Maggie Rose

Maggie Rose in the house. Not only is she just like a style icon. I love her style and fashion. She's an using. She just got announced that she's on c mt S Next Woman Tour with Martina McBride and Lauren Elena. It just kicked off, killing it Postman Rose also on that tour. She was named c mt S seventeen to watch for two thousand seventeen. She's also want to CMTS Next Woman of Country. She is going to be playing a couple of shows with Faith in Tim

this year. Are you kidding me? On their solo soul tour. I can't handle it. She really is killing it. This is Maggie's year, so you guys get excited. There's so much that we talked about. Her story is insane. Here is Maggie Rose. I am here with the beautiful, the talented Maggie Rose. Caroline, Caroline, Caroline. She's the reason for the word love love. Yes, that's what I was gonna say. That's the lyrics, what it should be. I know, if only they knew you. Yes, I got to rewrite it.

We got to rewrite it. I just talked to outcasts about the pencil that in so here dog Mark, we're at my house and there are two dogs roaming. They might pick up. Our co stars are co stars today because Maggie likes a party, right, yes, always, especially Ruby and Sugar the greatest. Okay, So I want to start off with a few questions. Okay, so just answer the first thing that comes to your mind. Okay. I always

learned about myself with these kinds of questions too. They're very good, right now, Okay, dream duet, dream duet, living or dead or living? Okay? Frank Sinatra, Oh yeah, I mean I know that might be kind of basic, but I think it's because he's classic. Everyone wants to have a duet with Frank Sinatra. He just uses everything only he has only Frank. How does only Frank have it? I don't know. He just I think it's this confidence

that he had from an early age. He knew he was great and he just carried that through his whole career. And my grandparents, who I just lost seven weeks apart earlier this year. Do you think they died died of a heart of heartbreak. Yeah. Actually wrote a song about it, and I put a Sonata reference in the chorus because that was, uh, some music that really brought them together from you know, when they met to their last days. So yeah, it's like the notebook love. It was totally.

It was a little heartbreaking. My grandmother and your grandpa just couldn't do it. Yeah, So it was September and then about seven weeks later, uh, and he had such as zest for life. Still they were married for sixty four years, and he stuck around long enough to put up a tree at his house and carry on the tradition that we always carried on on my dad's side of the family. We'd spend that day with um me

mom people. But I was actually home I was lucky enough to be home for a show on December three, and he passed that weekend, so I got to say goodbye. He didn't see me, but I was there, so yeah, that's the best you could have though, for when you have we have to pass on. It was scenario. It was like the exclamation point to the end of two thousand sixteen for me. I think, uh, not to jump into it right away, but spoken about this so much, I think that tell me about what happened in two

thousand sixteen. I set the table for this year. Phrasing it like that. It was like my whole goal last year was to get ready for this year where I was going to share music again. And I think there was a lot of behind the scenes work being done. Not that I'm really fond of that term, because I think that everything is important, whether a lot of people are observing you doing it or if it's your own personal journey. But it was writing music and I got married.

I I bought my catalog back. How great is that you? And that happened like over Christmas break, so I feel like I haven't quite gotten a break between some emotional hardships and ups and downs and you know, I was writing music for myself when I officially got to start writing music for others. The Variety Show. Yeah, I mean that was like kind of the start to the year. That was such a great start because you released music

the Variety Show, which was so good. Tell me about that and what was the inspiration behind the Variety Show. I hadn't released any music since two thousand, so this was last April two thou sixteen, and I had just been writing and writing all this material and it was

all over the place. I think it was the first time in my career that I gotten to a point where I could just express myself creatively, Like you didn't have anyone telling you what you need to do, what doesn't work, what does well, and there are different goals earlier on. It wasn't that people around me were trying to keep me from being anything. It's just that we were being strategic. We were trying to, you know, also be successful from a business perspective and fulfilling creative and

it's really hard to do. Yeah, it's hard to be little like her, and I think that I got I was really young when I came to Nashville, and I never and you had. You've had several record deals. I have had three. I've had four, actually four record deals because you started at like seventeen. Yes, I started professionally

singing um with Bruce Springsteen tribute band. They're actually the b Street band who got embroiled in this whole political web of the ones who agreed to do the gig for Trump, like oh gosh, but they agreed four years ago, and they did it for Obama eight years ago. And so you were in that. Man. I was part of the band that they're They're their own thing. I just opened up with them and they would back me and I do my own originals or other songs that I like.

Because I was sixteen year old, that's a great place to a charactic school with no other place. The only place I had ever had to perform was chart or choirs and secular music. I was not performing at bars. And until I met those guys, I didn't really know or appreciate what it was to be a performer. Did they give me a lot of did they teach you a lot? And where did you meet them? Where it tell me where you're from. So I'm from Potomac, Maryland,

Potomic Maryland, Potomac. Yes, like the Potomac River, the Potomac River, Maryland. All the reads like Potomac, but it's from Potomac. Did you meet them there? I did so. Rewinding way back, I had um and I still have a business partner who's been an advocate of mine for a long time. But in the earlier years he was investing in me financially, which is a beautiful thing. He believed in me as an artist and a singer, and his family got behind me and made the first few years a lot easier.

