 Women of Country has the exclusive premiere of Megan Wilder’s new song, “If I Knew”, check it out here! “ “If I Knew” is all of the questions that I think a lot of us naturally ask ourselves after a break up. It’s replaying different scenarios and wondering, if we did even one small thing differently, if things would have still played out the way that they did. And then asking ourselves if we would do it all over again knowing what we know now.”When the song was written, it was originally meant to be pitched to a few other artists the writers, Andrew Hannigan, Whitney Dean and Wilder had in mind. “We got a good demo, which was actually more of a pop piano ballad, but I remember after we finished it, it felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders that I didn’t even realize was there before. The lyrics were so personal to this pain and heartbreak and grieving that I had been unknowingly burying for a really long time, and that’s when I decided that I couldn’t let go of it and that it carried too much of me in it to have somebody else tell the story.” When it comes to Wilder’s songwriting process, ideas usually come to her when driving which is when the voice memo app on her phone comes in handy. When asked who she looks up to, Megan mentions Carrie Underwood Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris and Emily Weisband, not only for their abilities as artists and songwriters, but for all of the doors that they have opened up a lot of doors for other women in country music. Furthermore, Wilder gets personal and says “I’ve also always looked up to my mom. I know that sounds kind of cheesy and cliche but my mom is truly one of the most hard working, boss women that I know and she has taught me so much about work ethic and paying your dues and working hard for what you want, but that nothing is too far out of reach.” Megan has always loved the freedom of being able to simply tell her own stories exactly the way that they happened and feel that country music embodies that the most. “It’s raw and honest and genuine, and it always has been. The core of my music though is rawness and honesty. Just being open and candid no matter what the situation is. Being a vessel for other people to put words to how they’re feeling has always been really important to me, and I think that also plays a big part in my sound.” Wilder grew up in San Ramon, CA, a city about an hour outside of San Francisco. Her dad was super musical and was always picking a guitar or playing the piano or singing around the house. “My whole family has always been extremely supportive. Ever since I decided I wanted to pursue music as a career, my mom would drive me to and from choir practices, play rehearsals, singing competitions all over the West Coast, voice lessons every week, etc. So I've definitely been really blessed to have parents that have always been so supportive, especially because I know that not everybody gets to say that.”Growing up, Megan had tons of energy that she didn’t really know what to do with or how to channel it. One of the only things that helped her to understand her emotions and put them into words was music. “Whether that was singing into my karaoke machine after school in my living room or writing my own songs, I felt seen and heard and understood.” Wilder plays live whenever she gets the opportunity and her favorite part about it is testing out new songs that haven’t been released yet. “Getting messages from people after a show telling me that they can relate to one of my songs or that it resonated with them is just wild to me and means so much. I want aspiring artists to know that they should Make your music for themselves first and foremost, and not based on what you think other people want to hear. That realness will come through to your listeners and you would be surprised at how many people share or relate to your truth.” Megan has tons of new music coming this year so make sure you follow her on Instagram at @meganwidermusic for all news!
0 Comments
 Photo from Apple Music Grammy-winning superstar Maren Morris has announced ‘Humble Quest Radio’, a new weekly radio series airing on Apple Music’s global live-streaming radio stations Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Country. On ‘Humble Quest Radio’, Maren bounces between disc jockey, therapist, confidante, warm shoulder, and best friend as she responds to questions, queries, and comments from fans submitted via her Humble Quest HQ Hotline paired with themed playlists tailored to each episode.
