Country Music

Newsletter April 1, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

This past weekend, Melissa (my wife for those of you who know her), required that our entire family listen to the new Beyonce album, Cowboy Carter, from the first song to the last.

I appreciated how Beyonce collaborated with many globally recognized country artists like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Miley Cyrus. And even more how she called out the pressure she faced to remain in her lane— in the genre of R&B, hip hop and pop. And how this album represented her transcendence across genres celebrating her country roots, and the contributions of Black Americans in country music. She found strength in the days following the 2016 CMAs, after performing with the Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks). She was criticized and not welcomed, and even though she’s Texan and Louisianan. This got her to do her homework on the roots of country, and find her footing in that space.

I imagine she (I hope she did!) came across an article written five years ago by my dear friend, Karen Pittelman, called “Another Country," on medium.com outlining the historical fact that along the span of history, due to Nixon, Jim Crow, and the creation of arbitrary lines around genres. Read the whole article HERE. I have shared my enthusiasm for Karen's activism through her queer country band with many of you before. Read an article HERE about her approach.

Karen has dedicated her life to this incredibly important work, highlighting contributions of queer and Black folks and calling out the heteronormative white supremacist patriarchy that has hidden our/their impact. It is inspiring to see what one person can do. Even more inspiring to have known Karen over a quarter of a century, and to see her impact in that time.

This season in the Jewish calendar, between Purim and Passover, reminds us of the difference that one person can make. Esther and Moses remind us that each of us can transform circumstances for those around us.

But, if we look closely to these stories, we know there were also supporting characters working to help make these big changes. The midwives in Egypt who refused to kill the male babies allowed for Moses to survive his birth in the first place. And Mordecai encouraged Esther’s courageous action revealing her Jewish identity and, in the process, helped save the Jewish people.

Thematically, Karen’s band called Karen and the Sorrows, touches upon themes of heartbreak, trucks, and, well, sorrow. But they also delve deeply into deep questions of spirituality and theology, which I love.

Tomorrow night, Karen will be performing a Tiny Concert of four of my favorite songs of her and her band. Tune in at 4pm PT/7pm ET to @kandthesorrows on Instagram Live or go HERE.

And, let’s all keep championing all forms of country music, one another’s activism, and bringing the world toward more inclusion and healing.

That’s now we’re keeping it sacred. 

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter. If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news 

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Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...