Today’s spotlight artist knows exactly who she is. We chatted with country singer, Morgan Myles about her upbringing, her music, and everything in between. Even before she was releasing records and touring the country, Myles was in love with the genre.

The songstress grew up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania with an undeniable love for music. “I just oddly had this voice,” Myles shared, recalling how her mom first discovered her talent when she was just four or five years old. Soon after, her mother enrolled her in piano lessons, even taking the lessons alongside her because Myles was so young. “My very first piano concert was with my mom.”

Myles grew up immersed in dance, theater, school musicals, and countless hours listening to artists like Mariah Carey, Jackson Browne, and Alanis Morissette. Most importantly, she was surrounded by parents who believed in her from the very beginning. “My dad still goes on the road with me and helps me out,” she shared. “We’re just a very supportive family.”

As she got older, one mentor opened her eyes to the music world even further. Guitar teacher Dave Brumbaugh introduced Myles to artists like Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, and Janis Joplin while mentoring her through the Uptown Music Collective. She discovered her soulful sound, while cultivating more of her gift. “I identify with being soul country,” Myles shared. “I’ve always had this soulful voice.”

The Turning Point:

After spending her freshman year at Berklee College of Music, a few unexpected opportunities began pulling her toward Nashville. She transferred to Belmont University, studying music business while continuing to chase her dream. “It didn’t really pan out,” she laughed, reflecting on one of the industry meetings that initially brought her to town. “But it got me here.”

Once in Nashville, Myles learned that Nashville truly was a ten year town. Instead of giving up, she found herself surrounded by mentors who continuously pushed her to become a better artist, songwriter, and performer. “I had a guy at A&R tell me, ‘You need to go get your heart broken.’” At eighteen years old, Myles thought the advice sounded ridiculous. Looking back now, she understands exactly what he meant. “It’s conviction,” she shared. “It’s being able to really convey that connection to your audience.”

Rather than chasing shortcuts, she focused on developing her craft, writing songs, performing, and building a career rooted in purpose. “I appreciate that I got to go through the hard knocks because my why is so much stronger,” she shared.

That work ethic eventually led to the creation of her latest album. Working alongside producer Ross Hogarth and collaborator Gary Nichols, Myles wrote roughly eighty songs in just five months, spending much of her time creating in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and Austin, Texas. The process was intentionally old school. Every song started as a simple vocal-and-guitar work tape. There was no autotune. No shortcuts.

“In a day and age where everything is so contrived and not real because of AI, there’s something to be said for going the opposite way,” Myles shared. What began as an album exploring love, healing, perseverance, and growth would eventually take on an entirely different meaning.

Today:

Flash forward to today, and Myles’ newest project, Laced feels less like an album and more like a diary. While much of the record had already been written and recorded, life suddenly changed in ways she never could have anticipated. After getting engaged, buying a home, and planning a wedding, Myles found herself facing the difficult reality that the relationship wasn’t what she thought it was.

“One month later, I said we got to call this wedding off,” she shared. “You’re not who you said you were.” At the very same time, her grandmother was battling severe dementia, her mother spent five days in the hospital following a medical emergency, and Myles was in the middle of touring nearly fifty shows in three months. “I’m trying to deal with all of it,” she recalled.

Perhaps the most symbolic moment came during the album photoshoot. The wedding dress had already been purchased. The wedding veil was already packed. “I packed up my veil and put it in my suitcase,” she shared. That veil ultimately became part of the album cover itself. “Everything in that album is really sentimental. It’s very diary-esque.”

As difficult as the experience was, Myles chose to share much of her healing journey publicly. A video of her trying on her wedding dress after the breakup received nearly five million views, prompting thousands of women to share their own stories of heartbreak, divorce, and choosing themselves.

“I posted it as part of my healing journey,” she shared. Today, Myles hopes listeners walking through similar seasons find comfort in the music. “I’m hoping that other women or people going through heartbreak just know that you’ve got to choose yourself, even though it’s hard.”

While she continues promoting the album and touring throughout the year, the singer-songwriter is already teasing new music, including what she jokingly describes as her “most unhinged song” yet. As for what comes next, she’s still figuring that out.

Stay tuned for more coming from the stellar artist!

Connect:

To keep up with Morgan Myles, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Morgan Myles’ music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.