Bobby Bones’ ‘Women of iHeartCountry’ Program Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend

“Like the trailblazer and best kind of rule breaker he is, Bones is taking a conversation and concern that we’ve all been having for years about needing more female voices and perspectives and heart on the radio, and making a change to fix it," said Kelsea Ballerini.

Written by Lauren Laffer
Bobby Bones’ ‘Women of iHeartCountry’ Program Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend
LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 22: Kelsea Ballerini (L) and Bobby Bones attend the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Labor Day weekend 2018 marks a huge step forward in the fight to get more women played at country radio when Bobby Bones and iHeartMedia launch the Women of iHeartCountry program.

Dedicated to female acts within the genre, the program will air each week across 125 iHeartCountry stations nationwide, showcasing the amazing songs and talent from established and up-and-coming singers/

“This weekend show is another example of iHeartCountry stations and program directors providing platforms that support female artists and voices,” said Rod Phillips, SVP of Programming, iHeartCountry. “Women of iHeartCountry is an extension of efforts like our On The Verge program where we have shined a spotlight on artists such as Cam, Carly Pearce, Maren Morris and Lauren Alaina as future stars in the Country format.”

With @jillianjacqueline and @laurenalaina at the most epic pool party this hour…

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Bones will feature acts including Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Lee Ann Womack, Kassi Ashton and many more during the inaugural shows.

“Like the trailblazer and best kind of rule breaker he is, Bones is taking a conversation and concern that we’ve all been having for years about needing more female voices and perspectives and heart on the radio, and making a change to fix it,” said Ballerini. “One of the things I admire most about Bobby is the way he champions artists he believes in… male, female, duo, or group…and this is another bold way of him being a cheerleader and voice for the artists he fights for.”

“Bobby has changed our format for the better in so many ways,” added Alaina. “He has been a champion for so many people who really need someone in their corner. I am so thankful to be one of those people. I am so excited for his ‘Women of iHeartCountry’ show. There are so many amazingly talented women in our format that are going to be able to shine their light a little brighter because he believes in them. I am so proud to be a part of his new show, and I’m even more proud to be his friend. He’s a really special guy.”

Choosing the songs that will be played has a lot of factors, Bones shared. While wanting to highlight the amazing women out of Nashville, there’s also a system that needs to be followed.

“There’s a bit of a formula in that. The women that are already on the charts, my goal is to help them climb the charts. You’ll hear the four or five or six or seven– hopefully, it’s eight or nine or ten more. Those same women, you’ll hear each week, but I’m trying to help them move up, so radio can see how well it’s reacting and play it more,” said Bones on the 12th ACM Honors red carpet. “At the same time, I want to break some new artists. In week one, we’ve got Rachel Wammack and Kassi Ashton and Danielle Bradbery, artists that aren’t on the chart right now. Then, we’re also sprinkling in, just to remind people of how awesome they were, the Deana Carters, so that’s kind of the goal. Here’s what was awesome, here’s what’s awesome right now, and here’s what’s coming up that’s awesome and that’s really the goal of the show.”

The Women of iHeartCountry kicks off its hour-long project Labor Day Weekend and continues each and every weekend. Bones will lead the program, with co-host Amy Brown, and feature appearances by other iHeartMedia on-air personalities.