Mickey Guyton has truly owned the year as a country artist, and tonight (Oct.,13), her milestones were honored, as she was awarded the Breakthrough Artist of the Year trophy at the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year.
Fans of Guyton know that the Breakthrough Artist of the Year title is one that suits her well.
Taking a look back at just some of her career highlights, Guyton made history as the first Black female solo artist to earn a GRAMMY nomination in a country category. Guyton also co-hosted the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS, but her successes are just getting started.
Guyton ensured that tonight’s audience would “Remember Her Name” by delivering a powerful acceptance speech. The trailblazing songstress reflected on her career journey and a turning point in her life.
“Y’all look at God,” Guyton began with tears in her eyes. “When the Lord closes a door somewhere, he opens a window. And in my case, he shattered a whole glass ceiling. Three years ago, this was not even a possibility for me, and I had completely given up on myself and my dream to sing a genre of music that I held so close to my heart. And I had a conversation with my husband, and he told me to live and to be authentically me, unapologetically, and write from my experience as a black woman living in America, and it changed my life, and I made it my life’s purpose to show that country music really is everyone’s music.”
Guyton then took the time to honor those watching at home who may see themselves within her. “Take a moment and step outside of yourselves, you will see and hear some of the most beautiful music that you will ever hear from so many amazing people. So, to that little seven-year-old black girl at home, that indigenous boy, that LGBTQ+ teen, and that Latino boy or girl and anyone marginalized or unseen, and yes, even the haters on social media, this is for you. I am here for you.”
Guyton concluded her speech adding, “I am my sister’s keeper, and thank you, Nashville, for this honor. I am blown away and so grateful. So many of you guys put me on a platform when you had no incentive to do so, and I will do the same moving forward for other up-and-coming artists. Thank you, Mom and Dad, thank you. I love my son, Thank you so much.”
Giving this impactful speech wasn’t the only time Guyton graced the stage at tonight’s show. She and Yola performed Guyton’s hit “Remember Her Name” with passion and pure talent.
The performance got the audience on their feet, leading to a standing ovation from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Check out the show-stopping duet below, and don’t forget to let us know which performance was your favorite by sending us a tweet @CS_Country.
https://youtu.be/jsAVchfGYKw
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