Maren Morris on Not Fitting Into a Country Box: ‘I’m a Little Bit of Everything’
Maren Morris is passionate about country music, but she won't put herself in a box. The "My Church" singer found massive radio success on the collaborative pop hit "The Middle" (with Zedd and Grey), and she's not bothered by the flak she received from hardcore country fans.
"After 'The Middle,' I've just become braver, and I don't really care so much about the thing that may end up happening that I've already dealt with in the past: [People telling me] "You're not country!" Morris shares with Billboard.
"And that's okay," she adds. "I'm a little bit of everything. I'm myself. I'm an artist. I'm not going to be one color."
Maren Morris' "Girl" Is an Anthem
The burgeoning superstar is readying a sophomore album she describes as a melting pot of sounds, noting that one song features a string section, while another unifies pop and R&B.
"My voice strings everything together in a cohesive way," she says. "I think 'The Middle,' and touring around the world the last couple of years, has made me see beyond the frame of the U.S. There are fans all over the world who love all kinds of music, and I'm one of them, so my album reflects that."
Morris has released the first single from the TBA new album — a power anthem called "Girl" that's a message of encouragement to herself and all women. The singer has five nominations at the upcoming 2019 Grammy Awards, two of which are for "The Middle" in the categories of Record of the Year and Song of the Year. She's also up for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Dear Hate" with Vince Gill; and Best Country Solo Performance for her cover of Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters."
Following in the footsteps of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, Morris is headlining an all-female tour soon. Girl: The World Tour with RaeLynn and Cassadee Pope runs from February through August.
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