CMT’s Equal Access & mtheory Host Showcase At City Winery Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Chantrel Reynolds, Mickey Guyton, Chris Housman, Leslie Fram, Carmen Dianne, Valerie Ponzio, Denitia, Julie Williams, Derek Campbell, Brandon Campbell, Shelly Fairchild, Angie K, Cameo Carlson, Tiffany Provenzano and Abbi Roth attend the CMT Equal Access Showcase. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Artists representing three Equal Access cohorts as well as some special guests performed as part of a showcase on Tuesday night (Sept. 3) at City Winery Nashville.
Co-hosted by Mickey Guyton and CMT’s Leslie Fram, the Equal Access showcase featured Angie K, Carmen Dianne, Chris Housman, Denitia, Julie Williams and Valerie Ponzio, along with special guests The Kentucky Gentlemen and Shelly Fairchild.
Launched in April 2022 by mtheory and CMT, the “Equal Access” program is one of the first collaborative efforts to address inequities in country music—both on and off the stage—by creating opportunities for commercial success. Spearheaded by an all-female team consisting of mtheory’s Cameo Carlson, Tiffany Provenzano and Chantrel Reynolds, alongside CMT’s Fram, Equal Access aims to proactively influence the continued disparity of underserved groups in country music. The year-long program provides a select group of participants with financial resources, training and networking opportunities introducing them to opportunities within country music and beyond.
