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Tanya Tucker, Patti LaBelle and More Female Icons Are Celebrated on CMT Special 'Smashing Glass'

Nancy Kruh
4 min read

Mickey Guyton, Clint Black, The War and Treaty, Chris Janson and Ledisi are among the stars who lend their voices in tribute to the legendary women in "Smashing Glass," airing Wednesday

<p>Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT</p> Chauntee Ross and Monique Ross of SistaStrings, Ledisi, Fancy Hagood, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty, Mickey Guyton, Lucie Silvas, Amber Riley, (Front Row L-R) Patti LaBelle, Billie Jean King and Tanya Tucker on stage at CMT Smashing Glass: A Celebration of the Groundbreaking Women of Music at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 26, 2023 in Nashville

Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT

Chauntee Ross and Monique Ross of SistaStrings, Ledisi, Fancy Hagood, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty, Mickey Guyton, Lucie Silvas, Amber Riley, (Front Row L-R) Patti LaBelle, Billie Jean King and Tanya Tucker on stage at CMT Smashing Glass: A Celebration of the Groundbreaking Women of Music at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 26, 2023 in Nashville

Mickey Guyton already proved her Tina Turner-esque chops with a high-voltage tribute at Turner's 2021 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. So of course Guyton got the call again to honor Turner for a new CMT special. Still, Guyton confesses, it’s a nerve-wracking assignment.

How does she channel the rock queen?

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“I don’t know,” the 40-year-old artist admitted, chatting last week with PEOPLE on the CMA Awards red carpet. “I’m just like, ‘Lord, take me, Tina! Take me away, spirit of Tina!”

<p>Jason Kempin/Getty</p> Mickey Guyton in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Jason Kempin/Getty

Mickey Guyton in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Related: Mickey Guyton Says Son Grayson, 2, Has a Trick to Stay Up Later: 'A Little Mischievous' (Exclusive)

No doubt Guyton was seized by the spirit, turning in an electric performance of Turner’s 1989 classic, “The Best.” You’ll get to see it — as well as many more standout star turns — on CMT’s inaugural special, Smashing Glass. premiering Wednesday night. The 90-minute show, planned as an annual event, is the network’s salute to iconic female artists who have contributed to shattering the glass ceiling for their musical descendants.

<p>Jason Kempin/Getty</p> Tanya Tucker and Patti LaBelle in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Jason Kempin/Getty

Tanya Tucker and Patti LaBelle in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

The spotlight especially shines on the decades-long careers of newly inducted Country Music Hall of Fame member Tanya Tucker and pop-and-soul legend Patti LaBelle. Both are there to lap up the celebration, as well as to take the stage. Besides Turner, other idols who receive posthumous tributes include queen of soul Aretha Franklin and Irish firebrand Sinead O’Connor.

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Related: Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless and Songwriter Bob McDill Enter Country Music Hall of Fame

Tennis great Billie Jean King, herself another illustrious glass smasher, is on hand to host the show, which was filmed last month before a live audience at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Nashville’s Belmont University.

<p>Jason Kempin/Getty</p> Clint Black and Tanya Tucker (with her two dogs) in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Jason Kempin/Getty

Clint Black and Tanya Tucker (with her two dogs) in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Tucker is treated to performances by two male admirers: Fellow Texan Clint Black offers “Texas When I Die,” and Chris Janson rocks out to “It’s a Little Too Late.”

<p>Catherine Powell/Getty</p> Chris Janson in Nashville on Oct. 26. 2023

Catherine Powell/Getty

Chris Janson in Nashville on Oct. 26. 2023

Then the 65-year-old country legend takes her turn for a transcendent rendition of "Bring My Flowers Now," the 2019 Grammy-winning single from her 2019 Grammy-winning album While I'm Livin'.

<p>Jason Kempin/Getty</p> Ledisi in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Jason Kempin/Getty

Ledisi in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

LaBelle enjoys a blazing “New Attitude” from Grammy-winning R&B artist Ledisi, and country duo sensation The War and Treaty torch their way through LaBelle's “On My Own.” (Husband and wife Michael and Tanya Trotter just received their first Grammy nominations, including for all-genre best new artists.)

<p>Jason Kempin/Getty</p> Michael and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty in Nashville on Oct 26, 2023

Jason Kempin/Getty

Michael and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty in Nashville on Oct 26, 2023

Related: Grammys 2024 Nominations: SZA, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift Among Top Noms — See the Full List

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LaBelle, 79, shows off her agelessness with a powerhouse performance of "2 Steps Away," a single from her popular 2004 album, Timeless Journey.

<p>Jason Kempin/Getty</p> Amber Riley in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Jason Kempin/Getty

Amber Riley in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Aretha Franklin is honored by Amber Riley, the Glee alum who’s gone on to a stage and recording career; she delivers a barnburner “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” And Sinead O'Connor is given her props by Nashville singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas, who offers a soul-stirring performance of O'Connor's signature song, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

<p>Catherine Powell/Getty</p> Lucie Silvas in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Catherine Powell/Getty

Lucie Silvas in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Offstage, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sheryl Crow sits down with LeBelle and Tucker in front of cameras to discuss the challenges and rewards of their boundary-breaking careers.

<p>Catherine Powell/Getty</p> Sheryl Crow in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

Catherine Powell/Getty

Sheryl Crow in Nashville on Oct. 26, 2023

CMT Smashing Glass airs at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST Wednesday. Encore broadcasts on CMT will be at 8:40 EST/9:40 CST Friday and at noon EST/11 a.m. CST Saturday. CMT Music will re-air the special at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST Nov. 25 and at 7 a.m. EST/6 a.m. CST and 5 p.m. EST/4 p.m. CST on Nov. 27. In keeping with the theme, the show is notably helmed by an all-female production team.

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