Maren Morris Praises Country Music's Current Wave of Women: 'They're All Crushing It'

Maren Morris has publicly praised the current generation of female country artists, describing what she sees as a long-awaited shift in the genre's commercial landscape after years of sparse representation at the top. During an appearance with Mack and Jen on SiriusXM Hits 1, Morris singled out Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney as artists currently leading a wave of simultaneous success.

The Details

In the interview, Morris expressed enthusiasm for the commercial momentum that Langley, Wilson, and Moroney have built. 'I'm so excited that they're all crushing it, because for a very long time it was pretty sparse having women dominate the charts and awards and just be paid what they're worth,' Morris said, according to Billboard. 'It's amazing to see that tide turning and them all just having this huge moment right now simultaneously without competition.' Morris's comments reflect data showing increased female representation on country radio. Billboard's May 1 Country Airplay report found that women, whether appearing as solo artists or in collaboration, accounted for 39 of the 241 top-10 Country Airplay entries over the previous five years. Among solo-billed female artists during that same span, the report ranked Lainey Wilson at the top with six top-10 entries. Megan Moroney followed with four top-10 entries, and Ella Langley reached three. The recognition extends beyond radio metrics into the current awards season. The Academy of Country Music's 2026 nominations place both Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney in the Entertainer of the Year category. All three artists received nominations for Female Artist of the Year. Specific recordings also earned recognition in the Single of the Year category: Megan Moroney for '6 Months Later,' Ella Langley for 'Choosin' Texas,' and Lainey Wilson for 'Somewhere Over Laredo.' Morris broadened her praise to include the songwriters behind recent releases. She highlighted the quality of songwriting and the caliber of projects these artists have assembled. 'I'm friends with a lot of them and I'm super proud that they're on these big projects,' Morris said, according to Billboard. 'The songwriting is just getting so good and that always makes me excited to continue writing.' Morris also noted that there is a great deal of quality music happening in country right now, which she tied to her own continued desire to write and record.

Context

The commercial and awards visibility Morris identified follows specific recent milestones for each of the three artists. Wilson became one of country music's biggest live draws after winning four CMA Awards in 2023, according to Billboard. Moroney's debut album Tennessee Orange reached the top five of the Billboard 200. Langley previously reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart with 'You Look Like You Love Me,' a collaboration with Riley Green, according to Billboard. Morris herself has maintained an active recording career parallel to her public commentary on the genre. The artist released her most recent studio album, Intermission, in 2023.

What's Next

Audience members interested in hearing Morris's complete assessment of the current country music landscape and her full remarks about the artists can catch the interview with Mack and Jen on SiriusXM Hits 1. The program is scheduled to air at noon Eastern Time on weekdays.