Brandi Carlile to Receive Impact Award at CMT Event

Lesbian country singer Brandi Carlile continues to establish her place as one of the genre's biggest and brightest stars. Next week she'll take the stage and accept the Impact Award at this years CMT Next Women of Country event.

According to CMT.com, Carlile will be accepting the award for "outstanding achievements and contributions to women in country music, while impacting songwriting, recording, radio airplay, record sales, streams, media impressions, awards, and touring in country music over the past year." It's a bit of a mouthful, but it's 100% accurate.

Carlile has built a steady following ever since her 2005 debut Brandi Carlile. Her second album, The Story, saw its title track become a hit after it was featured on several TV shows, commercials, and movies -- take that sophomore slump. She really broke out last year when she was nominated for six Grammys for her album By the Way, I Forgive You, including Record and Song of the Year for "The Joke."

She won three of those Grammys: Best Americana Album, and Best Americana Roots Song and Performance for "The Joke." She's also one of the founding members of the country supergroup The Highwomen, with Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby.

"Not only is she one of the greatest performers of our time, she's an incredible advocate and champion for her fellow female artists, lending her support and star power to up-and-coming artists in the genre," said CMT senior vice president of music strategy and talent, Leslie Fram in a statement. "We are truly thrilled to celebrate her monumental achievements, both as a solo artist, producer, and as a member of the groundbreaking group The Highwomen, with this impact award."

CMT started the Next Women of Country program in 2013 to help give a highlight to women in a genre that men typically dominate. Previous winners of the award include fellow Highwomen member Maren Morris, as well as Kelsea Ballerini and Brandy Clark. That's a murderers row of women in country.

The Next Women of Country Event will be held November 12 at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum's CMA Theater and will be co-hosted by Martina McBride and CMT's Leslie Fram.

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