Spotlight On: MARGO PRICE
ABOUT this week’s podcast guest + radio hour featured interview:
In December of last year, the New York Times ran a feature article titled: “The Unstoppable, Unsinkable, Uninhibited Margo Price”. That apt headline put a huge smile on my face, feeling joy at the well-deserved, and hard won attention and critical acclaim Margo has been receiving, and the recognition of a woman who has literally given everything she has to music, on her own terms. Today I'll add another word to that list. Undeniable. From the first notes of her 2016 debut Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and now author Margo Price was unquestionably a voice and an artist that was not just one to watch, but one to bet on. It debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, the first time in the history of the chart (which started in 1964) a solo female has debuted in the top 10 with her first release without also having any history on the Hot Country singles chart. Those who have been on the ride over the last seven years and four more albums to date - 2017’s All American Made, That’s How Rumors Get Started in 2020, and this year’s Strays and it’s recently released companion Strays II - have cheered Margo on while she racked up a Grammy nomination in 2018, and over the years, multiple Americana Music Award nominations, including this year where Margo earned nominations for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the Americana Honors & Awards, tying for the most nominations of any single artist in 2023. But her musical accolades aren’t the only thing we fans have cheered on. Margo is an outspoken activist, feminist, and trailblazer in her own right. She is the first female artist to sit on the board of directors of farm aid, alongside Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Willie Nelson. She has spoken out about gun control, and abortion rights. And her 2022 memoir, Maybe We’ll Make It even further reinforced what was apparent from the beginning: Margo Price is a SHERO. She has overcome personal tragedy, music industry sexism, and alcohol addiction. Now celebrating two decades and counting of a life and career in Nashville with her incredibly talented songwriting partner, husband and bandmate Jeremy Ivey, along with the release of the newly expanded album Strays & Strays II, we are thrilled to welcome Margo Price as this week’s SHERO in the Spotlight.
A condensed version of this interview is featured on the SHEROES Radio hour this week. Here’s what else you’ll hear:
New music from Yaeji, Les Amazones D’Afrique, Brittany Howard
And we celebrate some SHERO BIRTHDAYS:
Kathleen Hanna (11/12)
Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt (11/14)
Petula Clark (11/15)
Listen to the syndicated public radio SHEROES Radio hour, below: