One year. One year since I published this blog with 14 articles on it. And now one year later, with more than a hundred articles, and over 1,100 twitter followers, I'm so proud of what Queens of Country has become. I didn't intend for it to be like this, having the feeling that people would miss my blog if I stopped posting. But somehow I do feel like that. The goal of this blog is to introduce mainstream country fans to women who aren't played on the radio, women who don't have record deals, or have albums out yet. Or just women who don't have much media promotion. The goal is to introduce people to these incredibly talented women who don't get nearly enough credit for how amazing they really are. And I think that one year later, that goal has basically been met. I've gotten countless notes from country fans, from readers of the blog, and from even artists who tell me that they are so glad that my blog introduced them to a certain female country singer/songwriter. I even got an email recently from an artist I reviewed saying that she got 3 gigs based on the list that I put her on. That is the kind of thing that makes this all worth it.
Women in country music are why the blog was started, and they are why it will continue. 2015 was a step forward, but not nearly enough to make a real difference. 2016 seems to be looking up though. With all the buzz around Maren Morris, Brooke Eden, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Myles, and other women expected to be big this new year, as well as new singles expected from the women who had success in country music this last year (Kelsea Ballerini with "Peter Pan," Carrie Underwood with "Heartbeat," Maddie & Tae with "Shut Up and Fish," and Cam with a new single) 2016 should be another step forward. Of course, there could be so much buzz around artists like Morris, have all the stations add them, and then have their songs never climb up the charts (Mickey Guyton's "Better Than You Left Me" was the prime example of this) but country music is a game. It's all a game and sometimes things work out, and sometimes they don't. Sometimes you can predict what country fans want, and sometimes you can't. 2016 has a good vibe though, and hopefully it will be one of those years where things do work out for the ladies.
Queens of Country will continue in 2016 like normal. It's just me, and I can only post so much, so I try my best to meet deadlines set for myself, but sometimes life gets in the way. The 'Women on the Charts Wednesdays' will continue for a bit, moving onto Canadian artists, until there aren't any women left on the charts to highlight, which hopefully will not happen for a while as more women to break onto the charts. I have lots of ideas for lists and articles and features which will come to life at some point. Always feel free to DM me on Twitter (@QueensoCountry and I have open messaging, so you can send me a message without me following you) or email me (aileenjames.qoc@gmail.com) with questions, requests, and comments. I'm just so glad all of y'all are here with me for this amazing experience.
Much love!
— Aileen James
Queens of Country will continue in 2016 like normal. It's just me, and I can only post so much, so I try my best to meet deadlines set for myself, but sometimes life gets in the way. The 'Women on the Charts Wednesdays' will continue for a bit, moving onto Canadian artists, until there aren't any women left on the charts to highlight, which hopefully will not happen for a while as more women to break onto the charts. I have lots of ideas for lists and articles and features which will come to life at some point. Always feel free to DM me on Twitter (@QueensoCountry and I have open messaging, so you can send me a message without me following you) or email me (aileenjames.qoc@gmail.com) with questions, requests, and comments. I'm just so glad all of y'all are here with me for this amazing experience.
Much love!
— Aileen James
Make me happy by following Queens of Country on Twitter (@QueensoCountry) and Instagram (@queensofcountry) and liking our Facebook Page! All of the social medias will be regularly updated with new reviews/articles/features etc. And, if you want new posts in your email inbox the morning after they are published, subscribe to Queens of Country here. Email aileenjames.qoc@gmail.com for feature/review requests. Keep in mind that although I try to reply promptly, I might not always, so sorry about that! And if I tell you I will check out the song and don't post a review, there is a reason. There are a lot of songs/EP/albums in a list to be reviewed, so sometimes I don't review a certain song at a certain time, but please continue sending music!