The country music star talks about her new album, “Humble Quest,” and what the past two years – from the pandemic to the birth of her son to social media trolls – have taught her about courage and humility.
I drove circles around this town Trying to write circles around this town Trying to say something with meaning Something worth singing about I’ve been kind and I’ve been ruthless Yeah, got here, but the truth is Thought when I hit it, it’d all look different In her new song, “Circles Around This Town,” Maren Morris writes about arriving in Nashville nearly a decade ago as an unknown songwriter. “I was 23 when I moved here,” she told correspondent Anthony Mason. Now, she can’t walk down the street without getting noticed by a passing tour bus. “We love your music!” announced the tour guide through the loudspeaker. “How are you?” “Thanks! I’m good. How are you?” “We love your songs. We’re proud of you and all your accomplishments!” Mason said, “That tells you a lot’s changed since you first came here.” “Yeah, that was amazing. They’re so sweet.” Morris took Mason to the offices of Big Yellow Dog music publishing, where owner Carla Wallace gave Morris her big break. “The day that I signed with y’all and I got my first, like, actual advance to be a writer here, I think I had 200 bucks left in my checking account,” she said. Within a few years, “My Church” would make Maren Morris a star Mason asked Wallace, “How did you know to sign her?” “Well, she had something to say,” she replied.
