Maren Morris: A look at the country star's phenomenal rise to fame
The 'My Church' singer has achieved so much already!
Last updated 29th Jun 2021
Maren Morris has been taking the world of country music by storm ever since she burst onto the scene with the release of her infectious single 'My Church' in 2016. Not only have both of her albums taken the top spot on the country album charts, she's also won a Grammy Award and was voted Female Artist of the Year at the Country Music Awards in 2020.
But just how did Maren Morris become one of country music's biggest and brightest stars? Here's everything you need to know about her phenomenal rise to fame.
How did Maren Morris get famous?
Career beginnings
When Maren Morris was 12-years-old, her father bought her a guitar and she started to write songs and perform at local clubs. Just three years later, aged 15, she released her own independent album titled 'Walk On' in 2005. This was followed by the release of her second independent album, 'All That It Takes' two years later.

At age 20, Maren moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. She auditioned for The Voice and American Idol but was rejected from both shows. However, despite this disappointment, she went on to release her third independent album, 'Live Wire' in 2011 and penned songs for both Tim McGraw and Kelly Clarkson.
2015: The 'Maren Morris' EP is released
After several years of working in Nashville trying to get her big break, Maren self-released her self-titled EP onto Spotify in 2015. The EP was an overnight success and its five tracks, including 'My Church', amassed 2.5 million streams on Spotify in just four weeks. After attracting the attention of several major record labels, Maren was signed to Sony Music Nashville that same year.
The label re-released the 'Maren Morris' EP just a few months later, with 'My Church' as its lead single. Thanks to substantial airplay on country radio and a growing fanbase, the EP charted at Number 27 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and Number 1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart.
2016: 'Hero' is released
Thanks to the success of her EP, Maren released her first major-label debut studio album 'Hero' in 2016. It received critical acclaim from fans and critics alike and went on to reach Number 1 on the Top Country Albums Chart and Number 5 on the Billboard 200 Chart.
The album's lead single, the re-released 'My Church', topped the Country Digital Songs Chart as well as reaching Number 5 on the Top Country Songs Chart. But it was the album's third single 'I Could Use a Love Song' that would given Maren her first Number 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart.
2017: Grammy Award wins and collaborations
Maren Morris won Best Country Solo Performance for her single 'My Church' at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in 2017, as well as being nominated for Best Country Album, Best Country Song and Best New Artist.
After completing her 2017 'Hero' tour, Maren went on tour with country star Sam Hunt and Niall Horan, as well as featuring on Niall's song 'Seeing Blind' and Thomas Rhett's 'Craving You'. She also released the single 'Dear Hate', which she recorded with country singer-songwriter Vince Gill, in response to the 2017 Las Vegas shootings. Maren gave all of the proceeds from the song to the Music City Cares Fund.
2018: Marriage and 'The Middle'
Maren Morris married her long-time boyfriend, fellow country singer Ryan Hurd on 24th March 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. The couple originally met during a co-writing session in 2013 and started dating two years later.
Later that year, Maren collaborated with German record producer Zedd and American music duo Grey on song 'The Middle'. The song, which blends country, EDM and pop, reached Number 5 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart and has since surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.
2019: 'Girl' and The Highwomen are formed
Maren Morris released her second major label studio album 'Girl' in March 2019. It debuted at Number 1 on the Top Country Albums Chart and Number 4 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Two of the album's singles, 'Girl' and 'The Bones' also topped the Country Airplay Chart.
Also in 2019, Maren joined forces with Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby to form the country group, The Highwomen, inspired by the supergroup Highwaymen which consisted of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. The group's self-titled album was a success, reaching Number 1 on the Top Country Albums Chart and the Top 10 on the Billboard 200.
2020: The birth of her first child
In March 2020, Maren Morris gave birth to her son Hayes Andrew Hurd, her first child with husband Ryan. In a fitting cameo for a new mother, Maren also made a guest appearance on children's TV show Sesame Street in 2020 and performed the song 'Oops! Whoops! Wait, A Ha!' to encourage children to keep trying when learning something new.
Thanks to the major success of her single 'The Bones', Maren was awarded Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2020 Country Music Awards.
2021: Another Grammy win
Already this year, Maren has performed at the The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony and won yet another Grammy Award for Best Country Song for The Highwomen's single 'Crooked Table'. She was also awarded Song of the Year for 'The Bones' at the ACM awards in April 2021.
Maren Morris also featured on pop star Taylor Swift's song 'You All Over Me', which was release in March 2021.
Read more:
Maren Morris: From club singer to GRAMMY Award-winning country music star
Maren Morris shares super cute photos her newborn baby boy
Maren Morris celebrates 7 years since moving to Nashville with a heartwarming post
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