Kacey Musgraves Is Proud to Be a Female Country Singer

Kacey Musgraves is one of the most promising young female country artists to come along in years. Her major label debut album, 'Same Trailer Different Park,' has put her in the vanguard of a new wave of  female artists who are presenting a more realistic view of the world in their songs. In a new interview, she says she's pleased that women are once again taking a stronger role in country music.

The 24-year-old singer-songwriter says that 20 years ago, men were the ones recording more substantial fare, while the emphasis for women was on looks. "So I guess it's cyclical, and it's coming around again now, like back in the day with Jeannie C. Riley, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton," she tells the Colorado Springs Independent.

"I mean, those women said things -- they really had something to say," she adds. "And for a while, that was lost. So I'm just really happy to see that substance coming back. It makes me proud to be a female country singer."

After years of struggle that included a stint on 'Nashville Star' -- where she finished seventh -- and the usual Music Row slog, 'Same Trailer Different Park' debuted at No. 1 in the Top Country Albums chart upon its release in March. Musgraves has scored two hit singles -- 'Merry Go Round' and 'Blowin' Smoke' -- and three ACM nominations. She is currently on the road with Kenny Chesney.

"And I have to remind myself that I have been working hard for this," Musgraves admits. "Because literally, it's so much fun that I get to wake up and do what I love every day. So many people fight that every day and have to do something that they hate, so I'm really lucky."