Beyoncé’s country music pivot takes center stage in a new CNN documentary, shedding light on her profound impact on Nashville’s music scene.
Titled “Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance,” the CNN FlashDocs-backed project has been slated for release in late April. Reports indicate the documentary “examines the impact of how high-profile artists like Lil Nas X and Beyoncé are challenging the country music status quo and how Black artists in Nashville have been laying the foundation for this transformation for some time.”
Moreover, the documentary is chockfull of interviews with iconic Black voices from the country music scene including banjo player Rhiannon Giddens, as seen on Bey’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” John and T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne, Rissi Palmer, Aaron Vance, and Denitia.
Culture and country music experts Touré, Larisha Paul, Chris Molanphy, Kyle Coroneos, Keith Hill, and the Co-Directors of the Black Opry, Holly G. and Tanner D., have also been tapped to offer their expertise, per The Tennessean.
Ten days ahead of the album’s release on March 29, Beyoncé shed light on the moment that birthed her recent musical pivot, writing: “This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive.
“It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.”
She continued, “The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
Since it’s release on March 29, Cowboy Carter has garnered critical acclaim. First, Spotify crowned it as the most-streamed album in a single day of 2024. Then, Amazon Music hailed it as Bey’s biggest debut ever on their platform. The project, released on March 29, has also climbed the charts, landing spots atop the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums chart.
“Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance,” will premiere on Max on April 26th.