Apple TV+ is shaking up the country music world with an all-new competition series, My Kind of Country. Executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and GLAAD’s 2022 Vanguard Award Winner Kacey Musgraves; the eight-part series is providing an extraordinary opportunity to diverse artists from around the world. Three country music trailblazers will be traveling the globe in search of the genre’s next big star. The scouts include Grammy Nominee Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, who was the first Black female to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category, and GLAAD Media Award nominated artist, Orville Peck.
The country music world hasn’t always been the most accepting place. “Country music should stop limiting people and start opening doors. It’s music brought from all over the world.” Reese Witherspoon says in the trailer. “You got the bluegrass, the folk, the gospel. There’s so many threads woven through country music,” says Kacey Musgraves.
Orville Peck, an openly gay country singer who is famous for wearing a mask to conceal his identity explains that “My mask allows me to be more vulnerable and share my perspective as a gay country artist.” Peck has become an icon in the industry for not only his incredible talent, but his commitment to making country music a more inclusive place for LGBTQ people. Peck is up for the Outstanding Music Artist award at the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
“I struggle with my own inner voice a little bit, but when I get to sing, I feel totally whole,” a contestant says. Contestants on the show come from all over the world, from New Delhi to South Africa, all the way back to Tennessee!
“There’s just so much potential for something I don’t think anyone’s ever seen before in country music,” Peck says about the show.
The winner of the competition will receive a life-changing experience from Apple, including global exposure across the Apple TV+ and Apple Music platforms. My Kind of Country is premiering on Apple TV+ on March 24th.