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

Meet Mickey Guyton: The Rising Black Woman in Country Music

10 Mickey Guyton Facts You Probably Didn't Know
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.

Get to know Mickey Guyton, a female game changer and the rising black woman in the country music scene. While Guyton had been in the industry for a decade now, starting her career back in 2011, it was only recently that she received recognition worthy of her talent as a country music singer. 

Here are the top 10 facts that you most probably didn’t know about Mickey Guyton. 

1. Mickey is not her real name. 

She was born Candace Mycale Guyton on June 17, 1983. Mickey probably came from her second name Mycale. Ever since she started her career, she was known as Mickey. 

2. Country Music Artist LeAnn Rimes was her inspiration. 

When LeAnn Rimes was just 10 years old, she performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a baseball game. This performance was one of the first things that inspired Mickey to pursue a music career. 

3. Mickey Guyton auditioned for the 8th season of American Idol back in 2009. 

When she was in L.A., Guyton recorded demos to start her music career, and she also took the chance to audition for American Idol Season 8. Her run in the show did not last long enough as she was rejected before the live shows. Although American Idol missed a gem, Guyton did not miss out on hers. In 2011, she signed with Capitol Records Nashville, also representing famous country music artists like Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. She was the first Black female country singer signed to a major label. 

4. She was the only woman of color in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2015. 

CMT launched its Next Women of Country franchise in 2013 to help support and make space for developing female artists in the country music arena. Guyton joined the list of acts in 2015 where she was notably the only woman of her color. But thankfully, CMT Class of 2021 included three solo Black artists— Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, and Sacha, and family trio Chapel Hart making it the most diverse class yet. 

5. She performed her powerful debut ballad “Better Than You Left Me” at the Grand Ole Opry in 2015. 

The song, “Better Than You Left Me”, which was about a former boyfriend who was trying to get back together with her after her visible success as an artist, made its way to the Ryman Auditorium. 

She recounted the moment of singing at the Grand Ole Opry and how she felt that it was like being invited to perform at the Grammy Awards. She also added that performing at Ryman Auditorium was like winning an award. It was such a holy room where you can feel the presence of people who performed there before her, like Patsy Cline. It was such an emotional moment for Mickey, who recalled breaking down in the shower when she started to think about this moment. And on stage, she could barely finish the song. 

6. “Better Than You Left Me” scored the biggest radio debut in country music history. 

When her debut ballad hit the radio, it earned first-week ads on 79 stations in the US. Not only that, but it also spent four weeks on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart. It was a remarkable feat mainly because the song sounded a bit foreign for traditional country music, and Guyton is a black woman. And the country music industry at that point is not known for its diversity. This song also scored her a nomination at the Academy Country Music Awards in 2016. 

7. “Black Like Me” which she released in June as part of her Bridges EP, was inspired after John Howard Griffin’s book of the same title. 

This song was released amidst the George Floyd protests on June 2, 2020, dubbed as Blackout Tuesday. “Black Like Me” reflected the racial biases she endured throughout her life and was in the works for years. She co-wrote the song with a diverse team: Nathan Chapman, Fraser Churchill, and Emma Davidson-Dillon. 

8. She is the first Black female solo artist to be Grammy-nominated in the country music category for “Black Like Me.”

Despite her already long run in the industry, this was her first nod for a Grammy. While it may have been long overdue, she did make history for the nomination. The nomination was definitely a testament for Guyton. It was a way of not giving up and living out her truth. And for the Black country artist, there was no better way of making history than releasing a song that empowers people like her. She hoped that she could continue helping open doors for other women and other Black people. 

9. She is also the first Black woman to perform solo at ACM. 

Mickey performed “What Are You Gonna Tell Her” at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards with Keith Urban on the piano. Before this, she also performed alongside Chrissy Metz, Lauren Alaina, Maddie & Tae, and Carrie Underwood in 2019. 

10. She is now a mom. 

Last February, Mickey welcomed her first child with her husband, Grant Savoy. They named the little boy Grayson!

Mickey Guyton is definitely a woman of many charms. And also a woman who continuously breaks barriers for the Black community in the country music arena. You should definitely check out her songs!

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...