Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Martina McBride Never Called Beyoncé a “Clown in a Cowboy Hat”

Martina McBride did not call Beyoncé a 'clown in a cowboy hat'; the viral claim is false and has no evidence to support it.
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Social media has a way of turning fiction into fact overnight, and the latest victim of misinformation is country legend Martina McBride. A viral claim has been circulating that McBride criticized Beyoncé’s Grammy win for Best Country Album, allegedly saying, “Country music doesn’t need a clown in a cowboy hat.”

Let’s be clear—Martina McBride never said this. There is no evidence that she made any statement about Beyoncé’s win, positive or negative. The quote is completely fabricated, yet that hasn’t stopped it from spreading like wildfire online.

Where Did the Rumor Start?

The false claim appears to have originated from a website called Dongnai24, which published an article with the headline:

“Martina McBride Drops a Bombshell on Beyoncé—’Country Music Is No Circus for Clowns in Cowboy Hats!'”

The article also claimed McBride refused to collaborate with Beyoncé to “protect the authenticity of country music.” However, no reputable source has reported this, and McBride has not made such statements.

Despite being baseless, the rumor gained traction on social media. As of this writing, a Facebook post with the same claim has racked up over 21,000 likes. These viral posts show how quickly misinformation spreads, especially when it creates tensions within country music community.

The Truth About Beyoncé’s Grammy Wins

At the 2025 Grammys, Beyoncé made history by winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter and taking home Best Country Duo/Group Performance for II Most Wanted with Miley Cyrus. She became the first Black female artist to win in the country album category. This milestone was widely celebrated by some and questioned by others.

But here’s where the controversy deepens—Beyoncé has admitted that Cowboy Carter isn’t a country album. In her own words:

“This ain’t a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”

That raises a fair question: If the artist who created the album doesn’t define it as country, why did it win Best Country Album?

Why the Backlash?

The debate over Cowboy Carter winning in the country category isn’t about whether Beyoncé is talented—her success speaks for itself. The concern is whether the album fits the genre it was awarded for.

Cowboy Carter blends multiple genres with some country elements, including pop, R&B, and hip-hop. But country music isn’t just about instrumentation or featuring a few guest artists from the genre—it’s about storytelling, heritage, and a connection to its roots.

Artists like Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift faced scrutiny when they pushed country toward pop. When Lil Nas X released “Old Town Road,” many in the industry refused to acknowledge it as country despite its clear country influences. Yet, Cowboy Carter—an album Beyoncé herself doesn’t classify as country—was awarded the top country honor.

Martina McBride never said a word about Beyoncé’s win. Still, the larger conversation about what defines country music isn’t going away. Best Country Album should go to an actual country album, not just a project with country influences. The debate isn’t about keeping artists out—it’s about respecting the genre and the artists who live and breathe it.

Latest Stories

Zach Bryan performs live on stage in a previous concert, wearing a sleeveless shirt and ball cap, as he announces a surprise $50 Red Rocks show set for August.

Zach Bryan Drops Surprise Red Rocks Show With a $50 Ticket Cap and a Promise to Keep It Real

While everyone else is out here selling pit passes for the price of a mortgage payment, Zach Bryan just dropped a $50 Red Rocks show like it was nothing. On ...

Mark Herndon plays drums on stage with a smile, wearing sunglasses and a bandana, representing his longtime role with country supergroup Alabama despite feeling like an outsider.

He Was Alabama’s Drummer for Years But Mark Herndon Says He Was Never Treated Like He Belonged

He played the beat behind the biggest country band in the world, but they made sure he knew his place. Off to the side. Mark Herndon was the guy in ...

The Dixie Chicks pose in front of an American flag in white T-shirts, with the words "FREE SPEECH" written on their arms—capturing the controversial moment that reshaped their career after 2003.

Whatever Happened to the Dixie Chicks After They Crossed the Line in 2003?

They weren’t canceled. They self-destructed and dared people to cheer for it. Back in 2003, the Dixie Chicks were sitting on top of the world. They were country music’s biggest ...

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard perform on stage together in 2015, each playing a guitar and singing into microphones, proving their legendary status with the success of their album Django and Jimmie.

On This Day in 2015, Willie and Merle Proved They Still Ran the Damn Game With “Django and Jimmie”

You can’t kill country legends, especially when they roll into town smoking pot and topping charts. On June 11, 2015, “Django and Jimmie” officially climbed to Number One on the ...

Hank Williams performs “Lovesick Blues” at the Grand Ole Opry in 1949, standing at the WSM microphone in a pinstripe suit and cowboy hat, holding an acoustic guitar during his historic debut.

On This Day in 1949, Hank Williams Stepped on the Opry Stage and Blew the Damn Roof Off

They tried to keep him out, but when Hank Williams finally hit the Grand Ole Opry stage, country music would never be the same. June 11, 1949. The Ryman Auditorium ...

John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN sit on a front porch singing a heartfelt acoustic rendition of “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” with John playing guitar and all three pouring raw emotion into the harmony.

John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN Team Up for a Soul-Crushing Take on “Go Rest High on That Mountain”

They didn’t win American Idol, but this performance says otherwise. John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN reunited after the American Idol finale to deliver a stripped-down, straight-from-the-gut version of Vince ...

Miss Kay Robertson is struggling after Phil’s death, facing serious health issues and grief that cuts deep after 60 years of love, loss, and shared life.

Miss Kay Robertson ‘Not in the Best of Health’ After Phil’s Death According to Son Willie

She’s been with the same man for sixty years, and now she’s waking up every morning wondering why the damn house is so quiet. Phil Robertson is gone, and Miss ...

Trisha Yearwood performs passionately on stage in a black fringe dress, set to headline a benefit concert in Santa Barbara supporting first responders and wildfire-affected musicians.

Trisha Yearwood Set to Take the Stage in Santa Barbara to Raise Funds for First Responders

Country powerhouse Trisha Yearwood is heading west, and she’s bringing some real heart with her. The three-time Grammy winner has been tapped to headline the 2025 One805LIVE! benefit concert, an ...

Faith Hill beams backstage at CMA Fest 2025 in her first public appearance in two years, wearing a wide-brim hat and leather jacket while chatting with friends.

Faith Hill Stuns With Her First Public Appearance in Two Years After Stepping Out of the Spotlight

It’s been a long time since Faith Hill showed up where fans least expected her, especially without a microphone in hand. CMA Fest 2025 brought out just about everyone in ...

Faith Hill waves to the crowd on stage in a white dress, fueling speculation about her quiet retirement from country music after years of absence from the spotlight.

Did Faith Hill Quietly Step Away From Country Music? The Biggest Sign Yet She’s Retired

There’s going quiet, and then there’s straight-up ghosting a whole genre. Faith Hill hasn’t just taken a break from country music. She’s vanished. One of the biggest names in the ...