On the first episode of Humble Quest Radio, Maren shares stories and experiences with fans about navigating challenging life changes, her personal journey, and how it led her to make her new album ‘Humble Quest’ and accompanying Apple Music radio show. “If we take it back a tiny bit to where this quest started, I was in a very interesting place in my life. We were in a global pandemic, I had recently been a new mother and I lost someone that was very dear to me, my friend and producer, Busbee. And it was kind of the perfect storm for songs to be made out of trauma and tragedy and heaviness, but also new beginnings, like becoming a mom, getting stronger with my partner. I feel like that's how it all happens is, all at once. And from the stories you guys have shared with me, I'm not alone in this experience,” Maren tells listeners. “It's crazy to think that my humble quest has led me to hosting my own radio show, but that's what happens when you're willing to embrace what life throws at you. Throughout this series I cannot wait to see how our journeys are the same, where they're different, what I could learn from you and what I could share with you.” Ahead of the premier of ‘Humble Quest Radio’, Maren joined Apple Music’s Zane Lowe for an extensive in-studio interview about the making of her third studio album ‘Humble Quest’, how becoming a mother influenced her songwriting, collaboration, and more. “I think that I've kind of gotten rid of that fear of it being far too specific and autobiographical to be really relatable to a mass of people... but ultimately it comes down to what I feel when I hear it and when I made it. So I'm really proud of it,” she tells Zane of her new album. Humble Quest Radio premiered on Apple Music 1 today and encores on Wednesday, March 30th at 3:00p PST on Apple Music Country. Tune in live for free at apple.co/_HumbleQuestRadio or listen anytime on-demand with an Apple Music subscription.  Written By - Nicole Marchesi Meet 2022 Artist to Watch Sophia Scott who released “One of These Days” on March 17th. Buy and stream here. Scott refers to “One of These Days” as her “song baby,” as it recounts her story. Scott telling us, “It’s a super personal song, touches on different points in my life that were difficult. It tells the story of my parents’ divorce, then my own first love and heartbreak, and finally dives into me trying to figure out my career, bills, and life as an adult. Hoping that it will all fall into place ‘One of These Days.’”
Scott grew up in Colorado on pop and country music. She notes the Spice Girls and Disney Channel as childhood inspirations. In fact, Scott formed her own girl band in third grade called “The Candy Girls.” Scott moved to San Diego for college and landed in LA shortly after graduation. Travelling to and from Nashville often, Scott finally made the move to Music City. Since moving, she’s had the opportunity to perform at Whiskey Jam, the Ascend Amphitheater with the Jonas Brothers, and Bridgestone Arena with Iggy Azalea. Iggy Azalea’s manger reached out to Scott after hearing “Knock Yourself Off.” Not only was Scott a writer on the song, but she also sang on it. Since then, she and Iggy have collaborated on multiple projects including “Sex on The Beach.” Moving forward, Scott is looking to release a full album and hit the road touring. Her bucket list venue, Red Rocks, from her home state of Colorado. You can listen to all of Scott’s music including “Sweetheart,” Me, Myself, and Wine,” “She Ain’t Me,” and more on her website at www.sophiascottmusic.com.  Singer-songwriter, Hannah Bethel, has announced the release of her upcoming EP, Until The Sun Comes Back Around, which was released Friday, March 25th. The 6-song EP will include pre- released singles, “Bad News Baby” (January 28) and “Godspeed, Los Angeles” (February 25), which have garnered attention from Billboard, Wide Open Country, Amazon Music, Spotify and Tidal, among others. Listen to the full EP HERE.