I will say, yes, we had no idea what we were doing, but we knew that we had passion and music and talent. So in the beginning, where you writing your own songs, I was some of them you will never hear. In fact, most of them you will never hear. So you've been writing songs from a really young age. Yes, yeah, But until I came to Nashville, UM, I realized what

it really takes to be a writer. And I think having all the resources here of either people who are amazing writers or singers or musicians really accelerated my development. And it's like baptism by fire when I'm here. So that was kind of your first record deal with this you had an investor who kind of he started a label for you. And then time Actually I got a singles deal with Universal Republic and you covered use Somebody from Kings of Leon, which was so good. You did

a different version. I will never forget when you did that. It was so great. How did you decide to do that? Well? Actually, and this hearkens back to how young I was. I was connected with Tommy Mtre, like Mariah Carey, all of them who did was he married was married to Maria. I think Michael Jackson was not a fan of his at the end of his career, but he's an amazing manually. Those are the references that a lot of people know. But he ran Sony and so you were linked up

with him. I was, and it was very strange how it happened, and like really talk about it because he just introduced me. He wasn't really part of my career beyond um our initial meeting and him helping me make network connections with James Stroud, who was one of the producers on my first record, which he also then signed you to Straddo Various, which was imprint under It was under then R and J Records, So it wasn't an imprint, it was Stroud's label. Okay, so is that the second

record though? Yes? So Tommy Matola introduced you to James Stroud? How did that meaning happens? I want to know how you got that room situation? How are you all all in the same room? So I basically was writing from an early age and performing. Are you in Nashville at this point? Not yet? Not yet? Was at Clemson? You're in college now, first record deal is done, hasn't happened, So the timeline is Okay, you know, I'm being really confusing. How sometimes when I think about it, I'm like, how

what order did this happen? Okay? So just yeah, to break down the timeline. So I start playing with the B Street Band, get connected with my investor. We haven't struck a deal or a record deal or any formal agreement on how we're going to do this. We're just like, we're going to Nashville. Um before I make that move, because I I am invested in my career at Clemson. At that point, I was in the middle of my sophomore year. Everyone from my family goes to college or

went to college. So the concept of leaving to go to Nashville was a scary one and very unconventional. So did you bail on Clemson? I did that piece out, I said, peace out. But I wasn't going to just sling a guitar over my shoulder and be like I'm own to Nashville with like a hobo stick. My parents are like, you need to lay down a foundation of uh, you know, where are you going to live, who are you going to work with, what's the game plan? And now we realized that you can do all of that

and grow it out the window. But good intentions there, ye, Your plans in the music industry are like always laughable. Ambition is not. So, you know, they knew that I was. I felt then on doing this and if I was going to deviate from the conventional path that most Potomac natives follow, then I had to be serious about it. So I was able to with my investor at the time, my business partner, find a way to get to Tommy Mottola. We found who knew someone who knew someone who basically

was he house next to Tommy and Aspen. It was like seven degrees of separation and nothing really professional. Did you like to or knock on his door? No, but that would have been not past like the realm of was he the goal? Was he the one you're wanting to meet? He was the only one that we could even think of as a contact. And yes, he's way high on the totem pole, but we were so far

removed from anyone within the industry. Just because we were out writing and performing and gigging with this band doesn't mean we had any idea what we were doing from a business perspective. But I love that you're just fearless. Okay, so you got seven degrees to Tommy Bitola. You finally get there. I get some original music through to him that I've recorded in some studio in New Jersey, and Tommy, here's the potential in the vocals. And you were young

at this point. How it was a baby as eighteen, not yet nineteen. So he hears it at eighteen. That's a big deal for Tommy Batola to have some random girl getting the music to him. He actually likes it. Yes, And I'm I'm sure that there was like a political pushed through with this contact of ours. It was like, no, really listen to this, I know, just do me this favor. But he liked it, and so we'll take it. That's amazing. His assistant called me when I was on my way

to class, did you fall out the frame? I did. I didn't go to class that day, I can imagine. But it's such a small little piece of the journey. I think that. Um, it's just it's like if I thought that things were going to happen the way that Tommy laid them out. Six months, You're going to release a single, We're gonna put an album out. Like, none of that happened. So he had a quick release for you. He had big plans, but he really was not involved.

Made the connection with um James Stroud. So I'm gonna link you up with James Stroud. Yes, Laura Stroud was um part of the A and R department at Sony when Tommy was involved with the Dixie Chicks. Okay, so okay, and that's that's James's wife, Yes, not anymore, that was his former wife at the time. Yeah, Um, I know, it's crazy. I feel like it's good. We're putting it,

we're piecing it together. Yeah. So anyway, that was forever and ever and ever ago I wish I could give Tommy more credit, but he really didn't have anything more to do with. But sometimes an introduction from someone like that is a big I mean that goes a long way. Yes, so James. Now I go from having no contacts in Nashville to then all of a sudden having Laura Stroud and James Stroud. Laura being such an amazing publisher, her

ear for a song. She taught me so much about taste and what the difference between a good song and a great song. That's awesome and valuable information. And the funny thing is I went one way at a certain point, she went another and we've connected now. Um And the weirdest way, I work with Marvel black Stock. He's my manager now and he does Blake Shelton. He does Blake Shelton and Kelly and Kelly Clarkson. Yes, good company. Yeah,

