Early Inspiration for "Country Carter"!? #MusicMonday

As Beyonce stakes claim to the first female black artist to hit #1 on the Billboard Country Charts …

I’m giving all sort of props to Beyonce and her new country album “Country Carter.” It is innovative, nearly perfect, and inspiring. Perhaps even in that order. Inspiring because it’s innovative and inspiring because it’s executed flawlessly. We should all aim for that in our own work. I know I do and Beyonce is pushing me to try even harder. Truly.

But like anything, there’s rarely a first. More accurately, there are early inspirations that push us to be innovative, to be perfect, and to be inspiring ourselves.

So as we look to the brilliance that is “Country Carter” and to Beyonce being the first black female artist to hit #1 on the Country Music Charts, we have to acknowledge that there were some early pioneers who attempted it first and who paved the way. I think Beyonce would be among the first to stand up and do the same acknowledgement.

So here’s Beyonce in 2024 …

And here’s Donna Summer as a guest on the Eddie Rabbitt show in 1983, entering on a horse and singing a country medley.

Included in that medley is a song that Donna wrote with her husband that became a #1 country song for Dolly Parton. So yes, accolades to Beyonce but we have to recognize from once we came.

We all learn from those who came before us … especially true in marketing. We all learn from those around us, before us, and even after us. Every day. Donna, Dolly, Beyonce.

What’s your experience? JIM