SC native Linda Martell garners Nashville tribute

Country music pioneer Linda Martell may not have received her flowers during her career, but the South Carolina native was honored with a well-deserved celebration at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) on her birthday.

Sun Records and the museum hosted the event on Martell’s birthday, June 4, in the heart of country music — Nashville. The evening began at 6 p.m. with opening remarks from the museum's Executive Director and President Bill Jeffries as well as Chase Gregory, senior director of A&R and sync at Sun Records.

"For Black Music Month, our audiences have been asking to hear more about the Black voices of country music. And there couldn't be a better way to do that than to honor Linda Martell tonight," Jeffries said. "As the first commercially successful Black female artist in country music, Linda's legacy is one of courage, talent and undeniable influence. Her story is powerful, and it's one that should never be forgotten."

Gregory echoed those same sentiments while kicking off the event.

"In my opinion, saying she was a pioneer is a bit of an understatement," he said. "In a segregated South during the Jim Crow era, she paved the way for black artists, especially those seeking to be in country music."

The evening was filled with celebratory moments, including a birthday cake, a rendition of “Happy Birthday,” live performances, and an onstage panel featuring country artists Dara Tucker and Amythyst Kiah, Blessing Offor, and Saaneah.

The panelists spoke about their experiences as country and genre-bending artists, emphasizing how Martell’s sacrifices paved the way for their own journeys.

"The racism and the inequalities in the industry were way higher than they are now. They're still pretty high, but to be Black and to be a woman that's doing country music, I can only imagine the intense amount of hardship (Martell) went through," Saaneah said. "But her risks allowed me to risk."

The program also included a video tribute honoring Martell’s legacy. In the video, Rissi Palmer put it plainly, "Her album 'Color Me Country' was the foundation I, and every Black woman in country music who came after her, have built a career on — whether we realize it or not.”

Linda Martell made history as the first Black woman to land on Billboard’s country charts in 1969 with her hit “Color Him Father.” That same year, she broke another barrier as the first Black woman to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage — country music’s ultimate rite of passage. She went on to perform at the Opry a total of 12 times.

Linda Martell's career: An unbreakable legacy

After the success of her single, Martell released her only album, "Color Me Country" on Plantation Records in 1970. After its release, Martell grew uncomfortable with the label’s name and the owner’s decision to focus on the success of Jeannie C. Riley’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.” She eventually left the label, but her career met more challenges.

In interviews, she revealed that label owner Shelby Singleton threatened legal action against record companies that attempted to sign her, effectively blackballing her from mainstream country music. By the mid-1970s, Martell was forced to retire from the country music scene.

Though she hasn’t released new music since the 1970s and remained largely overlooked for decades, a new generation of Black country artists has brought renewed attention to her impact on the genre.

Beyoncé features Linda Martell: A seed planted over 50 years ago blossoms

Until Beyoncé topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2024, Martell held the record for the highest-charting country single by a Black woman at No. 22. Of course, the now 84-year-old trailblazer opened up doors for Black artists in country music, despite not always getting the recognition she deserved.

Last year, her influence was reinforced when Beyoncé Knowles-Carter brought Martell on as a collaborator for "Cowboy Carter." Martell is featured on two tracks from Beyoncé's eighth studio album, "Spaghettii" and "The Linda Martell Show."

Thanks to the track "Spaghettii," Martell earned her first Grammy nomination, alongside breakout country star Shaboozey, who was also featured on the track.

During the 2025 award show, Beyoncé took home album of the year, the top prize of the evening, and during her speech she made sure to honor Martell.

"I want to dedicate this to Miss Martell, and I hope we keep pushing forward and opening doors," she said.

Other Black country artists such as Mickey Guyton and Kane Brown have also sang her praises throughout their careers. At the 2021 CMT Music Awards, Martell, now in her 80s, was honored with the second annual CMT Equal Play Award recognizing her legacy as one of country's first prominent Black female artists. 

In the words of Tucker, "She planted a tree whose shade she will never sit under, but many of us will."