“Until the Sun Comes Back Around is the culmination of my last few years of life, love and music,” Bethel says of the EP. “Sometimes our emotions and circumstances are so overwhelming, we fear that in fully acknowledging them we may be swallowed up completely. But I have found that the secret is in the surrender. Only by scraping the bottom of the barrel of our experiences can we fully move through them, come clean. The only way out is through. This record is about moving through those stages of grief and transition. It’s about being scared of change, terrified of the unknown, diving in anyways and recreating a new life from the ashes. In the writing and recording of this music, I have found the medicine and the strength to move through all those phases. As always, I am eternally grateful for the gifts of the muse,” she continues. Recorded in Nashville, the EP was produced by Tim Craven (The Brethren/Boys Club for Girls) and mixed by GRAMMY Award- winning engineer, Brandon Bell (Brandi Carlile/The Highwomen/Miranda Lambert and more). The project features Bethel on electric and acoustic guitars and standout vocals, backed by an all-star band, including Sadler Vaden on electric guitars (Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit/Morgan Wade), Billy Justineau on keyboards (Brothers Osborne/Eric Church), Jabe Beyer on dobro, guitars and glockenspiel (Natalie Hemby/Lucie Silvas), Megan Jane on drums (Erin Enderlin/Molly Tuttle), Peter Sternberg on bass (Brothers Osborne), Jacob Thomas, Jr. on bass (Goodbye June), Tim Craven on electric guitar, synth and percussion and Haley Arnott on harmonies and backing vocals. *Track 6 features Bethel on electric guitar and vocals, Luke Marshall on electric guitar, and Lalo Guzman on organ, Mellotron, and acoustic guitar. Bethel is a rare artist who blurs lines between Americana, country, pop, and rock. Her musical artistry reflects who she is: a fierce, independent, wild, and untamed spirit. Her music captures the essence of her signature sound by blending elements of the many genres and styles that have influenced her writing and creative expression. Being fearless and unafraid to bare her deepest feelings in her songs reflects her lifestyle – from solo backpacking in the deserts of Arizona and the mystical Joshua Tree, to hiking snow-peaked mountains in Alaska – Bethel lives her life to the fullest. She has experienced deep love, great loss and the healing power of personal growth and redemption and translates those life experiences to listeners though her music.  Released Today, Humble Quest, Maren Morris’ third album peels back the curtain to showcase a vulnerable side of her life these last few years.
The GRAMMY-winning Texas singer writes songs on the topics of sexuality, femininity, politics during COVID-19, and her transition and journey into adulthood. The album showcases a very modern pop-country sound with beautiful vocals and storytelling lyrics that captivate and take the listener on the road with her. Billboard describes her as “one of the most outspoken advocates for diversity and inclusion in country music — never afraid to speak her truth while never forgoing her love for the genre.” Listen to "Humble Quest" HERE. Morris has received numerous awards including five from the Academy of Country Music, five from the Country Music Association and one from the GRAMMY Awards. I can only imagine the nominations she will see from this album next year! In support of her new album, Humble Quest, the “My Church” singer announced a tour for the spring, summer, and fall in the United States and Canada! Plenty of opportunities to see your favorite songs performed live! A complete list of tour dates below: 03-08 Houston, TX - Houston Rodeo 04-29 Indio, CA - Stagecoach Festival 05-07 Austin, TX - iHeart Country Festival 05-20 Gulf Shores, AL - Hangout Fest 06-09 Raleigh, NC - Red Hat Amphitheater 06-10 Asheville, NC - Rabbit Rabbit 06-11 Portsmouth, VA - Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion 06-16 Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre 06-17 Wilmington, NC - Live Oak Bank Pavilion 06-18 Atlanta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre 06-23 Canandaigua, NY - CMAC 06-24 Columbus, OH - Kemba Live! Outdoor 06-25 Cincinnati, OH - The Icon Festival Stage at Smale Park 07-07 Bridgeport, CT - Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater 07-08 Boston, MA - Leader Bank Pavilion 07-09 Gilford, NH - Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion 07-14 Philadelphia, PA - TD Pavilion at the Mann 07-15 Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE Outdoors 07-16 Toronto, Ontario - Budweiser Stage 07-21 Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre 07-29 New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall 08-04 Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion 08-05 Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica 08-06 Detroit, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre 08-10 Chicago, IL - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island 08-11 St. Louis, MO - Saint Louis Music Park 08-12 Indianapolis, IN - TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park 08-13 Milwaukee, WI - BMO Harris Pavilion 08-16 Vail, CO - Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater 08-18 Salt Lake City, UT - TBA 08-19 Boise, ID - Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden 08-20 Missoula, MT - Big Sky Brewing Company Amphitheater 08-23 Walla Walla, WA - Wine Country Amphitheater 08-26 Bend, OR - Hayden Homes Amphitheater 08-27 Seattle, WA - King County's Marymoor Park 08-28 Portland, OR - McMenamins Edgefield 09-15 Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl 09-16 San Diego, CA - Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre 09-17 Berkeley, CA - The Greek Theatre 09-23 Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Federal Theatre 10-13 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl 10-19 Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre 10-21 Minneapolis, MN - The Armory 10-28 Dallas, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 12-02 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena |