More On That Country Radio is Sexist Story

We’ve heard from a few more Country Radio PD’s about our Wednesday story where Billboard Magazine writer Jon Freeman called Country Radio sexist for not playing enough female artists such as Miranda Lambert. 36 year radio vet Sue Wilson (pictured) is the VP of Operations for Rubber City Radio’s WQMX in Akron. Wilson says this touchy subject was even discussed at a recent CRS Agenda Meeting. But it was unclear on just how to do a panel on it? “How do we address an issue that seems like there will be no solution in a 60 minute discussion because –who has the real answers?”

Here’s more of what Wilson thinks about the subject. “As for me, one of a limited number of female programmers in the country format, I have often asked if it is a “gatekeeper” problem. Are the decision-makers biased? From the people who sign the artists, to those that pick the singles to those that decide whether or not to play them…are they biased against women? I’d like to think not. Some thoughts that were expressed again around tomato gate… was that women don’t like to listen to women…how can that be true when in pop radio TONS of women have hit after hit on a format that also targets women?”

Wilson goes on to say, in the end, it’s all about odds…and the song. “If there are 12 solo male artists to 1 female artist, the odds the male artists will have songs that make it–and many that don’t make it. But when a woman puts out a song –it has to be 10 times as good as the 12 male songs vying for the same space. The standards are higher for women. The stakes are higher. And if that woman has 2 or even 3 songs that don’t hit–she’s usually dropped. That My Church wasn’t a #1 and “My Girl” was makes me shake my head. Country radio will be playing “My Church” in gold for a long time…and I doubt the same can be said for the former…and dozens of #1’s that really weren’t.”

As for the article…Wilson agrees with much of what Freeman wrote. “One article after another has been stating the same thing for awhile now…but nothing changes. As for my station, we are passionate about supporting good music and new artists- music, whether form male or female artists. We have played various singles from all the women mentioned in this article. As for Miranda’s Tin Man, I think it might have been more about timing. There were so many ballads that were released at the same time…that I think Tin Man got lost. Nashville gave us nothing but bro for a few years and then over-corrected with a more traditional sound…right about the time warm weather was hitting and we needed some tempo.”

In frustration over the issue, Wilson even blogged about it a few months ago.
Sue can be reached at [email protected]

Another one of Radio Ink’s Top Country PD’s, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he’s heard this argument and it’s just not true. “I think it’s a bizarre comment by an uninformed writer. We played her (Miranda Lambert) song. It didn’t test. We fully supported her concert here last year, it didn’t sell well. We played Maren Morris’ song-and featured her at our annual “new faces” type concert event. Her song didn’t test. We played Cam’s song. It didn’t test. (And we do a LOT-and I’m not exaggerating, a LOT of LOCAL research.). I would KILL for playable female acts. I don’t have the answer other than we just don’t have great material right now. (That argument could be made about the current state of the entire format aside from female acts.).”

“Miranda was VERY much supported when she had hits…for this uninformed writer to say what they are saying, is a shame. (And that’s not false pride from someone EXTREMELY passionate and married to our industry until death do we part. The writer just doesn’t know the facts.). What this writer is also woefully unaware of is the ludicrous chart game that labels play thanks to 360 deals, and that’s a completely DIFFERENT can of worms. “Oh, don’t worry about playing that song anymore, we’re done with it on the charts, instead we want to go with our label mate xxxx.” That’s just dumb. There are VERY respected female Program Directors in our industry in every size market. They’re clearly not sexist. A hit is a hit and sales don’t always equate a radio hit. Look at other acts that sell REALLY WELL-Kane Brown for example…and he has VERY nominal radio exposure. No one is playing the race card with him. Chris Stapleton sells REALLY well, not a LOT of radio airplay. What’s the argument there about “chart position.” I think that the format is in a bit of a strange place right now…we’re waiting for the next NEW core artist to give the format its voice. I, along with other programmers, would dearly love it to be a female act.”