Overall, CMT became widely successful by incorporating visual strategies of MTV and utilizing television programming and film, though continuing to distinguish its genre through country iconography and storytelling. The Dixie Chicks’ “Ready to Run” music video exemplifies the successful use of these new strategies by depicting traditional country music values while simultaneously incorporating aspects of spectacle and resistance in line with the rising independence of women (Spraggins, 2000). Furthermore, the success of “Ready to Run” was impacted by its incorporation as a soundtrack in Runaway Bride. “Ready to Run” shares evident similarities and differences with early country music videos, such as Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen,” as well as Mariah Carey’s 1999 “Heartbreaker,” showcasing how country music video strategies have changed over time while maintaining its roots as a genre.
