Miranda Lambert is one of the more unfussy country stars in the industry, and her girl-next-door charm shone as she performed "Bluebird" during CBS' ACM Presents: Our Country event on Sunday night (April 5).
Lambert looked quite cozy, sporting a blue bandana as a headband and a distressed flannel shirt. She reflected on getting married to husband Brendan McLoughlin on that very porch and how much being in the Tennessee woods brings her comfort.
"We’re in it together. Thank goodness for technology [so that we] can still connect," Lambert began. "Music is medicine, I’ll say it before and I’ll say it again." The star let her voice and trusty acoustic guitar do the rest of the talking as she cooed the motivational chorus: "I'll keep a light on in my soul/ Keep a bluebird in my heart."
Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Little Big Town and Luke Bryan were among the many artists who previously performed during Sunday night's event. The 2020 ACM Awards, which was one of many events rescheduled due to the ongoing pandemic, will now take place Sept. 16.
Lambert is currently the reigning queen of the awards show, winning the most album, song and female artist of the year trophies. "Bluebird" is featured on Lambert's 2019 album Wildcard, which topped the Top Country Albums chart upon its debut.
Lambert performed her latest single “Bluebird” from the comfort of her farm in Tennessee. While seated on her porch, the sound of water behind her could be heard as she explained it’s from the natural springs around her property.
“I actually got married right here,” she said. “Thank goodness for technology that we could still connect. Lean into your music and let that heal you because music is medicine,” she said. Seated alone with her acoustic guitar, the reassuring lyrics of “Bluebird” took on new meaning as Lambert delicately plucked her guitar
Miranda Lambert first gained national attention on a USA Network reality show called Nashville Star, but she didn't really have her breakout moment until several years and several failed singles later.
The country hitmaker's place in country music history is now secure, but early on she needed patience and a patient record label to stand behind her. None of her first five singles reached the Top 10 on the country radio airplay charts, but she was making a name for herself as an artist who stood behind her convictions and remained true to the music and who she was. That was good enough eventually, but she got a big boost one fall night in New York City.
"I get nervous every time I do live TV, but that was, like, the moment where I knew I could either make a name for myself or be forgotten forever,” Lambert tells Taste of Country. "So it had to be powerful."
This week's episode of The Secret History of Country Music explores what happened before and after her moment at the 2005 CMA Awards. It wasn't a Chris Stapleton moment where she went from nobody to headliner overnight, but it was arguably what saved her from becoming another footnote in country music, to be written about in future "Remember When" segments.
In 2020, Lambert stands as country music's most decorated female artists, with several albums that make 'Best Of' lists for the 21st century. Back then, she was an outsider still years removed from becoming a true headliner.
The Secret History of Country Music is a weekly series that goes deeper inside the stories of country music's biggest hits, moments and figures. Season 1 explored Bobby Gentry's disappearance, the death of Blake Shelton's brother and the real reason Eric Church was blacklisted. Be sure to subscribe to Taste of Country's YouTube channel so you never miss a new episode.
Like many celebrities, Miranda Lambert has remained active on social media to help make matters as normal as possible during the COVID-19 quarantine. While we’ve loved seeing the “It All Comes Out In The Wash” singer donning dinosaur sweatpants while cooking, standing beside Joe Exotic in the most epic throwback, and joining the Junk Gypsies for a virtual prom, her most recent post captured our attention most.
In a raw snapshot into her world, Miranda shared the realities of touring with followers and what she’s doing during social distancing to keep her creativity high.
“Sunday thoughts,” the 36-year-old singer began. “When people ask me questions about all the traveling I’ve done, my answer is pretty much the same every time. ‘I’ve been everywhere but I haven’t seen much of anything.’”
Despite touring for 19 years, Miranda shared that she typically rolls into town solely for the show, wraps things up after her performance is over, and heads on to the next town. And now, more than ever, she’s realizing what a shame it is to only have spent “some real time” in a few places.
“After spending these last few months at home (a much needed break and time to nest❤️) I realized something,” Miranda continued. “Just because I can’t travel and play shows doesn’t mean I can’t travel and make music. I have the most amazing travel companion, my husband, and we decided to add a family member.”
She then went on to introduce followers to her new travel companion—a shiny trailer that, let’s be honest, many of us would love to have parked in our own driveway.
Miranda Lambert has revealed that damage storms in Tennessee caused at her $3.4million Tennessee farmhouse.
The 36-year-old country star took to Instagram on Tuesday morning to share a gallery of images of the destruction which left 100,000 people including her without power.
Despite the havoc the storms left on the area, Miranda was happy to report that no person or animal was hurt on her property.
She wrote: 'The storms that came through TN this weekend took a toll on our farm. So very thankful no one was hurt Including animals and structures. A ton of huge old trees just uprooted and snapped in half.'
Lambert posted several images of toppled over trees on the property as there were reportedly 80 reports of fallen trees reported in Davidson County alone.
The initial number of people without power was more than 130,000 according to Nashville Electric but by Monday it had been reduced to 100,000.
