Oklahoma Country Station Initially Declines to Play Beyoncé's New Singles
An Oklahoma country radio station, KYKC, recently made headlines when they chose not to play Beyoncé's latest country singles, 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages'. These songs were released to the public on Super Bowl Sunday, stirring excitement among fans of the pop superstar who is known for her versatile music that often crosses genre boundaries.
Controversy Over Music Selection
When a Beyoncé fan requested KYKC to air the new single 'Texas Hold 'Em', the station refused, explaining that they do not play Beyoncé due to their country music format. This response sparked considerable backlash online, with some fans accusing the station of racism and demanding accountability.
Amid the storm of controversy, other fans followed suit, also requesting not only 'Texas Hold 'Em' but the song '16 Carriages' to be played on KYKC. These actions highlighted the ongoing conversation about inclusivity and representation of artists of color in the country music genre.
Station's Stance and Subsequent Shift
Addressing the issue, Roger Harris, the general manager at KYKC, explained that their decision was due to the station's smaller market size, which typically doesn't allow for 'breaking' new artists or significantly influencing their chart performance. KYKC's policy is to wait until a song performs well in larger markets or on the charts before adding it to their rotation.
However, as the demand for Beyoncé's new country tunes grew louder, KYKC posted an update, hinting that they would be airing 'Texas Hold 'Em' after receiving numerous calls requesting the song. This turnaround suggests that even smaller stations are responsive to their audience and industry trends.