Mickey Guyton makes Grammys history as 1st Black female to be nominated in a country category
Country singer Mickey Guyton made Grammys history with her nomination for best country solo performance Tuesday.
The recognition for her single, "Black Like Me," made Guyton the first Black female solo artist to ever be nominated in a country category.
However, the Pointer Sisters' song, "Live Your Life Before You Die," earned a nod for best country vocal performance by a duo or group in 1976.
"I am lost for words. God is so good! Thank you @RecordingAcad!" Guyton tweeted Tuesday. She also acknowledged her history-making moment with a series of crying emojis.
Earlier this year, the 37-year-old Guyton, who is expecting a baby boy next year, opened up to ABC News about breaking barriers in the music industry.
Giving Black country fans another reason to connect with the genre has been gratifying, she explained.
"I have heard from a lot of young, beautiful, Black women that love country music, that are saying, 'Thank you so much because I didn't feel like I could go to shows. I didn't feel like I could like country music 'cause there wasn't anybody that looked like me and now there is,'" she said.
"There are so many young people that are not getting the attention whatsoever that are breaking way more barriers than I could ever even imagine that we aren't even seeing," she added. "And mine is in the forefront and I think it's really cool, and I thank people for saying that -- but there are so many more people that are doing so much more than me."
Guyton said she likes to use her platform to highlight and bring more Black women into the realm and "give them opportunities." Posting about emerging Black songwriters is just one way she's done that.
"I've seen so many amazing Black women that play the guitar, that have stunning voices, that are beautiful people inside, that don't have the same opportunities," she said. "So I say, 'Use me. I'll be your gateway into that world.' And any way that I can help them, I will. ... It's so much bigger than just me and being the first and breaking barriers -- this is about truly really trying to make change."
The 2021 Grammys will take place Sunday, Jan. 31.
