As one of only five African American women to make the Billboard charts in the history of country music, Rissi Palmer has dedicated her career to expanding the bounds of the genre. Working to uplift women of color in music, Palmer announces the worldwide release of her new single, “Still Here,” featuring CMT Next Women of Country artist, Miko Marks. “Still Here” is the first from Palmer’s upcoming new album set for release later this year, as seen in Rissi Palmer: Still Here, directed by Dilsey Davis, which follows Palmer as she develops the album.
Palmer also hosts the “Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer” radio show, where she works with artists to challenge perceptions of country music. Palmer shared three songs with American Masters, representing how she sees the past, present and future of music.
Past: What is a country song that helped inspire you to become the artist you are today?
“My story begins like so many. I dreamed of singing on big stages and hearing my music played on the radio. My family listened to Patsy Cline and Aretha Franklin with equal fervor. My first managers, also Black women, encouraged me to pursue my dreams of country music stardom in spite of not seeing myself reflected in the genre’s artists,” said Palmer to The Tennessean.
Present: What is a contemporary song from outside the country genre that has excited you?
Future: Is there a song that you think represents where country music could be headed into the future?
Rising singer-songwriter Madeline Edwards made waves as part of Rissi Palmer’s “Color Me Country” showcase, featuring musicians at the forefront of Black, Indigenous and Latinx histories.
“I’m not just a pretty face down with ‘Nashville pageantry’ making okay songs. That proof will be in the product. I’m a career artist in Nashville for the long run,” said Edwards to The Tennessean. Palmer recommends Edwards’ single, “Hold My Horses” to envision the future of country music.