just one sorry Kelly Clarkson. No last name, no last name needed really, there's not much of the last name needed, right, And he is just very smart and patient. Love that about him. I think that that's a testament to just his He's a veteran of this industry, but he's also fresh. His perspective and his son Brandon. I think they make a great married to Kelly Clarkson. Yeah, that's right, so cute, and it's just like two generations coming together. And my

husband works at Starstruck. Now. Great is that he has someone to now be a buffer between us because he was managing me in the interim when my last label folded, so RPM. The last song I ever put out with them was a Girl in Your Truck song, which I love the writers of that song, but that was one of those things where it was a great I didn't feel like behind the the meaning of the song. I thought it was a great, very way hit to all

this other stuff that I was about to release. And then unfortunately it was like that time where you had to be, you know, either probro country, pro traditional and there's nothing in between. And I'm like, this is not how we operate. That's not how music is. And um, it's unfortunate that so many people identify artists now based on one single or one right and you know, I think you are a musician and you're married to a musician. You know that there's a lot of depth that you

wish you could see. It's just people's attention spans are we're trained to be like used to listening to music that way. So that's sort of like a way long answer to get back to the Variety show. And also also though Laura, So how did you reconnect with Laura

st Out? Well, Laura and I have always just been really good friends, and I felt like I was at it this time whereas being creative and writing all these songs, and I wanted her opinion as a publisher and someone who you know, really taught me how to hear a good song. And I reached back out to her and this guy was at dinner with her and it was Marvel because she and James had split in a very amicable way, but she and Marvel were together, so I

was almost like, this is Marvel. Better be good to her, Like, you know, you've been in this guy's great but you know, Laura was my girl, and um, even now since we've been working together, she's so respectful of what he does and what I do. But she's also one of the smartest people ever. So how crazy that you worked with her for your first real I guess record to Astrato Various and now you're working with her again in a totally different situation. I mean, we're with Marvel your manager.

Wasn't that crazy? It's crazy. She's absolutely meant to be in my life, and I feel like her opinion is valuable to me now as it ever was. But um, she really was my She helped me in my most developmental stages early on. And then I think that my last two years of being a totally independent artist have also been like times of tough growth but freedom that it's I've been able to sort of surprise myself. It's been really cool. And that's whether Variety Show came out

of okay. But before I get there, so then you meet Tommy Mottola introduces you to James Stroud. So now is that one record together? Your investor with James Stroud? Are you straight on shroud of Various? His label? How does that happen? I was first signed a universal Republic with the Singles deal, and that was orchestrated by Tommy and Doug Morris. But I was working with staff that was about to be Republic Nashville here and also people out of New York. It was not a good it

was not effective. It was exciting, but back on himself and I'm like, I've had record deals. I probably wouldn't have taken that one today. And I don't think that my investor Tom would have taken it either, because so he was investing with the Universal. No, we were just there was the potential for his investment after they eventually got him to invest. So it was just like this, and I believe moving forward, like people need to have

skin in the game. If you're going to team up with anyone, then there's got to be a mutual sacrifice, mean either financial or or passionate about what you're doing or your reputation on the line. I mean, you're asking so much of both people, the artist and the team to get behind it and share it with the world, get it to the world that I don't think I'll ever be in a situation where I was, you know, having to put all the investment in and invest in like of my time and my my life and my heart.

It's like, I think I just heard a little too much. I felt a little too much for a while. Okay, so you'll put out you somebody though, that was the Kings of Leon song. How did you decide to cover that song? I didn't. I was told to do that. It's not thank you, But I think it was one of those things that I had another song ready to go, and if I wasn't going to get to do that, I was gonna do my damnedest to make this opportunity sound the best that it could. Because listen, it's not

oh poor me. I got a deal and I had to do a different song than I was going to do. I still had an opportunity that a lot of people wish that they could have gotten a lot of artists out there who would make be patient with the process, you know, hope that you do something and you get to do what you really want later. That something I think every artist can buy into at one point in

their career, and sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. Okay, so that comes out, and then what happened after you? Somebody came out. So then I think I could just basically condense the following three years into, you know, just one indie label from the next. And it was a tumultous time in Nashville, and it only got worse. But why didn't I get worse? Just so I think indie labels they weren't really able to get artists up the charts like they couldn't can now I feel like, do

you kind of feel that way? Um? Yeah? I think it was extremely political. It continues to be a little bit. But I also think that there are people out there, taste makers, who are exposing people who wouldn't necessarily be up on that pedestal that they would be on if they were the chosen one at a major label. Absolutely, and like some heavy hit or radio people like John Marks is doing that with serious and John Marx is

amazing to me. I think John Marks was someone who and he continues to be at Spotify, but he just played a song. The criteria was does he like it or not? It wasn't oh all the other bullshit that goes into like every decision that you know, like a radio station would have to make where their hands were tied. And I think even the most influential people at radio probably hate a lot of things about the system totally. They get crucified for it. It's like every business is

going to have those drawbacks. Does that mean they're going to stop making music? No way. It's like, Okay, that sucks about that, but I'm sure that it will work in my favor someday and then it's like whatever. So at some point you were Margaret Duranti and then you had a big change and he swayed and you re emerged. Now I just keep as Maggie Rose though, and you came out with a new song, I Ain't Your Mama. So that was in the middle of all the indie deals. Yes,

so that was actually I love that song. You were sassy hot, the vocals were great. Song was I. Um, I wish I still had that leopard dress. I don't have anything so smoking, thank you. I know. I think my dad was like, what the hell is that? Like the first season saw the video. Um, but you know, we've grown up MC grown ods woman. Yes you are. But that was really fun for me, And I think that it was more an act of like, you know,

