Miranda Lambert Reflects on Her Struggle and Success in Country Music

Miranda Lambert believes she deserves more recognition for her efforts to be included in the world of country music. Known for her hit song, “The House That Built Me,” Lambert has witnessed significant changes in the industry since she started topping the charts as one of the few prominent women in the genre.

In a recent Popcast episode, Lambert discussed the expectations placed on women in country music during the early 2000s. “Early 2000’s, that was kind of the thing,” Lambert said. “It’s like, dress sexy, be sexy, be a pretty girl. And I was like, ‘I’m a gun-totin’ redneck.’ I wanted to make sure that it didn’t get lost in translation.”

Both Lambert and Carrie Underwood fought for their places in the male-dominated country music scene. According to Lambert, they experienced significant challenges, especially around 2010 when female artists were almost absent from the scene. “Carrie Underwood and I, made it through pretty much a solid at least 7 years of only guy artists coming out of country music,” Lambert explained.

“It’s like, ‘Wow this is really off kilter a little bit,’ and now, I feel like, it is really balanced,” Lambert commented, attributing this balance to changes in how music is consumed, allowing room for everyone.

Lambert recently attended one of Underwood’s shows, and Underwood returned the gesture by attending a Lambert concert. This interaction highlighted how their paths rarely crossed due to limited female representation. “Carrie and I went to each other’s residencies in Vegas, and it was a really cool bonding moment because, first of all, her show is incredible,” Lambert shared.

She expressed gratitude for the current state of country music. “It’s gotten so much better, and I’m so thankful that there’s room for a crowd now. Everybody has something different,” said Lambert.

Lambert emphasized the importance of diversity in voices and messages in country music. “All the voices can be heard, all the messages can be heard. You don’t have to love them all, but at least there’s a way to hear them,” Lambert concluded.