Megan Moroney admits she has bad taste in men. But it served him well in his musical career.
The country music artist burst onto the scene in 2023 when her song “Tennessee Orange” was released. This song, about a Georgia girl and Bulldogs fan who falls in love with a Crimson Tides fan from Alabama, is now certified double platinum and puts Moroney on the map.
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Since then, the Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records artist has won multiple awards, performed on shows ranging from “Today” to “Good Morning America,” and embarked on her own tour.
He was honored with three awards at Sunday night’s CMT Music Awards and performed twice, once with the band Old Dominion.
The 26-year-old from Savannah, Ga., was an accounting major at the University of Georgia before finding success in country music. “But this is a thousand times better,” he said with a laugh from his hotel room in Austin, Texas, as he prepared for his CMT performances.
“It’s so surreal to see how everything is happening and unfolding,” Moroney said of his seemingly overnight success. “I actually used to sing with my dad because I enjoyed doing it. And it was always just a hobby for me. And even when I moved to Nashville, I thought it would probably still be a hobby for me. And if that doesn’t work out, I’m going to work for a record label to get into the music business because I knew that was more fulfilling for me than accounting. “You know, they always say you’re moving to the city and you don’t have a plan B, but I have very realistic parents who always remind me that I need a plan B because they’re not going to give me money to live.”
It turns out that he doesn’t need to rely on his family to spend money for a long time.
Following the initial success of “Tennessee Orange,” Moroney rode the wave and released her full-length debut album, “Lucky,” showcasing her songwriting skills on songs like “I’m Not Pretty,” which is apt for both jam and groove. CMT Female Video of the Year and Digital Debut Performance of the Year award. She was also nominated for her duet “Can’t Break Up Now” with Old Dominion.
He’s been writing songs since his freshman year in college, and many of his songs are raw and personal. Both of his new albums — “No Caller ID” and “28th of June” — are excellent heartbreaking songs, but he’s okay with letting people into his world.
“I have terrible taste in men,” she said, laughing. “I’m working on this.
“But I always feel like I’m an open book,” he continued. “And writing songs is very therapeutic for me. There is strength and vulnerability. I know that stories like ‘The Girl in the Mirror’ that I tell about my personal life have helped many people. [people].”
But for Moroney, it’s not just about heartache. In the video titled “I’m Not Pretty”, she sarcastically describes how her “ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend” humiliated her and said she wasn’t pretty. She plays both roles in the movie, which she also directed. “It was a really cool process to be a part of and I felt like I was expanding my creative brain even more,” she said.
Collaborating with Old Dominion was also one of the highlights of Moroney’s career so far.
“I had been sent a bunch of duets from a bunch of different artists, and I felt like none of them really fit until I heard the one from Old Dominion,” he said. “It’s different from my stuff, but it’s still branded. And I’m a big fan of Old Dominion. I literally saw them on tour with Thomas Rhett in 2017. I was in a hole, so it’s just one of those things where I had to pinch myself to be able to sing with them and even perform with them at the CMT awards — it’s crazy. “I have to remind myself that I’m not dreaming.”
At the awards, Moroney went through four costume changes, consisting of different looks personalized for her by designer Stefanie Naylor. The California-based designer reached out to her on Instagram and they immediately connected. Since then, Naylor has dressed Moroney for her tour, awards show appearances and stage appearances, helping the artist establish her own personal style.
“My red carpet and presenter outfits are pink because I wanted to honor that ‘I’m Not Beautiful’ music video,” she said. “So I went with baby light pink and then hot pink. Then I’ll be performing ‘No Caller ID’ and I’m wearing the classic dress I always wear on stage; Same shape but light blue, because the dress I wear on my album cover is light blue. I will wear cowboy boots with it.
“And my Old Dominion performance dress is a short black mini with heels; I grew about six inches taller. And it was all designed by Stefanie. I literally tell him what’s in my brain for about three seconds and he brings it out she. And there will be hair changes depending on the dress.”
But offstage, Moroney said his style is “very different.” I guess it’s more of a songwriter version of myself. I wear my hair natural; I don’t have about seven kilos of hair on my head. Eyelash vs. I don’t. Very cold. But on stage the situation seems to be exactly the opposite. I love dressing up and being on top. “Yes, I think it’s a lot of fun, but it’s definitely a staged look.”
So what’s next for Moroney? He said he’s ready to put the finishing touches on his next album.
“I really live in the studio and I’m almost done,” he said. “There will be a few things that need to be done on the back end, but we’re getting closer.”
He will also have a full summer. Not only will he headline the “Lucky 2.0” tour, he will also open for Kenny Chesney, play Stagecoach and Lollapalooza festivals, and head to England for his first overseas tour.
Take a look behind the scenes as Megan Moroney prepares for the 2024 CMT Awards in the gallery below:
Preparing for CMT Awards 2024 with Megan Moroney, Photos
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“You know, I think I’m still trying to learn how to balance my day,” she said. “I can’t even think about what I’ll be doing three months from now because it’s so great to be on tour everywhere. But being in the moment and present is also difficult. I think I’m mostly off in November and December, so I can be home and rest.
But this won’t last long because Moroney has many goals for his career; these include selling out even larger venues and adding new followers while continuing to connect with his fan base.
“And I want to play Red Rocks and the Royal Albert Hall in the UK – random stuff.”
Launch Gallery: Preparing for CMT Awards 2024 with Megan Moroney, Photos
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