Megan Moroney: Women Leading the Way in Country Music | Cloud 9 Tour 2024
Megan Moroney is celebrating a landmark achievement this month: her latest album, Cloud 9, has reached the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. The Georgia native’s success comes amidst a broader conversation about the rising influence of women in country music, a trend Moroney herself acknowledges and embraces. Following the release of Cloud 9 in February, Moroney is preparing to embark on the Cloud 9 Tour, kicking off in May.
Moroney’s ascent to the top isn’t happening in a vacuum. She joins a cohort of female artists—including Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson—who are currently reshaping the landscape of country music. Wilson, for example, recently topped the Country Airplay chart with “Somewhere Over Laredo,” and earned nominations for both Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards, solidifying her position as a leading voice in the genre. American Songwriter highlights this wave of female success.
“I feel like we’re on top of the mountain right now, honestly,” Moroney stated in a recent interview. “With artists like Lainey and Ella, the three of us got the most CMA nominations, so while it’s not to say it’s a perfect situation, You can definitely always utilize more ladies.” This sentiment reflects a growing sense of momentum for women in a genre that has historically been dominated by male artists.
A Shift in the Country Music Landscape
Moroney’s comments, shared on the Songwriter podcast, point to a broader shift occurring within country music. She believes that the success of female artists, coupled with the release of music that resonates deeply with fans, is driving a noticeable change. “I feel with women leading the pack and putting out amazing music that fans are loving so much, it feels like something has shifted, obviously. It doesn’t mean great music wasn’t being set out, but for some reason, it’s becoming more widespread and getting recognized, which is awesome,” she explained.
The impact of Cloud 9 extends beyond Moroney’s personal success. She recognizes that her achievements are opening doors for other female artists seeking to build their mark on country music. “I think the more successful we are, the more doors we open for other women,” she said.
Moroney’s rise to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 comes on the heels of Ella Langley’s history-making success with her single, “Choosin’ Texas.” Langley topped three Billboard charts with the song, paving the way for Moroney’s own chart-topping album. WKML reports that 2026 is proving to be a particularly strong year for women in country music.
Cloud 9: By the Numbers
Cloud 9 earned a total of 147,000 equivalent album units, according to Billboard. This marks Moroney’s best sales week to date, with 78,000 actual album sales. The album also generated 69,000 streaming equivalent album units. Moroney’s previous album, Am I Okay?, released in 2024, reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200, making the jump to the top spot with Cloud 9 a significant milestone in her career. Billboard details the album’s impressive performance.
Moroney is now the fifth woman in country music history to achieve a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter (2024), Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (2023), as well as her re-recordings of Red (Taylor’s Version) and Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (both 2021), Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty (2018), and Shania Twain’s Now (2017) all previously held the top spot.
Moroney celebrated the achievement with a social media post, sharing a carousel of photos and a screenshot of the Billboard article announcing the news.
Industry Recognition and What’s Ahead
As the industry takes notice of the growing influence of female artists, Moroney believes that the recognition is long overdue. Each chart-topping song and sold-out show represents an opportunity to demonstrate the power and impact of women in country music. The success of artists like Moroney, Wilson, and Langley is not only a win for these individuals but also a signal to the industry that investing in female talent is a smart and rewarding strategy.
With the Cloud 9 Tour set to start in May, Moroney is poised to continue her momentum and connect with fans across the country. The tour will provide a platform to showcase the music from Cloud 9 and further solidify her position as a leading force in contemporary country music. The tour dates and locations are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with fans eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience Moroney’s music live.