John Carmonica, he said this, and he wrote this. He's for the New York Times, so I was like, Okay, I believe him what he says, but he said it perfectly. It's like, I feel like it was more of an active liberation for her than reinvention. It's just like that

was the more authentic thing for me. And yes, I think if you look at it on paper, it can seem contrived to be like, oh, you're changing your name and your look, but I was kind of untethering myself from all the mistakes that had been made up to that point, which was so, yeah, you don't even know what you're probably doing at that point, and you know, we were uh throwing a lot of money at the wrong things, and we were making compromises financially and artistically.

And had I really even had time to write something from my soul I did, I wouldn't know what love was at that point. I hadn't had my heartbroken. But by that point when I started going by Maggie Rose, I had seen a lot, and I had been surprised by people and in wonderful ways and disappointed by people and others. We really started to get into the throes

of life. Yes, And I even feel like the last year was like the this is gonna sound so stupid but cheesy, but it was like the Maggie Rose two point oh reinvention last year for me, because is not that every time I cut my hair. I love everything significant, but it was just another thing that I was like, all right, what else can I do? How versatile can we be? Because that to me, flexibility in this industry is what keeps you sane. And I think a flexible

mind is a healthy mind just in general. But it's also like more lighthearted, the more of a chameleon I can be. Then I think it doesn't mean I'm unfocused. I think it just means that I'm forgiving of myself and of those boundaries that we all put around ourselves that having a really good times, you're better than ever. But tell me, where did magre like going back to the early days. Did you see how confused I got? I was like and then and then well there's just

some man you can't remember. Really, Okay, there's so many pieces of the puzzle. Honestly, I had to write a timeline of my life the other day, like from this year to this year. I did this because it starts to blur together and stay with you, Like, you have so many pieces in your life and so many players. There's a lot of moving parts, have so many record deals, so many people that have invested in you, that believe in you. You know, where did Maggie Rose come from? Um,

Maggie is just derived from Margaret. My dad always called me Maggie and Rose is my middle name and Duranti people. For some reason, I always thought it was easy to pronounce growing up. But of course that's like my bias perspective, but no one could ever pronounce it like Durante. Yeah, and that is I think my Italian ancestors would like that, but Durante or Durant or you. And also like, I

think that there's something nice about having that persona. I feel like, until you fake it till you make it. If I have fun as a character and I'm like I'm meant to bring people joy and entertain them, then that's the role I need to fill. That's who I need to be. So you know, when I'm hanging out with you and I'm hanging out with Austin and stuff, I'm Maggie A Marge a Mag's and Margaret and all

the things. But Maggie Rose kind of helped me get into that mindset, like this is this is this is not a hobby, this is like this is for real. There is marketing behind it, There is a brand, and people shouldn't be embarrassed other artists of assuming that persona doesn't mean you're inauthentic. If anything, it means that you have a focus and an appreciation for what we're doing, and I think to having a persona like a stage persona. Honestly,

Michael has that when he puts on his hat. You know, it's like all of a sudden, you know, that hat on and switch into like, Okay, I'm here to rock people's faces. Because you have to pep yourself up for it. You can't just walk out there as your average jump be like oh yeah, I'm just gonna seeing a couple of you can. But if you really want to be the entertainer, like I know you do, you have It's like Beyonce has Sasha fears. You know, I totally get

behind that. Okay, you had. All of that happened like just like I feel like it was like, you know, just that you're swirling. It's all happened pivotal, Like eighty

three was so many things happened. Twenty three when I started going by Maggie Rose, it was at the end of my twenty third year or whatever, and I just feel like it was those really uh dynamic years where you become an adult a little bit, and then the last couple of been like that other big transitional period to where um, I feel like instead of having to posture and do the persona of Okay, now it's time to be Maggie Rose, like, yeah, and you just are

Maggie Ross. Did you know that you are yourself? What you really are? Though? And I love the short hair because it takes a bad as sometimes I want to just glue this to my head. You rocket, like you rocket, and it's your thing and it's edgy and it's hot and it looks so good on you. But aren't you kind of glad that you've got all that just swirl of stuff. It's figuring. It's just so you know, you know what you want to do. You know you've been

through the ringer. But the thing that's so cool, You've consistently had powerhouses believe in you. So there is something that everyone sees in you that they always want to be a part of, which is so such a compliment. I feel like, well, thank you for saying that. I do think that my team right now is unbelievable. I also don't feel like I, like I said, last year, I was setting the table, but I wasn't like, Okay,

