The Woke Music Machine Keeps Pushing Narratives—But Not Everyone’s Buying It
The American Music Awards returned in full force last night at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. And in true modern fashion, it didn’t take long before the woke music machine tried to rewrite history—again.
As up-and-coming country stars Megan Moroney and Shaboozey took the stage to present the award for Favorite Country Duo or Group, they launched into a pre-written script about the legacy of country music. Moroney dutifully read her line, claiming:
“That same year, Favorite Female Artist went to Lynn Anderson, and this award went to the Carter Family, who basically invented country music.”
Cue the side-eye seen ‘round the world.
Shaboozey didn’t even try to hide his reaction. The rising country-rap crossover artist turned to Moroney with an unmissable side glance, then let out an awkward laugh before moving on to the next part of the teleprompter. The moment instantly went viral, not because it was “cute,” but because it exposed something much deeper: nobody believes the woke version of country music history—not even the artists being used to sell it.
Let’s be clear: the Carter Family are absolutely foundational figures in country music. But to claim they "basically invented" the genre erases the diverse and complicated history of how country music actually came to be. And in today’s climate—especially post-Cowboy Carter—the narrative has flipped hard in the other direction.
Beyoncé’s album, and the media circus around it, sparked a tidal wave of revisionism, with headlines pushing the idea that African Americans invented country music. That oversimplified claim, repeated over and over again by blue-check “historians” and industry execs looking for diversity points, is no more accurate than saying the Carter Family did it alone.
Shaboozey’s reaction said what most people were thinking: Come on.
After the moment blew up online, Shaboozey posted on X to clarify his stance, writing:
“The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike.”
Well said. And also a polite way of saying, maybe let’s not turn country music into a cultural tug-of-war for woke points.
The truth is, country music came from everywhere—Appalachian fiddlers, freed slaves, vaqueros, German polka, Hawaiian steel guitar. It wasn’t invented by one person, one race, or one family. It evolved through time, through struggle, and through communities that didn’t have to grandstand about inclusion—they just played the music that moved them.
But that kind of nuance doesn’t fit on a teleprompter at an awards show, does it?
The AMAs—already under fire for handing country awards to pop crossovers like Beyoncé and Post Malone over actual country staples like Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs—just added more fuel to the fire. Now it’s not just about who gets honored… it’s about what narrative gets approved.
At a time when real country music is finally seeing a grassroots resurgence—from small towns to stadium tours—you’d think the industry might show a little respect to the truth.
Instead, we get awkward woke scripts and artists forced to play along—until one of them dares to give a side-eye.
And suddenly, we remember who’s really writing the story.
"Shaboozey Nashville2024 byBrianMansfield" by Brian mansfield is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
