Miranda Lambert Reflects on Industry Changes and Recognition

Miranda Lambert, a prominent figure in country music, speaks about her journey and the recognition she feels she deserves for breaking barriers in the industry. Known for hits like ‘The House That Built Me,’ Lambert recalls her early days when few women were prominent in country music. She discussed the industry’s expectations of female artists in the early 2000s.

On a recent podcast episode, Lambert shared her experiences and highlighted the challenges she faced, emphasizing her desire to stay true to her roots. “Early 2000’s, that was kind of the thing,” Lambert said. She challenged the notion that female artists had to conform to certain stereotypes.

“I was like, ‘I’m a gun-totin’ redneck,'” she stated, explaining her determination to present her authentic self.

Lambert acknowledged the solidarity she found with fellow musician Carrie Underwood. Both women struggled to secure their places in a male-dominated field during the early 2010s.

“In like 2010 era, it was like, there were no females at all,” Lambert revealed. “Carrie Underwood and I, made it through pretty much a solid at least seven years of only guy artists coming out of country music.”

The landscape of country music has evolved. Lambert notes how streaming services and digital platforms have opened doors for more artists. She appreciates the balance in today’s industry.

“I feel like we should get a ribbon for surviving that. Like, that was a hard time, honestly,” she added, explaining the shift towards inclusivity.

Recently, Lambert and Underwood had the opportunity to attend each other’s shows in Las Vegas, which strengthened their bond. Lambert praised Underwood’s performance, noting the significance of their shared experiences.

“We weren’t playing the same shows ever,” she said, highlighting how rare it was for female artists to headline major events alongside each other.

Today, Lambert feels optimistic. “It’s gotten so much better,” she comments, recognizing the diversity in voices and messages now present in country music. She believes each artist brings something unique to the audience.