CMT Smashing Glass 2023 Ceremony is going down in history. The night honored the lives and work of Patti LaBelle and Tanya Tucker, two women in music who smashed glass ceilings.
Margaret Comeaux, CMT’s Senior Vice President of Production, Music & Events and Executive Producer, shared the importance of the musical ceremony:
“We’re beyond excited to bring this electrifying and empowering new franchise to life by honoring iconic women who’ve fearlessly ‘smashed glass ceilings’ and kicked in doors, holding them wide open for past, present and future generations. Both Patti and Tanya deserve to be celebrated for continuing to set the industry gold standard with boundary-breaking crossover success, bold, uncompromising lives and careers, and creating timeless music and impact that remains as powerful and relevant as ever.”
Comments By LaBelle and Tucker
CMT quotes Patti LaBelle as saying, “Each year I grow, and that’s a blessing from God. I do what I can do. I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it. It’s not about making money because I don’t need money. But I need to sing. With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on that stage.” Wise words from an important woman in music.
CMT also quotes Tanya Tucker as saying, “For me, songwriting’s a release. ‘Bring My Flowers Now,’ I finally finished it, 30, 40 years down the road. My problem is I spit it out, and I can’t retain it. I always tell people, ‘If it comes out, you better get it ‘cause I won’t remember it later.’ I’m a Sunday writer. I’m gonna come over and eat some cornbread with ya, laugh, talk a bit and maybe we’ll write a song. If we talk about it, set a time, it’s too serious. The whole idea of ‘Get together at 10 o’clock in the morning,’ where’s the inspiration in that?” This is an approach towards songwriting to keep in mind for all up-and-comers in the music industry.
CMT Honors Female Artists
As far as performances go, read on to learn who sang what.
- Chris Janson performed a cover of Tanya Tucker’s song “It’s a Little Too Late.”
- Clint Black performed a cover of Tanya Tucker’s song “Texas (When I Die).”
- Tanya Tucker performed her song “Bring My Flowers Now.”
- Amber Riley performed a cover of Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect.”
- Lucie Silvas performed a cover of Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
- Mickey Guyton performed a cover of Tina Turner’s song “The Best.”
- Ledsi performed a cover of Patti LaBelle’s song “New Attitude.”
- The War and Treaty performed a cover of Patti LaBelle’s song “On My Own.”
- Patti LaBelle performed her song “2 Steps Away.”
