Lori McKenna

One of Nashville’s most beloved singer/songwriters, Grammy-winner Lori McKenna joins us from her home just outside Boston to talk about her brand-new album, The Balladeer, due out July 24. The first song from the project, “When You’re My Age,” featuring her frequent co-writers Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose, is a love letter from parents to their kids as they grow up and move forward with their own lives. Grab your tissues for this one. We discuss the stories behind several of the songs on her album including a tribute to her sister, “Marie,” and “The Dream”, which was inspired by storyline from the hit NBC show This Is Us. We talk about Lori's approach to songwriting, her friendship with Hillary and Liz, and she shares with us where she goes to find inspiration when she feels stuck creatively. Lori’s songs “Girl Crush” (Little Big Town) and “Humble and Kind” (Tim McGraw) were decade-defining songs in country music, and she continues to pen new songs with Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Sara Bareilles.

We also talk with Lori about her experience writing songs for Lady Gaga’s A Star Is Born, and what it was like holding Oprah’s hand while Faith Hill sang a gospel song on The Oprah Winfrey Show.