Megan Moroney’s rise in the country music scene was fueled by teenage heartbreak and a trip to Guitar Center.
The 28-year-old, behind hits like “Bless Your Heart” and “I’m Not Pretty,” has built a brand on vulnerable lyrics and all-things pink, leading to her current world tour. In between one of her “Cloud 9 Tour” stops in New York City, Moroney spoke to Willie Geist about the start of her success on TODAY’s Sunday Sitdown.
During their chat, the singer revealed that she inherited her music genes from her dad, who taught her to play guitar and also worked a second job as a musician.
Moroney, who grew up in Douglasville, Georgia, spoke to Willie about the pivotal moment in her childhood that prompted her to pick up a guitar.
“When I was, like, 16, I injured my knee in cheerleading. That’s why I have this gnarly scar right here,” she said, showing Willie the proof.
She continued, “I had nothing else to do but sit down and learn how to play guitar.”
She started learning how to play Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine.” But while she was trying to get a grasp of the instrument, she dealt with a second dose of bad luck — she experienced her first heartbreak.
“I got my first guitar, shortly after that, (I) got my heart broken for the first time. I wouldn’t stop crying, so my dad took me to Guitar Center,” she recalled. “And I remember there was a Memorial Day sale. But when I took the Taylor (guitar) down, my dad goes to pay for it. And (they’re) like, ‘Oh. This one’s not on sale.’”
Moroney was determined to get her hands on the instrument, so she had to work some magic.
“I remember looking at my dad. And I was like, ‘I’ve had my heart broken, once this week. I can handle it again, if you don’t want to get it for me.’ And that’s how I ended up with my first Taylor,” she shared and laughed.
That moment was the start of what has become a major country music career. Through her songs, Moroney’s fans are able to connect with her and relate to the relationship experiences she often reflects in her music.
Willie mentioned that Moroney refers to these intimate moments with her fans when she is on stage as “group therapy.”
Moroney said she uses that term because her shows feel as though she and her fans are together in a “collective effort,” to release their emotions.
“It’s very empowering to be in a room where everyone feels the same way, you know?” she pointed out. “It’s like, ‘Wow. This person got treated like s—, too.’ And we’re angry about it, together.”
Moroney also spoke about being an “overthinker,” a quality that she says has helped her develop her songwriting skills.
