Hurdles remain for female artists

Jess Moskaluke’s accolades suggest she’s a darling of Canadian country music, but even in the midst of her widespread success the singer is baffled by the hurdles she faces as a woman.

Consider FM radio, she uses as an example, where archaic standards established decades ago in Canada still favour male country stars.

“Certain stations feel you should not play two women back-to-back,’’ the Rocanville, Sask., native says.

“That’s crazy, because they’ll play men (for several songs in succession). It leaves even fewer spots for women.’’

Once U.S. superstars like Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood get spins, there’s even less airtime for homegrown female talent.

Heading into Sunday’s Canadian Country Music Association Awards, which air on CBC, the 27-year-old performer knows the value of exposure for a musician.

Moskaluke has taken home the CCMA award for best female artist every year since 2014 and she’s nominated again this year.

She’ll also perform one of her songs, as will Canadian country favourites Brett Kissel and Gord Bamford, who will be joined by Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy.

While those TV appearances certainly paid off, Moskaluke says country radio stations remain “a solid part of the foundation’’ of breaking through in Canada.