BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va.. (Dec. 7, 2023) – The public is invited to a free and insightful virtual Speaker Session at 7 p.m. ET, Dec. 12 via Zoom with renowned historian and instructor, Dr. McKenzie Isom, as she delves into the intriguing dynamics of women in country music in the 1970s, including Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, and Tammy Wynette. This online-only program is brought to you by the folks at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, Va.-Tenn.
“Dr. Isom’s informative talk is companion programming to our special exhibit I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music, which comes to a close on Dec. 31,” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers. “We encourage everyone to join the conversation via Zoom and visit the museum to take in the exhibit during the holidays.”
Dr. Isom, an instructor of History at Trine University, specializes in 20th century U.S. history, gender studies, and popular culture. Her dissertation, titled “Rustic Roots and Rhinestone Cowboys: Navigating Southern Identity, Authenticity, and Gender in the Long 1970s Country Music Industry” is a nuanced exploration of the challenges faced by female artists within the highly traditional conservative country music landscape of that era.
Despite the ongoing development of the study of country music, Dr. Isom notes a lack of attention to how the industry’s emphasis on authenticity impacted the personal and professional lives of its female artists. The Speaker Session aims to shed light on the restrictive atmosphere and working culture that women in country music regularly struggled against during this pivotal period.
To attend this free, virtual event, interested participants are asked to pre-register online at the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org to receive a link to the Zoom meeting.