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CMT Reveals Next Women of Country Class of 2020

Tanya Tucker Will Headline Next Women of Country Tour

CMT has announced the 2020 Class of its Next Women of Country franchise at today’s 7th annual event at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The 11 artists joining the prestigious Next Women roster are: Abbey Cone, Avenue Beat, Caylee Hammack, Gabby Barrett, Hailey Whitters, Kylie Morgan, Madison Kozak, Renee Blair, Sykamore, Tiera and Walker County. Event co-hosts Leslie Fram, SVP, Music Strategy & Talent, CMT, and country icon Martina McBride made the announcement.

At the event, each newly-named act performed one song onstage in an acoustic, writer’s round format. This 2020 Class marks a total of 75 female acts that have been named as part of the program since its inception in 2013.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Hailey Whitters, Caylee Hammack, Gabby Barrett, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos and Sam Backoff of Avenue Beat attends the 2019 CMT Next Women Of Country Celebration at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 12, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

Brandi Carlile accepted the 2019 CMT Next Women of Country “Impact Award,” an honor presented to a female artist that has impacted songwriting, recording, radio airplay, record sales, streams, media impressions, awards and touring in country music over the past year. The award was presented by singer-songwriter Brandy Clark (Class of 2016) and Change the Conversation co-founder Tracy Gershon.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Martina McBride, Leslie Fram, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, and Tracy Gershon attend the 2019 CMT Next Women Of Country Celebration at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 12, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

In a surprise appearance, the legendary Tanya Tucker appeared onstage as Carlile announced that Tucker will headline the upcoming CMT Next Women of Country Tour in early 2020. Supporting acts and cities to be announced. The 2020 tour is sponsored for the second consecutive year by Burlington Stores.

Singer-songwriter Mickey Guyton kicked off the event with a special performance of her new single, “Sister,” performing with fellow Next Women of Country alumnae with fellow female artists Clare Dunn (2014), Leah Turner (2018), Rachel Wammack (2018) & Tenille Townes (2018).

A staunch advocate for country music’s female artists, CMT launched its “Next Women of Country” campaign in an effort to support and expose developing female talent, both signed and unsigned, in a male-dominated format. The campaign showcases emerging female artists across all CMT screens throughout the year.

Notable alumnae of the franchise who have achieved both commercial and critical acclaim include Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Lauren Alaina, RaeLynn and Lindsay Ell.

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