I have no doubt country music has some puritans that didn't like the newer stuff way back when, but the point is, the fans couldn't be ignored when the albums were still selling.
Industry awards are meaningless- all it says is, the elitists among you think you're okay. That's it. What SHOULD mean the most is ticket/album sales. If you're selling out stadiums, you're doing something right.
This 'Americana' chick needs to get right with herself- the BIG DRAW for country fans is, relatability; listeners hear a song and can see themselves within the lyrics, feel their heart beating to the rhythm. There's a reason 95% of country fans have no clue who she is, and all she sounds like is sour grapes.
Dixie Chicks were the key to their own undoing- this had zero to do with the President, or what was said- it was that they felt the need to go overseas, to a foreign land and spit on the country that fed them. Country fans don't appreciate being placated with lyrics only to learn you really feel like they're gross and clearly beneath you. Say what you want, but there's a reason it was said overseas- they KNEW full well that if they'd said this on American soil they'd have been tossed from the genre and fans gone in an instant. It was aid overseas because they THOUGHT no one would ever hear about it in the US.
Most country artists know, if you want to have a career AND be a lunatic regarding politics, don't do it in country music. Nobody cares what your ideology is, just shut up about it and sing. No one is changing their vote because you said so, no one is buying your ticket/album because you clearly have a political bent they agree with, you are famous BECAUSE YOU CAN SING/WRITE.
Shania Twain went down the tubes because she developed a mental issue and stopped recording/touring; it wasn't country music shoving her out. Old Town Rd was a wildly successful song, regardless of what some stuffed shirts in country decided. Florida Georgia Line went double platinum because they collaborated with a rapper.
Country isn't as hick as these producers would like you to believe, and suggesting otherwise only makes you look ridiculous.