Reba McEntire Laments the Tough Road of Women in Country Music

Reba McEntire is no stranger to awards for her work as a country music singer, but she does think that the industry presents a tougher challenge for women than for their male counterparts on the Nashville scene. McEntire won entertainer of the year at the 1994 Academy of Country Music Awards and, asked about the country genre being tough on women, noted, "It’s always been that way. Women just have to work harder to stay in the running with the guys. It’s always been that way and women always overachieve, in my opinion."

Carrie Underwood won the entertainer of the year award this year and McEntire noted that she’s very proud of the former "American Idol" winner. Said Underwood of her achievement, "I can’t wait for the day, which I hope is in the very near future, where having females in the category is no big deal whatsoever. It’s definitely a male-dominated genre of music and I think women actually, we’re doing really well, not just myself."

In 39 years, only five other female bands or solo artists – in addition to McEntire and Underwood - have won the entertainer of the year award, the most prestigious among those awarded by the Academy. Those include Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks. But it shouldn’t be that way according to McEntire, who added, "You’ll watch women – their shows – they’re more theatrical. They change clothes, they’re putting on the best show they possibly can." Asked why more women weren’t winning the award and topping the charts, McEntire replied, "I wish I knew."