The world is still reeling from Beyonce’s unforgettable performance with the Dixie Chicks at the 2016 Country Music Awards and one person who was proud to see the musical moment come to life was her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson.
ESSENCE caught up with Mama Tina on Wednesday just before Bey’s electrifying CMA moment and she weighed in with her thoughts on the performance, why she was a little worried about how it would be received, and her reaction the first time she heard “Daddy Lessons.”
The country-western inspiration behind the song is undeniable, and given Miss Tina’s Texas roots, it’s a familiar sound that reminds her of home.
“Actually, it’s one of my favorite songs on the album,” she tells ESSENCE. “For one thing, I’m from Texas, so I like country-western music. Even though I don’t necessarily go out and buy it, I do listen to it and it’s definitely been a part of my life because I am from Texas.”
A proud southern belle, Miss Tina says she also fell in love with the soulful feel of the song, that serves as a nod to the widespread influence of Blues music throughout all genres.
“The beat, the message in the song, the soulfulness of it — country-western music really has a soulful flavor to it,” she adds. “It reminds me of the Blues; everything came from the Blues and you can hear the influence.”
While music lovers in general and even some of country music’s biggest names instantly took to the song following the April release of Beyonce’s platinum-selling Lemonade album, the proud mom revealed that the infectious fan-favorite almost didn’t make the album.
“I’m really happy about the song because a lot of people told her that she shouldn’t put it on the album because it didn’t fit and that it sounded too much like a country-western song. So, I’m really happy that she stuck to her guns — literally (laughs) — and kept it.”
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And how did the ESSENCE Festival – Durban guest speaker feel knowing her daughter was about to hit the CMA stage in just a few hours? Miss Tina was just excited as the rest of us, but still a mother at the core, slightly worried about how the performance would be received in the home of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“I’m happy about her performing at the CMAs because I think some of the country artists and fans have embraced it and it’s just experiencing a new genre. And isn’t it cool to show that, country music and every other music was derived from the Blues and that’s kind of a nod to us that we can do that too so, I’m excited about it!”