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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 13 OctOber 2018

Country women applaud CMT for all-female awards show

By KRISTIN M. HALL Aretha Franklin with Brandi
Associated Press Carlile, and the women
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — from Little Big Town will be
Country icon Loretta Lynn singing with soul legend
doesn’t mince words when Gladys Knight. Scott will
it comes to CMT’s decision be singing with pop singer
to honor all-female artists, Tori Kelly and gospel singer
including Carrie Under- Kirk Franklin. Leslie Fram,
wood, Miranda Lambert CMT’s senior vice president
and more, at its annual Art- of music strategy, said the
ists of the Year show, where timing just felt right for CMT
Lynn will be recognized as to make the change this
an artist of a lifetime. year. For the past couple
“It’s about dadgum time of years, award shows from
that we recognize women the Oscars to the Grammys
and not just country music have been trying to ad-
but all music,” Lynn, 86, said dress a lack of diversity in
in a statement to The As- nominees and winners.
sociated Press. “A big yee “And if you look at all these
haw to CMT for doing so.” artists individually, they
The coal miner’s daughter have all had amazing ac-
has been blazing trails for complishments individually,
women in country music whether it’s professionally
since the 1960s, and she’ll or personally and things
be honored on Oct. 17 in This combination photo shows country music artists, Loretta Lynn, Carrie Underwood, Miranda that they do in their com-
Nashville, Tennessee, by Lambert, Hillary Scott, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini, munity, so it really made
her friend and actress Sissy who will be honored at CMT’s annual Artists of the Year show on Oct. 17 in Nashville, Tenn. sense this year,” Fram said.
Spacek, who won an Oscar Associated Press “We have to support each
for portraying her in the hit Town, Hillary Scott of Lady ing female artists that CMT form, which is a massive other,” Lambert said. “It’s
biopic. Antebellum, Maren Morris supports. Ballerini said she platform in country music, not an industry supporting
While women have been and Kelsea Ballerini. worried that the lack of to honor only women is not us. It’s us believing in each
struggling to be played on Ballerini’s debut album re- women in country music just conversation, but actu- other and respecting each
radio and on streaming sulted in three consecu- was just going to remain a al change. That’s a massive other’s art and I think that
playlists or earn nomina- tive No. 1 country radio conversation in the indus- step forward.” it also pushes us to be bet-
tions for country awards, singles, the first time any try, without any real action The night will feature the ter when someone is re-
CMT decided to cele- female artist had done so to correct it. honorees in cross-genre ally great. You need a little
brate the ladies this year, in the genre, and she was “Finally we’re seeing peo- collaborations with special competition. As long as the
with honors going also to part of CMT’s Next Women ple actually do stuff about guests. Ballerini will be sing- women keep delivering, I
Kimberly Schlapman and of Country, a yearly install- it,” Ballerini said. “CMT ing with Alison Krauss, Mor- think it’s just building it up,
Karen Fairchild of Little Big ment of new and upcom- choosing to use their plat- ris will be doing a tribute to building it up.” q

Beyonce, Jay Z appear at City of Hope cancer charity event

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. known for signing publish- ognizing those that have
Associated Press ing deals with Jay Z, Usher, helped further music, film
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) Kanye West and Snoop and entertainment.
— Beyonce paid homage Dogg. His roster of song- Previous Spirit of Life award
to a high-profile music ex- writers at Warner/Chappell recipients include Quincy
ecutive being honored at a includes Lil Wayne, Bruno Jones, Clive Davis, Irving
charity event to raise mon- Mars and Timbaland. Azoff and Mo Ostin.
ey for cancer research. Both Beyonce and Jay Z Music mogul Diddy, singer
The singer’s vocals soared appeared at the black- Usher, former NBA play-
as she performed three tie charity event after the er Chauncey Billups and
ballads including her 2009 couple wrapped up their some of Platt’s family mem-
smash hit “Halo” and On The Run II tour about a bers took part in a video
“Ava Maria” after saluting week ago. dedicated to the music ex-
the character of Warner/ “I can’t think of anyone ecutive. Platt’s oldest son,
Chappell Music Publishing more deserving of this Jonathan Platt, was diag-
CEO Jon Platt at the City of award than my brother, nosed with diabetes.
Hope gala near Los Ange- In this April 28, 2018, file photo, Jay-Z and Beyonce watch Game Jon Platt,” Jay Z told more “As an African-American,
les on Thursday night. She 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series between than 1,000 attendees. “He’s I want to say that we’re
took the stage following the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans in known as ‘Big Jon’ and he more than just athletes
her husband, Jay Z, who Oakland, Calif. has a beautiful soul.” and music artists. ... We’re
presented Platt with the Associated Press City of Hope is a treatment CEOs,” Platt said.
Spirit of LIfe award during Platt, who will soon be leav- “You have touched so center for cancer, diabetes Pharrell Williams hosted the
a charity event that raised ing his position at Warner/ many lives, mine included,” and other life-threatening star-studded event that in-
more than $6 million. Chappell to take on the she added. diseases raising more than cluded Quincy Jones, Dr.
“Most people lead with top role at Sony/ATV, the Jay Z called Platt the $118 million in the group’s Dre, Tiffany Haddish, Usher,
their ego, but you lead with top publishing company in “Obama of the music indus- 45-years. The award is the Timbaland, Derek Fisher
your heart,” Beyonce said the music business. try.” The music executive is group’s highest honor rec- and Rita Ora.q