Lady A; Maren Morris.Photo:Jason Kempin/Getty; Taylor Hill/WireImage
Jason Kempin/Getty; Taylor Hill/WireImage
Maren MorrishasLady A’s support on herdecision to part ways with country music.
After the “My Church” singer-songwriter announced her exit from the genre earlier this month, the members of Lady A voiced their reactions toward the move in anew interview withBillboard.
“I think that, at the end of the day, you’ve got to listen to your heart,” said vocalist and guitar playerCharles Kelley. “If this is what her heart is saying, then more power to her.”
He added that all three members of Lady A — himself, lead singerHillary Scottand multi-instrumentalistDave Haywood— “love her music,” noting that he understands country may not “feel like it’s where she is right now.”
Maren Morris in New York City in September 2023.Gotham/GC Images
Gotham/GC Images
“I’m always gonna be a fan of her music wherever it’s played,” said Kelley, 42. “If you’re making great music, you’re making great music.”
Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley of Lady A in Nashville in June 2023.Ed Rode/Getty
Ed Rode/Getty
Lady A’s Kelley toldBillboardthey don’t create music for people with any specific set of beliefs. “We just try to focus on authentic music that we love, and as country music fans, we feel like this is the genre for us,” he said.
Unlike Morris, the band members haven’t found themselves in the midst of as many political battles on the internet — and Kelley likes to keep it that way. “I try not to focus on too much of the social media world,” he said. “There is definitely a lot of debate out there, but I can tell you, at least speaking for myself, I just want to focus on the music.”
Scott, 37, agreed, telling the outlet Lady A focuses on making “safe spaces for the fans to come and enjoy” the songs.
Maren Morris in Las Vegas in March 2022.Jason Kempin/Getty
In Morris' interview withThe Los Angeles Times, she explained feeling “very, very distanced” from the country industry and its politics. “I thought I’d like to burn it to the ground and start over,” she said of the genre. “But it’s burning itself down without my help.”
The pop artist said she tried to advocate for change but only found that made her unpopular. “I’m trying to mature here and realize I can just walk away from the parts of this that no longer make me happy," she said.
The star continued, “Being one of the few women that had any success on country radio, everything you do is looked at under a microscope. You’re scrutinized more than your male peers, even when you’re doing well. So I’ve had to clear all of that out of my head this year and just write songs. A lot of the drama within the community, I’ve chosen to step outside out of it.”
source: people.com
