10 Years Ago, Beyoncé and the Chicks Performed at the CMA Awards. It’s Still Making Waves

Ten years ago, Beyoncé and the Chicks performed “Daddy Lessons” at the CMA Awards, blending the song with the Chicks’ “Long Time Gone” and a New Orleans-style band. The article argues the performance exposed country music’s resistance to artists who challenge its racial and political boundaries, and helped shape Beyoncé’s later return to American roots music with *Cowboy Carter*.

The performance came as the Chicks had been absent from the CMA broadcast since 2003, while “Daddy Lessons” was later ruled ineligible for Grammy country categories. Some audience reactions were reportedly frosty, despite country awards having welcomed other pop collaborations. The article also notes that country radio did not embrace Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em”, even as it topped the Billboard Hot 100, and argues her influence helped prepare audiences for later country hits.