In late March, Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter, her first country record and eighth studio project overall. The record itself took several years to make, but has roots that run far deeper. Some of its influences stretch back to Beyoncé’s youth growing up in Houston, TX, and many date back far further, like the appearance of the legendary but under-recognized Black country artist, Linda Martell.
Below, Good Country breaks down both Cowboy Carter’s rollout, as well as some of the pivotal moments in Beyoncé’s life and career that helped shape the sprawling, highly acclaimed LP.
2001
Beyoncé, a native of Houston, makes her Houston Rodeo debut with Destiny’s Child. She’d go on to appear at the Rodeo in 2004 and 2007.
April 23, 2016
Beyoncé releases her landmark album Lemonade, which features the country song “Daddy Lessons.”
November 2, 2016
Beyoncé releases a “Daddy Lessons” remix featuring the Chicks. She joins the trio to perform the song at the CMA Awards, drawing unexpected ire from conservative country fans and artists.
December 2016
The Recording Academy reveals “Daddy Lessons” is ineligible in country categories for the upcoming GRAMMY Awards.
2019
Beyoncé begins writing Cowboy Carter, a process that will take five years to complete.
December 7, 2020
Dolly Parton expresses her wish for Beyoncé to cover “Jolene.”
July 29, 2022
Beyoncé releases Renaissance, her seventh studio album and the first LP of a planned trilogy. The record celebrates the house and disco music scenes pioneered by Black and queer artists. Though Beyoncé initially planned to release Cowboy Carter first, she chose to release Renaissance instead, saying in a press release that “we deserved to dance” after the pandemic.
February 4, 2024
Beyoncé attends the Grammy Awards in high-fashion western wear.
(source)
February 11, 2024
Beyoncé teases new music during a Super Bowl ad for Verizon. She subsequently shares an Instagram reel alluding to “Act II” and featuring the Chuck Berry song “Maybellene.” She releases two new tracks: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” “Texas Hold ‘Em” features the world-renowned Rhiannon Giddens on banjo and viola.
February 2024
“Texas Hold ‘Em” grows wildly popular, though country radio stations resist playing the song. Oklahoma radio station KYKC comes under fire for telling a listener, “We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station.” After public outcry, the station adds the song to its playlist.
February 20, 2024
With “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Beyoncé becomes the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
March 19, 2024
Beyoncé shares the album cover for Cowboy Carter, writing on Instagram, “I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you. My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.”
(Photo by Blair Caldwell)
March 27, 2024
Beyoncé shares the Cowboy Carter tracklist, revealing collaborations with Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell.
March 29, 2024
Beyoncé releases Cowboy Carter, to significant acclaim. The record features contributions from Black country icon Linda Martell, as well as contemporary Black country artists Brittney Spencer, Tanner Adell, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy and Willie Jones. Other featured artists are Miley Cyrus, Post Malone and Shaboozey.
Explore the interpolations and songs referenced on Cowboy Carter here.
Photo Credit: Beyoncé by Mason Poole.
