Alice Randall was the first Black woman to cowrite a number 1 country hit single, Trisha Yearwood’s “XXX’s and OOO’s.” She’s also a bestselling novelist, award-winning songwriter, and an educator. She discusses her newest book My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future.

She talks about the artists she grew up listening to like DeFord Bailey, Lil Hardin, Ray Charles, Charley Pride, and Herb Jeffries. But Randall, who lives in Nashville, is also excited about a country music renaissance happening right now – reflected in the recent release of Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album – and the “radical joy” she feels in realizing the power of Black influence on American culture.

Randall’s work suggests that the future of country music, particularly as it’s influenced by Black musicians and songwriters, is with artists like Jimmie Allen, first Black singer to send a debut single to the top of the country radio charts, and Mickey Guyton, whose song “Black Like Me” was nominated for a Grammy. Guyton was the first Black woman to be nominated for Best Country Solo Performance.