Vulture posted an oral history of Beyoncé’s performance of “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks¹ at the 50th Country Music Awards (CMAs).
What was supposed to be a joyous performance became known for its hostile and racist reactions from both certain established members of Country Music and from its viewers.
Beyoncé’s upcoming album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, is seen by many as a direct response to the hostility she and The Chicks received due to their performance.
In a statement, Knowles even stated the album “was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed … and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the [history of country music](http://www.instagram.com/reel/C3q9xMBJ36y/?igsh=NGVjM3gxOHA2eXI0) and studied our rich musical archive.”
Highlights from the article (including quotes from multiple parties – excluding Beyoncé and The Chicks themselves – *who did not comment for this article*):
• The executive producer of the CMAs contacted Beyoncé about performing – as he felt “Daddy Lessons” was the perfect fit for the show.
• Beyoncé agreed – but only if The Chicks would collaborate with her on the performance.
• After their blacklisting, The Chicks vowed never to perform for The CMAs again – but agreed to do so because Beyoncé asked them.
• True to Beyoncé’s well-known work ethic – they performed for weeks until it was second nature…
• …but miraculously was able to keep the collaboration secret until the night of.
• Despite giving an incredible performance – the performance was met with immediate hostility by members of the audience.
• Such as **Alan Jackson** – who actually *stood up from the front row and walked out in the middle of the performance* (!)
• And an unidentified woman in the audience actually **yelled ‘Get that Black b!tch off the stage!’**
• The CMAs removed clips of the performance from its official social-media accounts. They were bombarded with racist comments and emails. In an interview with Howard Stern, Natalie Maines said she felt as if the CMA caved to pressure.
So this (IMO) helps provide a clearer picture of Beyoncé’s mindset for doing Cowboy Carter and the much-discussed reasoning behind her visuals.
¹(Until 2020, known as The Dixie Chicks.)
by Psychological_Egg345
1 Comment
The way they were treated at the CMAs was always shitty, but the fact that Beyonce was contacted to perform by the CMAs specifically, only for them to not come to her defense after she faced abject racism in person and online makes the situation even worse. **** them, hope she pays them dust after Cowboy Carter comes out.