Country Singer Tami Neilson Pulls Out the Big Guns

The seven women who are “leading the charge” in country music in 2020, according to Kath Devaney reporting for the ABC include New Zealand-based performer, Tami Neilson.

“It has been said that women in country music have had the hardest path to pave,” Devaney writes.

“In 2019, a study by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that female to male representation was 1/5. In fact, none of the top represented women were over the age of 40, with the report indicating that representation had actually gotten worse, not better.

“There is no doubt that the era of #metoo has ignited a new movement for equality, with women of country music leading the charge, bucking the system, shirking labels and genre boundaries, making music that resonates rather than discriminates.”

“Canadian-born Neilson has been busy honing her songwriting since 2008, and is reaping the rewards on her seventh LP, receiving the recognition she deserves,” Devaney writes.

“Her latest LP Chickaboom! has been met with critical acclaim, securing her a slot on the coveted Nelson clan festival Luck Reunion alongside some of the biggest artists in country music.

“Tami’s sound is raucous and soulful rockabilly with touches of twang, her vocals akin to Dusty Springfield, Janis Joplin and Sharon Jones. Tami is a force to be reckoned with.”

Original article by Kath Devaney, ABC, March 25, 2020.