I need this manager. This agency was just like Laura coming back into my life, and then Marvel is starting to get interested in Okay, what what does Maggie have going on? And then coming to my shows, and then he and I started having a great relationship and then started working together and signing with Mark Dennis and he's that Um, he's a badass agent at CIA. Oh my gosh, Meredith Jones and Kylan Sharp. So you have an incredible booking agency. They got me on Soul to Soul. We're

going on tour with Faith and Tim. Yes, so I don't know stop when, I don't know when you're going to put this up, but it's going to be in August. And it's not the whole tour, of course, because they're trying to be really supportive of a bunch of Holy. How many how many shows are you playing? With the two in Philadelphia and one in Albany? You were playing no no are you breaked out like Faith and him? It was Thursday morning. I'm not ready to recover from this. Okay, Holy,

you're going on tour Sol to Soul. It's yes. And Norvel called me and Thursday morning early and h I woke up and honestly I answered his call and he was like, hey, I want to be the first to tell you. He he'd probably been up for like seven hours at that point. He's like, I got some good news for Thursday morning, and you're going to be going out with Tim and Faith And I was in shock. I was like, I just wanted to get tickets to

the show, like that was my goal. Is just to make sure that I secured some tickets to the national show. He's like, well, you're going now, so so you're doing the Nashville show. No, I wish, but who cares? I think that I'll be at the Nashville show. Yeah, And um, you're gonna know them. You're gonna sting on the same stage on their tour. Their legendary to me, To me too, like I also, their relationship is legendary to people who can be in the industry and work together and not

get competitive about it and keep it together. I'm sure there were times where it wasn't easy, you know, the out like you and I are both were married to someone who's in this industry. But at least Austin and I aren't in the position where we compete with each other. It's symbiotic. I need him to make it work. He needs me, But he's not trying to be artist, right. I really appreciate an admire to have a couple that's

an artist and they're super hot. Oh my god, Faith Hill, I swear to is one of the main reasons why I moved to Nashville. Yes, back in the day I saw her Ine and I Twain, I was like, I have to be there. I have got to be there. I went to both those shows, and those are some

of my first concerts I've ever went to. Circle. You know, I read this quote and says, don't forget to be thankful for the things you thinks you have that you always wish for, something like that thanks you have now that you always wish for, Like now it feels so cool that you're on that show. But you're also kind of like probably like not shocked. Well, you know, I think I'm just there's like a quiet excitement because I

also think it's a combination of nerves. And you know, this is gonna sound so sad, and I don't mean this in a sad way, but I feel like my joke with Sarah Tomaic, who you know very well, my drummer as we call my career, this is like so the is totally like my sarcastic humor. But we're like, we should name the next album Dangling Carrot, or the

next tour is the Dangling Carrot Tour. Everything's always been the Dangling Carrot because there have been these amazing things, um that I feel like it's just like right there, come here, and we're like and we always just kind of come short from it. But I think that right now where I am, I don't feel that way. The first time you're visualizing, life was preparing you for this, Like, honestly, if you would have gotten it sooner, you might not

have been the artist that you are. You know, maybe you hadn't evolved exactly to where you are into the Maggie Rose that you are truly right, and I hope that that is something that continues happening, because as painful as it can be, it's also really beautiful. And it is painful though, yes it's exhausting, but you know that's all part of it. If I could see my fifteen year old self, I'd be like, hey, everything is part of the pros says, including this stuff that makes you

cry and want to give up. You know, it's also the really high points, Like, you know, I've had some really great things happened lately, And tell me the greatest things that happened that you can talk about, because a lot of stuff is happening that not all his announced and everything so like, and you have just a lot of exciting potential. Yeah, well, I mean I can. I obviously told you about this song that I wrote two and a half years ago that um Lady Gaga just cut.

Now until I hear it on the radio, I don't believe it, but I know for a fact that she went into the studio and put her vocals on it, took time off from her Super Bowl rehearsals to cut the song, And I think that no one can never take that from me. She's even if it never makes an album or even a single or whatever. And I had a hand in writing the song with a bunch of other talented writers, but it was something that I never knew even two and a half years ago that

she would ever hear. And we were writing it from my project and one of the girls that I wrote it with is also a great artist, And when it didn't look like it was gonna happen for me, she was going to cut it, and then someone else had it and it just sort of floated around. I never thought anything was going to come of it. And before Christmas, Lady Gaga and like, if you could, if you asked me to pick any artist who I think is like ballsy and brave right now in our generation, I would

say her. I always would. But it's cool. Compliment freaks me out, though I'm like, Okay, that's awesome. It wasn't even really seeking that out, and it's just one of those beautiful things that comes to you when you're you have your head down and you're working on all this other stuff. I forget about all the seeds that I've

been planting. Maybe they've been watered this whole time, and what if they all sprout at the same time, right, And you know that being part of this catalog that I own now that you know, we Austin and I were saving money for our first house, this down payment, and instead we invested in ourselves and we, with a bunch of family members and family friends, bought it back. And it's just because I wanted to. I didn't want

those songs to languish around. I think that you know, I wrote those while I was a Play It Again and it was such a great space. Is that a publishing company? Yes, played it again as publishing company that Dallas Davidson started. And then you know when we parted ways. You know, I can't ever deny that those two years that I was there, I wrote my ass off and some of the best songs I've ever written. You wanted those songs right well, and I think that we I

