Kelsea Ballerini kicks off CMT's digital series 'Next Women of Country LIVE'
LOS ANGELES -- CMT is putting female country music artists in the spotlight with its new digital series Next Women of Country LIVE.
Each week, the series will feature an exclusive new performance by a female singer in country music.
It kicks off on Tuesday with Kelsea Ballerini's acoustic version of “Peter Pan," which Mashable is exclusively debuting (above).
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"We are constantly watching for female artists, signed or independent, who we feel have the talent to go the distance," Leslie Fram, CMT's SVP of Music Strategy and Talent, told Mashable in an email. "Many of these artists have spent years performing, writing and developing their craft, and we want this franchise to offer the recognition and exposure that they deserve."
The series builds on CMT’s existing “Next Women of Country” campaign, which began in 2013 as a way to give more attention and airplay to emerging female artists. As a result, many artists on the roster reached critical acclaim and went on two-female fueled tours.
"CMT has always supported artists on all of our platforms with music videos, ‘behind the scenes’ clips, and various interviews and bonus content," Fram said. “Next Women of Country LIVE gives fans a chance to see their favorite artists perform in the intimate environment of the CMT Studio, bringing it all back to what matters most – the artists and their music."
The digital series continues efforts to bring female musicians to the forefront.
"It's been awesome to form a community between all of us where we can support and love each other through the ups and downs of trying to making it in the music industry."
"I love that this franchise is highlighting the women of country music right now," Ballerini told Mashable in an email statement. "It is truly changing the conversation from 'where are the girls in country radio?' to 'here are all the girls in country radio.' It's been awesome to form a community between all of us where we can support and love each other through the ups and downs of trying to making it in the music industry."
Additional performances for Next Women of Country LIVE will feature artists Cassadee Pope, Maren Morris, Clare Dunn, Cam, Kelleigh Bannen, RaeLynn, Mickey Guyton, Jana Kramer, Lauren Alaina, Maggie Rose, Brooke Eden, Lucie Silvas, Lindsay Ell, Carly Pearce and Brandy Clark.
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Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
