Mickey Guyton, born Candace Mycale Guyton on June 17, 1983, in Arlington, Texas, is a trailblazing country music singer and songwriter. She began singing gospel in church at the age of five and grew up listening to a diverse array of artists, including Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes, and Whitney Houston. Her debut album, ‘Remember Her Name' addressed themes of gender and racial inequality, earning her a Grammy nomination and making her the first Black female solo artist to be nominated in a country category. In her sophomore album, ‘House on Fire,' Guyton shifts focus towards themes of joy and love, reflecting her personal journey and resilience, highlighted by songs like ‘Scary Love,' written in the aftermath of her son nearly dying from sepsis at 9 months old.
Throughout her career, Guyton has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in country music. She has openly addressed the challenges of being a Black woman in the industry and uses her platform to mentor young Black and brown artists. Her song ‘Black Like Me' speaks to the racial injustices she has faced and has been recognised for its powerful message. Guyton’s commitment to activism extends beyond her music; she serves on the Academy of Country Music’s diversity task force, working to create a more inclusive environment within the industry.
Mickey was in London last weekend to sing at the CMA Songwriters night and co-host the main stage of the C2C festival alongside Bob Harris. We also saw her perform at a very emotional Bluebird Cafe session that included Abby Anderson and Kaitlin Butts so it was a pleasure to catch up and talk to her about her career.
Mickey, it's great to talk to you today, we very much appreciate you giving us your time. You've been a trailblazer in Country music for some time now and you also help and advocate for others too. What's that journey been like and do you see yourself as a trailblazer?
You know, I didn't – my rise to success really happened during the pandemic and so I wasn't really seeing what was going on and now looking back……… I do and I don't see myself as a trailblazer because I think that trailblazers must feel like something different and I still feel like myself.
People tell me that I have ‘blazed a trail' but it's still hard for me to accept that.
‘Black Like Me' had such a cultural impact and a moment all of its own. Does it seem like that was a long time ago now?
It feels very much so a long time ago! So much in my country has changed since then and it seems like people are now trying to erase what we achieved in 2020. It's been hard for me to see that happening because there was a trail that has been blazed that is now being erased. Beyoncé released one of the most important Country albums in 2024, one of the most important albums period and Shaboozey had the biggest Country Pop hit of the year too but sometimes that feels like it is still not enough.
Are you getting a different feel and vibe from being in Europe than what you feel back home?
Very much so! Very, very much so. There is acknowledgement and appreciation here – it seems like people really get it here and that is something that I am just not used to. I might need to move here! (laughing) In America you are taught a particular way and you forget just how young the country actually is and despite the civil rights movement, which wasn't actually that long ago, racism is still really prevalent and still indoctrinated into the fabric of America.
You come to London and people lean into diversity, black culture is part of your overall culture and not separate to it here. It's very refreshing and I feel like I can breathe a little bit here and not always feel scared.
You released a live version of the national anthem recently – Is that a really hard song to sing or is it the occasion that is hard?
The occasion……the song is hard to sing and it takes a special singer to do it properly. My dad always taught me to sing it straight and not to add anything on. The national anthem has every note that you need to showcase your voice – you don't need to do anything else with it. That's all I do, I just sing it as it is and it gives you every note that you need.
Singing at the Super Bowl is probably the hardest thing for any artist to do and I did it!
Your ‘House on Fire' album came out in 2024 – how have you changed and evolved in the ten years since your self-titled EP?
I'm a mom now so I'm seeing life from such a different perspective. I'm in a period of rest and of taking in the moment and really focusing in on my mental health and the things that make me happy. That's probably affected the way that I write because I'm seeing things differently because once you bring a life into the world, everything changes and you realise time is so short. That viewpoint helps you to see people differently and helps to make you appreciate what you have.
The UK are a nation of deep-cut lovers who see beyond the shiny hits and radio songs. Is there a song on ‘House on Fire' that people like me just aren't talking to you about enough? For example, I love ‘Little Man,' I love the disco vibes of ‘Make It Me.'
I definitely think ‘In Between' is a really good song, one of my favourites that I've ever written……
Will you playing that tonight? (CMA Songwriters Night)
I won't I'm afraid but I will be playing ‘Make it Me.'
How do you approach songwriter rounds differently as opposed to full band shows?
It's always interesting. This will be only my second show in the UK and it seems like people really want to hear what the artist has to say and hear the stories behind the songs. Being in these spaces I will be able to tell the stories behind the songs a little more because when you are in Nashville people are talking over you and it's just so different!
You've played some huge shows and events over the years. What has been the most memorable or meaningful one for you so far?
Oh my gosh! There's been a lot. I would definitely say that singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl was hands-down one of the most crazy moments of my career. Singing at the Grammys? I had given birth three weeks before that show so it was probably one of the most special shows because I went through a lot to get there! I was breastfeeding in between rehearsals! (laughing)
When we did our end of year awards last year the duet you did with Orville Peck, ‘Where Are We Now?' was one of our top 3 duets of the year.
Really? Wow! I love Orville and that is such a good song. That was definitely one of my favourite collaborations that I have ever done. When I went into record that song I was in a really healthy mental space and Orville, who is a dear friend of mine…….. I just love singing with him, like, LOVED it! Our voices combine so well together.
If you could collaborate with any artist or writer in a room in Nashville next week, who would you chose and why?
That's such a hard question. I would probably say Dolly Parton. If she would ever have me, I would love to work with her. She's obviously going through a lot right now, losing her husband. I'd love to sing with Trisha Yearwood too.
You've been at the forefront of the evolution of Country music for a while now. Where are we going to be in 5 years time?
You know the one thing that I can say is that I just don't know! There has been a huge movement and a huge wave of people of colour coming into the genre but they are still not playing black people on Country radio. I'm sorry…. I can't sugarcoat it. There were just a lot of moments last year that were just very telling in terms of how far we still have to go that disappoint me.
Maybe in four years there will be some glimmer of change? From November 2024……… (sighs) you know what I mean, you know how it is. I'm at a point in my life where I am resting now, black women are resting – it's an actual term we are telling each other – we are ‘resting at dawn.' It's a form of protest. I've done everything that I can and I've fought so hard for things but if this what y'all want…… I'm going to take care of the people that I love the most, don't get me wrong, I'll still fight for equality – but I need to focus on myself and my family now.
Keep making beautiful music and focus on that family of yours.
That's all we can do.
If you missed our review of Mickey Guyton's terrific ‘House on Fire' album last year you can do a re-read catch up right here.
