great coverage of underrepresented voices

Since discovering a monumental boxset decades ago, I've been keeping an ear out for underrepresented voices in country music.  While not the only voice that has been historically underrepresented, finally black country artists are breaking through to a wider audience thanks to renewed attention.  The renewed attention came fortuitously because a supportive community has already been coalescing around emerging black artists, as documented by a recent documentary.

I'm not counted among fans of that community yet.  But I do give them a chance, because their music doesn't sound like commercial radio.  After sampling a track though, very few have impressed me enough to jump on Allmusic and open my wallet on Amazon.

Allmusic has been better than other major publications at reviewing emerging black artists in country music.  I'm glad that artistic merit still (sometimes) drive your editorial decisions.  I'm particularly grateful that Tom is willing to give another spin to an indie release by an artist who's rebooting her career with the help of a backing band.  His selection of this release to review -- not yet rated by any user on Allmusic or Amazon! -- makes me somewhat apologetic about having been too harsh upbraiding your decreasing coverage of new artists.

Miko Marks perseveres to express her music, in spite of a hostile industry and her double disadvantage as an artist who happens to be both black and female.  Presumably, her initial foray as a new artist was premature before the Country Music Association could bring the industry to recognize Hootie as New Artist of The Year.  Over a decade later, her musical perseverance finally reaches my ears and your coverage will help her reboot reach more ears.