Reba McEntire Highlights Persistent Gender Disparity in Country Music.

Reba McEntire has witnessed significant evolution in country music throughout her nearly 50-year career, yet she emphasizes that there is still a considerable distance to cover regarding equal treatment for women.

McEntire, 69, who inked her first recording deal with Mercury Records in 1975, is highly qualified to comment on the industry’s ongoing insufficient treatment of her colleagues.

It may be improving, but it’s still not equal,” McEntire recently explained to the Associated Press. “We’re constantly struggling for it, always competing for airtime, streaming, and radio exposure. We’re just fighting to be noticed.”

The Country Music Hall of Famer expressed that she remains driven to continue the struggle because she has been deeply influenced by the important lessons from the pioneers who preceded her.

“Just like Dolly (Parton), Loretta (Lynn), Tammy (Wynette), and Barbara (Mandrell) did,” McEntire detailed. “We went out and searched for the best songs we could possibly find. If the guys were doing one show, we aimed to do three.”

She added, “We put in more effort. We recognized the need to work harder. We didn’t make a fuss or complain. We simply got on with the work.”

To grasp the existing disparities in country music, a glance at the Billboard charts is all that is necessary.

Beyoncé broke new ground as the first Black woman to lead the Hot Country Songs chart in February, marking the first time a woman reached No. 1 since Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” in November 2021.

Regarding Beyoncé, who debuted her country album “Cowboy Carter” in March, McEntire shared hopeful views that the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer’s involvement in the genre could promote greater diversity in country music.

“A great singer is a great singer,” McEntire remarked. “Your skin color should absolutely not matter.”

In fact, McEntire pointed out that her diverse fanbase is a testament to the gradual progress being made.

“I do see a lot of people of color at my concerts,” she noted with pleasure. “All I can say is, ‘Everyone is welcome, please join us. We’ll greet you with open arms.'”

McEntire is also preparing to host the 59th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, set to be broadcast live on Prime Video on Thursday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET.