Megan Moroney Says Women Leading Country Music After Chart Dominance

The singer-songwriter discusses the rising visibility of women in the genre and what it means for the future.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:34pm

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In a recent interview, country music artist Megan Moroney spoke about the growing prominence of women in the genre, citing her own chart-topping success and that of peers like Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley. Moroney believes women are "on top of the mountain" in country music right now, with the three artists earning the most CMA Award nominations last year. Moroney's latest album "Cloud 9" debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts, making her the first woman to top the all-genre albums chart with a country album since Beyoncé in 2024. Langley also reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts with her single "Choosin' Texas" - a first for a woman in country music. Moroney sees this momentum as a sign of progress, though she acknowledges there is still work to be done to open more lanes for women in the genre.

Why it matters

Moroney's comments highlight the growing influence and commercial success of women in country music, a genre that has historically been male-dominated. Her chart-topping achievements, along with those of peers like Wilson and Langley, represent a significant shift in the landscape and signal a new era of female empowerment in the industry.

The details

Moroney, Wilson, and Langley each earned six nominations at the 59th annual CMA Awards in November 2025, the most of any artist and the first time three female solo artists have shared that distinction. Moroney's third studio album "Cloud 9" debuted at #1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts in February 2026, making her the first woman to top the all-genre albums chart with a country album since Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" in 2024. That same week, Langley's "Choosin' Texas" sat atop the Billboard Hot 100, making Langley and Moroney the first women who primarily record country music to simultaneously lead Billboard's premier all-genre song and album charts.

  • Moroney's "Cloud 9" album was released on February 20, 2026.
  • Langley's "Choosin' Texas" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts in February 2026.
  • Moroney, Wilson, and Langley each earned six CMA Award nominations in November 2025.

The players

Megan Moroney

A rising country music artist whose third studio album "Cloud 9" debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts in February 2026, making her the first woman to top the all-genre albums chart with a country album since Beyoncé in 2024.

Lainey Wilson

A country music artist who co-hosted the 2025 CMA Awards and topped the Country Airplay chart with her single "Somewhere Over Laredo" in 2025, earning GRAMMY nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.

Ella Langley

A country music artist whose single "Choosin' Texas" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts in February 2026, making her and Moroney the first women who primarily record country music to simultaneously lead Billboard's premier all-genre song and album charts.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like right now, we're on top of the mountain, personally. With artists like Lainey and Ella, us three were the most nominated at the CMA Awards, so not to say that it's in a perfect state, certainly we could always use some more women.”

— Megan Moroney (kicks99.com)

“I think to have women leading the pack and putting out such great music that fans just love, it's like, something has changed, clearly. It's not like great music wasn't being put out, but for whatever reason, it's being more mainstream and recognized, which is great, I think.”

— Megan Moroney (kicks99.com)

“I think that the more successful we can be, the more it opens up lanes for other women.”

— Megan Moroney (kicks99.com)

What’s next

Moroney's "Cloud 9 Tour" is set to kick off on May 29, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio, with dates running through early October across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

The takeaway

Moroney's comments and the recent chart success of herself, Lainey Wilson, and Ella Langley signal a significant shift in the country music landscape, with women rising to the top of the genre and paving the way for greater female representation and empowerment in the industry.