The Song Suffragettes is a weekly writer's round held in Nashville, Tennessee at The Listening Room featuring rotating female country artists. Song Suffragettes is a collective of female singer-songwriters who stand together in the face of systemic gender disparity in the music industry.
Founder Todd Cassetty stated, “It's a collective of talent that is connected in more ways than I could ever imagine. It's now a community of strong women who sometimes write together, sometimes cry together, sometimes drink together, but always, always support each other. And it's that camaraderie aspect of the show that I'm most proud of now that we're nine years in. As for the latest highlights, the Song Suffragettes has now had some 400 women play the show since we started in 2014. Thirty-one of those women have gone on to get record deals while over 60 have gone on to get publishing deals.”
He continued, “Two great songwriters who are Song Suffragettes, Lainey Wilson, and Trannie Anderson landed the number one song in the country this week, ‘Heart Like a Truck.’ And CMT host, Kelsea Ballerini, played the second Song Suffragette show ever. Another Song Suffragette, Megan Maroney, just won CMT Breakthrough Female last night. And those are just a few of the stories of the great alumni we've had on this stage.”
To continue the celebration, the audience enjoyed two rounds of female singer/songwriters who sang original tunes, some for the very first time.
Round one was hosted by veteran Song Suffragette, Carter Faith, and included songs from Morgan Johnston, Valerie Ponzio, Robyn Ottolini, and Shelly Fairchild with Grace Bowers.
Round two was hosted by Haley Mae Campbell. Jessica Wills Fisher, Carmen Dianne, Gina Venier, and Victoria Banks sang songs they had written as well.
Mia Morris, the long-time Song Suffragette cajón player delighted the crowd with two upbeat original songs.
At the end of the performances, the annual Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award was given to Natalie Hemby, an honor bestowed on a female songwriter who has inspired the Song Suffragette women. The two-time Grammy winner has written hundreds of singles for artists, with 10+ going to number one. Some of Hemby's cuts include "White Liar" and "Only Prettier" by Miranda Lambert, "Pontoon" and "Tornado" by Little Big Town, "Drinks After Work" by Toby Keith, and "Automatic" by Miranda Lambert.
She is a member of the prestigious Highwomen. At the end of the show, she played an acoustic set for the audience.
Maggie Rose, who interviewed Natalie Hemby, did a number for the crowd as well.
Past Yellow Rose of Inspiration award winners include Laura Veltz, Ashley McBryde, and Kelsea Ballerini.
It was an evening that won’t soon be forgotten by those in attendance.
Click here for an extensive photo gallery of the event.
You can follow the Song Suffragettes on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and Twitter.
