Saginaw Radio: KCQ Tweet Ignites Response

The conversation about the lack of women on country music radio has carried on for years now, but it's particularly active last week, thanks to a tweet from WKCQ 98 KCQ Country in Saginaw, Mich..

After Variety's Chris Willman noted that he heard two songs by female artists in a row on a Los Angeles station, the KCQ Twitter account responded:

Ironically, KCQ was the one sticking its neck out. Their tweet soon racked up tons of critical comments, and eventually reached the likes of country stars Kacey Musgraves and Kelsea Ballerini.

By Thursday afternoon, KCQ had deleted their tweet. But they're only part of the reason why so many are weighing in today on women in country music.

On Wednesday night, TBS' "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" did a segment on the topic:

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I say this having been one of the few women who have been really embraced by country radio and having watched some of the bigger networks (and some of my friends that are pd’s and high up) make real changes in their programming to make it look more balanced. I am grateful. BUT. there is still inequality in airplay for women. And tweets like this prove it. And it’s my job to say it out loud and post about it, because of the girls moving to Nashville ( or wherever) that are ready to outrun and outwork and outplay everyone. They deserve to know that they have the same shot as the guys moving here to do the same. Country music- We have to fix this. For us and for them. How do we do it? Let’s talk. (Also- don’t lash out at this station, they are playing by rules set for them from their higher ups 😞)

A post shared by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on Jan 16, 2020 at 6:55am PST