wanted to see them come to fruition. And I know that if I take that into my hands and those songs won't sit around, and not that they wouldn't necessarily, but I'm making an album and a lot of that I wrote while I was there, And it's nice to you let me back, but you know now I wait to buy my house. Hey, you know what, You can always buy a house, but when you're going to seize the day when it comes to your art, and I think that's just like part of the crazy, like excitement

and not drama, but like taking a risk of myself. Yes, there's I'm proud to invest in myself that way. And in Austin, I'm pointing that way because my house is over there, stir away. No, it's snowing in Nashville today, So I mean talk about like freezing. It was sunny and perfect yesterday. Now it's snowing, and I was like a woman, you never know what you're gonna get. We love it, we love it. But that's so cool that you and Austin are doing this together as a co

you know, he's just invested as you are. Like, I feel like that is so great And I have no problem talking about this. But I'm showcasing for labels in town right now, and I just had one last week that went so well. And the way that we're doing it because I didn't get here yesterday I've been here for a long time, is we're just showing all this music that I've been writing. I'm making an album with Jimmy Robbins. He's oh, he's amazing. He's amazing, and we're

co producing. But basically I had cut songs before he came in and I sat around for a while and I think it's just like anything when you the and I'm sure you've seen this meme, but it's like creative process. It's like, Okay, this might be good, this is awesome, this is this is the best song ever. And then you're like, okay, I don't know, this is ship. I suck okay, and it just goes this sex then I suck yeah, and then you're just like I quit back again.

And I think, you know, with all the drama of like us relocating to new company, management, new agency, new publishing, everything new, and then our dog got real sick. Was just like this, that's a heavy loof. We had just gotten married and hey, you know what if you can my grandparents and just all this stuff. It was crazy. Maybe God was like I'm gonna really put you guys to the ring or to just get your marriage nice and strong in the beginning, right. So this is from

like when I cut the songs in August. I was just doing this by myself, no one helping me produce it. And then I kind of doubted myself for a little bit, and then I got back to a point where I was like, no, this needs to be done. And Jimmy and I wrote together and it was like it just became apparent that we had great chemistry. Um, Nicole Calwson and Jimmy and I have written a bunch of songs for the project now and then in the studio, like it's just Nicole just wrote she one song of the

Year of the Automist, Freak of Nature. I love writing with her and she'll just like be over there kind of typing. Then she'll spit out like an entire line and you're like, all right, like I love everything about that, and I'm not just like sometimes I want to censor it. Just something so I'm showing that like I'm listening, but

you're like, I'm not just a yes person. But she really is just like really talented, just a beautiful mind and not not in like the weird movie way where he's like a schizophrenic because she's so smart he doesn't actually see other people make stories about them. She's brilliant. And Jimmy his heart is massive, but he's also a boss. Like in the studio there, it's not mindless production. They're intricate choices being made. So tell me about the choices

being made for this album that you're making. What's it gonna sound like? And then I'll actually before tell me this. And then I wanted to recap on the Ride Show because we didn't really talk about that album. I know, I asked me about it, and then I went off under a tangent about Okay, we'll make our way back around. Tell me about what this album is going to be. This album it's the Variety Show was just something I

had to that was that wasn't traditional country music. No, and I think some of it wasn't country at all, and a lot of people, um, you know, you have to check a box when you put a song or album out on iTunes, And given all the time I had invested in country, I was like, well, I'm going to market this too country because that's where my fans

are and the people have supported me. And you know, some of the people that I probably would never be able to have too long of a conversation with in real life were like, this isn't country, and it's like I never said it was, but it has to be something. It's like, you know, the Variety Show. It was something I had to make just to say I'm not done making music. And you killed it. The album Same Sky I put on repeat over and over and over again.

And not that anyone thought I was done making music, but because that's what we output, I had to put something out And thank you for saying that about I loved getting your own videos of you singing it in the car with some friends was like, Maggie Rose has a right what so good? Well? And Leslie fram and she's over at CMT the biggest female advocate and country she's insane. And Stacy Kato and Jordan Walker like that whole crew. Oh, I'm going out on the CMT Next

Woman Tour, next huge deal. So Martin headlining. Talk to me about Martina McBride, who I'm really excited. Her crew has been amazing. They're basically letting us use their gear to play our twenty minutes set. And Postman Rowe there at Starstruck as well, and a trio females who are awesome. Yes, they're great and really fun to be around. I'm excited to be on the road with them. But we're around thing because um my guitar player and drummer are going

to play for both of us. Because there was one or two weekends where I was going to be in Mexico for a songwriting festable I know it sounds just terrible, so they're going to play with Postman Rome at those dates too. But it's just like awesome. It's right where I want to be, especially at the beginning of the Year, Laura Lena, it's you and Postman I will switch off and then Laura Lena and Martina mcbrian CMT Next One

of Country Tour. Yes, and you also renamed CMT Next Woman of Country, which is a big deal to get inducted in those classes and pretty much is like, these are the women to look out for their coming through in country music. That's what I watched growing up. I watched c MT music video countdowns like in my friends basement, and it's really cool to see myself on their countdowns in their Next Woman of a Country segment. It's really it's I think it's gonna be great energy for this.

And Laura Lena is so she's positive, just dropped her album. Yes, what obviously Martinez Martina, I mean, she's the queen. I know. I'm pretty excited hoping to hang out with her. She's like this small and her voice is so massive. Stay with you. She's smaller than me. I've been next to her.

I'm like, oh, I'm tall today. It's awesome. How exciting though, especially coming out of like you said, Tens set the table, you had a lot of like growing pains, a lot of change and now it's like, Okay, you got your manager, you got your team, you got some incredible tours, faith in tim seme teen Next Women tour. Are you just

like feeling light as a feather? And yes I am, and getting this album wrapped up and with a great producer, someone you're driving with, like yes, and who genuinely cares about making an awesome the music and oh we didn't talk about okay, so tell me about the sound for this album. Variety Show was like, I'm kind of showing

you all my sides. It was all over the place. Yes, And I was going to do a Volume two because at that time I had a massed so much me zick that I was like, okay, and I'll just put another one out in a couple of months. It might be a little more aggressive in the pop direction. But I didn't really have this opportunity, like it hadn't quite formed yet where I could make this record with Jimmy

and Norvel wasn't in the picture. So at that point I thought I might just really enjoy putting out these crazy kind of like tapestry Carol King things, except I wish Carol King is just amazing. But I loved that she did that she was a writer, and I got to a point where I was like, maybe I'll just be like the crazy writer who like performs shows every now and then. Now you are, I would have died. I love it. That's such and I think it's cyclical

for me. I know that you know, creativity is, but I need to be performing to fill the well so that I can go back and write and vice versa. That like I need to be hibernating and like fat and happy writing and then out on the in my lean and not quite literally, but yeah, that is part of it where it's like, go let off, go let have to take time for I'll burn out. And that's why I feel like I've been doing this for ten years without ever taking a break, even though I may

have not been releasing music commercially the Pavement. So what can we expect in this album? This album is going to be more cohesive. Obviously, The Variety Show intended to be the opposite um, which is why bringing Jimmy in to produce with me was just like so important because he offers that other perspective where he could see he's written so many hits from patching music too, so he's got a pulse. It's almost like having an A and

R and a producer. Yes, your old man. Yes. And he's perfect, you know, down to just like pulling everything together and the bigger picture beyond just this sonic part of it. I think he's very strategic and comprehensive there. But it's it's got like a cool little swag. It's R and B feeling, but it's a country record. And if you were going to put yourself in company with three other artists that that they would not sound alike, but they would blend well together. Who would you add

to that collection? Um? I think there's I mean, I love what Marion Morris is doing. I know that that's like not original. Everyone loves what Marion Morris is doing right now. I think she's really done a lot for just like pushing those boundaries Carol King I mentioned her already, but I think like those writing and the lyric intention behind her songs in that sense of self is really strong in there. Trying to think of a third and I think it might be more like stylistically, m M,

who am I thinking of? I don't know, I need to think of that, but there's like ah, there's definitely an adult subject matter in some songs, but there's also on the other end, like I think I'm catering to a demographic that might be um like the people who would listen to Taylor Swift too earlier. There's an adult subject matter because you're an adult and I'm an adult woman, and I think that there is a place for that,

like adults music. Also that I think Shania had this sensuality about her but also was super fun and again really creative Shania. It's like, oh, that's a risky one. No one loves Shania. Everyone loves Shania. She kind to put herself out there. Yes, And I think you know, she was sexy and she wasn't afraid of that and she um, she was like a little bit of like Countries Madonna suld reinvent herself and I hope she would

appreciate that as a compliment. But like there is something I mean, being powerful and in touch with your sexuality and your confidence and your intelligence and not using your sexuality because you're like, oh, I want to like try to make everyone see how hot and awesome. It's because you feel good. It's it comes from within. It's not trying to get everyone out there to make out, but like, yes, you feel good and you're always a plus side. Yes.

I have actually had struggled that a little bit of just like embracing my sexuality because I don't want to be like, oh, I'm just trying to get all these people to think I'm so hot, because that's not it. It's just owning your womanhead and feeling great. And trust me, from the outside, it does not look like you have a problem with that. I feel like you look like you're having fun and you're lighthearted, and I think that

that's also like my style, like fashion wise lighthearted. It's ame thing with like do you ever feel like you're getting too in a uniform? Then I think that that goes from being focused to just being closed off and kind of regimented. And it works in a lot of aspects of life, but not necessarily from my music or what I put on to wear. I love that you love fashion too, though, Like fashion is a big part

of you. I feel like it is. I feel well, yeah, and sometimes I miss but I think that means I'm trying. But you like really embrace it and go for it, and like have really developed a style with it, which I love, Thanks Carol. I love it, even to your hair, the way you cut your hair, like it's such a statement.

It's awesome, like it's thank you. I think there's nothing to hide behind and it, you know, I get out the door a little bit quicker, which I used to spend five minutes when my hair was down to here. It's all like wavy because it was before I had processed it like this. It comes out of my head like this, okay. But I there's power to that too. I think it's just a different stage of my life. And I had had it. I'd had it and enjoyed it.

And there are times where I look at your like long, beautiful, luscious locks, beautiful, and I get but you rocket though, it's your thing, thank you, startling your thing. Thank you. It's it's fun, nothing to hide behind, Okay, So tell me. Obviously a bunch of things are getting crossed off your bucket list this year. What is on your bucket list? I would love to take Austin to Europe and go

touring in Europe, but that will definitely happen. I don't know if that's I want to be, you know, logical with the logistics of my touring schedule and when it's optimal to go there. But that is definitely something I'm going to do. Um. Putting this album out will be a huge bucket list. Just to get that sophomore album out. I think that's one of the most don things for an artist is to be like, Okay, I'm gonna try this again. Let's do it. Um, you know, continuing to play,

keeping my band together. I know these sound not like lifetime achievement things, but that those are my dreams right now. Is just keeping this momentum going. I would love to see Lady Gaga performing this song, hopefully at the Grammys. You know, I'm not trying to be yeah, yes, that'd be go. I want to go to the Grammys next year,

um in two thousand eighteen and be nominated. Yes, But I also like, I want to get back on stages where like I'm reaching a lot of people because that is what made me feel so alive and it made me want to jump on social media every day. Was that rapport and I missed that and I think that these last two years I've felt more behind the scenes because of that, and I've still been touring and doing shows, but not at a rigor that I was before. So

you're ready to get back out there. Yeah, I am, And I think you know, first things first with the music and finishing this. But I think most of the content is almost written, and then we go in and we tweak it. We work on that. But once it's written and laid down the first time, then I can go out and tour, tweak, go out and tour and come back and finding my home. I think with the label, either here in Nashville or in l A will be a big step for me because I haven't offered myself

up for that. Hey Tommy, what she went up to? Yeah, I don't think he's in management now, but I mean my my just for fun. Yeah, yeah, this is what I've been doing since we last spoke. Just in case you were wondering, Yes, he might know. He might know what's going on. He probably doesn't really keeps the pulse on you. We'll see. I'll reach out. I'll call him right when we're done. Yeah, just to bring them on a Sunday. I love it. Okay, So I think have

we pretty much covered all. I'm missing something. I mean I'm missing a million because your life is so interesting, Your life is so interesting. The girl you are the shining start. But I do I do feel like it's such a walkdown memory lane. I couldn't piece some of this earlier stuff together. And I think that's good. I feel like I've not suppressed it, but I've moved past

it on. I love that, Okay. So I like to wrap up with leave your light, So leave some inspiration of how you have been inspired or how you would like to inspire people. I have been inspired by a lot of people. Um my mom, it's definitely someone and

my dad. Their support is crazy, unwavering. But and I always missed this quota, but it was something very memorable that she said to me over the phone, where she says, I want you to write a book, and maybe I should because then I'll keep my details straight when I'm telling people about my earlier years in my career. She's like, write a book and act like act like I'm never going to read it, basically saying, put every gnarly dirty detail.

And that's a great permission from your mom. Yes, And we have a great relationship, my parents and I. She just lets you be yourself and honest, right, And I think yes, that comes with me being an adult now and all the things we've been through, because there's not a single heartbreak or celebration that you know, my parents

haven't been made aware of. But that was really cool permission to be given because I think that if you're inhibited as an artist, some of the first people that will inhibit you are the ones that you know you want to behave around. And everyone has that one person they think at first and they're like, oh gosh, this

person wouldn't approve of this behavior. But it's also I think her showing full acceptance of me and trusting in my integrity and my artistry that you know, whatever I do right, even if it's a little bit um, you know, out of the box, or if it pushes boundaries that I would find her to maybe raise an eyebrow at, that's still something that she wants me to put out there. And I think that's really empowering. And my parents are

crazy fun. So do you have to leave them when they say that, do you have any inspiration you'd like to leave people? Yes, I think that you And it sounds really trite, but it's what we were saying. You can't get discouraged by the doors that are going to be slammed in your face, because that's going to happen

a lot. And then you also can't not be present in the moments when the doors are open for you too, because I think people take for granted when they're given access to great opportunities, but the things that stick with them the longest are like the painful memories and growing pains. Yes, but I think if you appreciate both of them and you're present enough to realize when those things are happening, then you see the balance and you get patient with

a bigger picture. Oh that is like Oprah would be like, oh my gosh, that's an a Hall moment, like dropped the mike. I'm oh, I mean that is good? Or hey, I would That's my dream. That's my bucket list is super Soul Sunday with Oprah one day, yes, before I die, before she retires, which totally she never does. Before you die. That Okay, Maggie, thank you so much for joining me. I love you so much. I'm so excited me too. It's gonna be great. You kill it. You just got

me ready for this year. I'm like, Okay, I gotta get to work. This is it, okay, Maggie Rose care. I hope you loved hearing from Maggie Rose, and y'all pay attention because she is about to blow up. Next week, I have Ali Ryan joining me. She is hair guru to all of the stars. She opened up an amazing place called the Dry House in Nashville. It was the first dry bar that we had. She does hairstyle. She has about twenty employees that do the most amazing hair,

all these braids, great curls. She also does guys hair, and she does all the stars from Thomas Dright and his wife, Florida, Georgia Line and their wives. She does Dan and Shay their wives, and she also does Jay go In, she does Brittany and Jason al Dean, she does everyone. She does Little Big Town of Karen Fairchild, Casey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert. She colors and cuts all these stars hairs and we talk about everything. It is so great and she believes in the secret and the power

of positive thinking. So I'm so excited to have Ali Ryan joining me next week.