In a candid NPR interview, country music star Kacey Musgraves has addressed long-standing rumors of a feud with fellow artist Miranda Lambert, stemming from a songwriting dispute a decade ago. The 37-year-old singer revealed that the track "Mama's Broken Heart," originally intended as her debut single, was pitched to Lambert without her knowledge in 2013, leading to what she described as a "tricky situation." Musgraves, whose career has been marked by Grammy wins and introspective songwriting, spoke openly about the incident while announcing her sixth studio album, Middle of Nowhere, set for release in May.
Musgraves explained the backstory during the interview, noting that by 2013, she had spent years as a staff writer in Nashville, crafting songs for other artists. "It was gonna be my first single and I loved the song so much," she said. "I had been a staff writer for years at that point, writing for other people and had finally felt like I was collecting songs that felt like me that I didn't wanna pitch to anyone else." The song, co-written by Musgraves along with others, was part of a collection she was excited to launch her solo career with, but it was offered to Lambert unbeknownst to her.
Lambert, known for hits like "Gunpowder & Lead," recorded "Mama's Broken Heart" for her 2013 album Four the Record, and it became a No. 1 hit on the country charts. Musgraves recalled the moment she learned of the pitch: "I had a lot of excitement around me and the song at the time," she told NPR. The situation involved considerations for her co-writers, making it complicated to reclaim the track. Ultimately, Lambert kept the song, forcing Musgraves to pivot. "And ultimately, I'm really glad that I did, because it forced me to write 'Merry Go Round,' which ended up making way more sense for me anyways, aesthetically and lyrically, to kick my whole thing off, versus 'Mama's Broken Heart,'" Musgraves reflected. "And that ended up going No. 1 for her. So in the end, everyone won because I was able to let go of something."
The incident fueled speculation of bad blood between the two artists, both prominent figures in country music during the early 2010s. Musgraves' debut album, Same Trailer, Different Park, released later that same year, featured "Merry Go Round" and went on to win the Grammy for best country album in 2014. The album's success launched Musgraves into the spotlight, earning her a reputation for blending traditional country with personal, sometimes controversial, lyrics. Meanwhile, Lambert's version of "Mama's Broken Heart" solidified her as a powerhouse in the genre, with its sassy take on small-town gossip and heartbreak resonating widely.
"It was a tricky situation," Musgraves said, noting she "had other co-writers to consider" in the situation. In the end, Lambert recorded the song, leaving Musgraves having "to go back to the drawing board."
Years later, the rumored tension appears to have dissipated, as Musgraves' upcoming album includes a collaboration with Lambert. The track, written in just a few hours with producer Shane McAnally, marks a "full circle" moment for the pair. Musgraves described reaching out to Lambert after spotting her on Instagram riding horses, a shared interest amid their personal lives. Both artists have navigated high-profile divorces—Lambert from singer Blake Shelton in 2015, and Musgraves from musician Ruston Kelly in 2020.
"We ain't friends, but I guess we have two things in common, horses and divorces," Musgraves recalled thinking. She emphasized that they weren't close but saw potential in the idea. "I just randomly reached out to her and I was like, 'I know we've had our s--- over the years, but listen, we've at least got two things in common. I'm not trying to be your friend. You got your life, I have mine. But I think this would be a pretty f---ing funny song, and we should write it with Shane [McAnally].' And she was like, 'Hell yeah, I'm in, let's do it.'" The resulting duet, according to Musgraves, allowed them to "air out any of the old laundry," turning past friction into creative synergy.
The new album, Middle of Nowhere, is described in a press release as "a sonic love letter to the musical borders of country." It was written during a period of reflection following Musgraves' divorce, capturing themes of post-breakup clarity. Musgraves, an eight-time Grammy winner, has evolved her sound across albums, from the twangy introspection of her debut to the psychedelic influences of 2018's Golden Hour, which swept the Grammys in 2019, winning album of the year and best country album.
Musgraves' career trajectory highlights the competitive nature of Nashville's songwriting scene, where aspiring artists often pen hits for established stars before breaking out on their own. In 2013, at age 24, she was still establishing herself after appearing on the TV competition Nashville Star in 2007. The loss of "Mama's Broken Heart" could have derailed her momentum, but instead, it propelled her toward authenticity. "Merry Go Round," with its critique of small-town conformity, became her breakthrough single, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earning a Grammy nomination.
Lambert, 40, has long been a trailblazer for women in country, with 10 studio albums and multiple ACM Awards. Her divorce from Shelton, finalized after four years of marriage, was a media spectacle, followed by her marriage to Brendan McLoughlin in 2019. The collaboration with Musgraves comes at a time when both are reflecting on personal growth; Lambert has spoken publicly about her own songwriting process post-divorce, emphasizing resilience in tracks like those on her 2022 album Palomino.
While Musgraves initiated the outreach, representatives for Lambert have not yet commented on the collaboration or the past rumors. Fox News Digital reached out to Lambert's team for a response, but no statement was available as of the interview's publication. The duet's humorous tone, as described by Musgraves, suggests a lighthearted resolution to any lingering issues, potentially appealing to fans who followed the feud speculation over the years.
Beyond the Lambert track, Middle of Nowhere promises to explore Musgraves' roots in East Texas, where she grew up in Golden, a small town that inspired much of her early work. The album's release in May aligns with the spring touring season, and Musgraves has hinted at live performances showcasing the new material. Her previous tours, including the 2023 Deeper Well promotion, drew sold-out crowds, blending country staples with indie flair.
The story of Musgraves and Lambert underscores the collaborative yet cutthroat world of country music, where songs can make or break careers. Mickey Guyton, another artist in the genre, recently expressed admiration for Musgraves in a separate context, saying she "loves" both Musgraves and actress Reese Witherspoon after working with them on the Apple TV+ series My Kind of Country. Such endorsements highlight the supportive networks forming among female country artists amid industry challenges.
As Middle of Nowhere approaches, it represents not just artistic evolution for Musgraves but a mending of fences in Nashville's tight-knit community. Fans eagerly await the duet, which could chart and further bridge generational divides in country music. With Musgraves' track record of Grammy success— including wins for Golden Hour in categories like best country solo performance for "Butterflies"—the album is poised to continue her streak of critical and commercial acclaim.
In the broader landscape, collaborations like this one signal a maturing industry, where past disputes give way to mutual respect. Musgraves' willingness to revisit the 2013 drama shows growth, and Lambert's quick agreement to participate suggests shared history need not define future partnerships. As the May release date nears, the music world watches to see how this "full circle" moment resonates.