Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist - Megan Moroney on Her Rise to Country Music Stardom

Episode Date: September 6, 2026

Megan Moroney has quickly become one of country music’s biggest rising stars, breaking through with her viral hit “Tennessee Orange” and earning the CMA New Artist of the Year award in 2024. Megan got together with Willie Geist at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where she was headlining a sold-out show, and discussed her journey from learning guitar and performing at sorority philanthropy events to eventually moving to Nashville to pursue music full time. She also tells Willie about the story behind “Tennessee Orange,” handling public scrutiny and her new album Cloud 9. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey guys, Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit Down podcast. My thanks as always for clicking and listening along. Very excited to bring you my conversation this week with one of the brightest young stars in all of music, Megan Maroney, country star, yes, but so much more. She has fully crossed over. When her latest album, Cloud 9, came out in March of this year, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, not just the country chart, but all of music number one. And she followed that up with a soul. out arena tour this year, where fans and cities all across the country dressed in pink came out to sing along to her hits. She really broke out about four years ago with the song you probably know Tennessee Orange. She had moved to Nashville after graduating from the University of Georgia a couple of years before that. Two years in Nashville comes out with this song that becomes a viral hit. And then in 2023, her debut album, Lucky, was a smash hit as well and named by Rolling Stone, the top country album of that year. The next year, she wins new artist of the year,

the Country Music Association, and she's off to the races. So what you should know is you get to know Megan Moroni in this conversation is. Our conversation is at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Before you hear our conversation, Megan and I met in Lower Manhattan, hopped on the subway. She had never been on the New York City subway, Georgia Girl. We rode the subway, chatted the entire way, got to know each other, and then arrived at the Barclays Center,

came up the escalator from the subway and on the side. And huge print, it said, sold out Megan Maroni tonight. So we talked just a couple of hours before her show, getting to know her, talking about her rise, the origins, where she fell in love with music, and how all of this has happened so fast for her, really just in the last four years. So sit back, relax, and enjoy Megan Maroney right now on the Sunday Sit Down podcast. We got here on the subway. Nice job by you on the B train, like a pro, like a New York City veteran.

Nicely done. I'm feeling like I really fit in. You do, you do, and you really fit in because you've sold out this building. In fact, it says it right there behind you. Welcome to Barclays Center. Megan Maroni sold out. What does that feel like?

It's weird in a good way, of course. It's just like, it's crazy. I always think about when I'm in an empty arena like this. Like even the seats up against the wall in the nosebleeds, it's like they've been looking forward to today. since the tickets went on sale probably back in December of last year.

So, you know, even what is today? Is today Thursday? Yes. Is today Thursday? Yes. So even like, you know, on Sunday, they're like, okay, this is the week. That's right. You know what I mean?

Like they have their outfit ready. They're probably getting ready as we speak. Probably about to go grub somewhere to. You can't go to group therapy on an empty stomach. And I just like to think that like, even though, you know, I have a bunch of tour stops in a bunch of different cities, when you put it and put it that way and be like, you know, there's groups of people here that have been looking forward to tonight. And I am making it my mission to make every person in this room feel like I'm speaking directly to them. That's a great way to look at it because you're right. People get babysitters.

Right. Like it's a whole thing. Yeah. They get a hotel room. Yeah. So with a bill that you, we sat down and you said, wow, this is a big one. It is a big arena. With a place like this, how do you make that connection to the person with the seat in the back row?

How do you make sure everybody feels like we're all here together? I don't know if it's necessarily a thing I could explain. It's kind of just I make sure that everyone gets attention from me in whatever. You kind of have to be here to understand what I mean. At one point, I do go up in that window and I'm kind of, I level with the people up there, which is cool. but even I think it's just whether I'm physically

singing to a certain section or I'm just trying to be as honest as I can when I introduce these songs to make that person feel like that's exactly how I feel and how does she understand it and I can't believe I'm here right now you know

when I go to concerts and to artists I love I'm like wow we're in the same building So I do feel like, you know, my fans probably feel that way. And I just want to make it special for every single person. You do use that term group therapy. You talk about these shows. And it is in a lot of ways because your audience and your fans connect so closely with the words you've written alone in a room somewhere.

They hear their own stories in your story. So when you say group therapy, what do you mean by that? I think it's just a collective effort in all of the, these venues we've played, and this started, I would say, the MIOK tour, really. It's like, I'm playing all different kinds of songs. So, like, change your heart, you're, it's kind of like a crash out, you're a little bit angry, and you're screaming together. With bless your heart, you are, you know, thinking of someone who bullied you and telling them to F off. With wedding dress, maybe you're sobbing, but it's okay, because if you look over, there's 10 other

people sobbing too. Like, you're never going to be the only person. Right. releasing whatever emotion you need to release at these shows, which I think is just really fun. And the show, honestly, just feels like girlhood. It's like so much fun. And I just love that my fans have kind of created the culture around like, okay, every single song we're giving it our all, whatever we need to heal. Or, you know, obviously some people are just here to have fun. But yeah, I've seen TikToks of even girls have their dads with the lyrics up. ads are being forced to at least read the lyrics aloud with everyone.

So it's less of a concert and more of an experience. You're right. They're a song or a bunch of songs for everyone no matter what you're going through. I'm thinking about like medicine. Someone who's like pissed and wants pay back and has given it back to somebody. And it's very empowering to like be in a room where everyone feels the same way. You know, like it's about different people obviously because they relate to it in their own way. but it's like, wow, this person got treated like, too,

and we're angry about it together. Yes, that's right. So, yeah, it's amazing. You were saying on the subway that this album, you look in the camera on the cover, comes from a place of confidence, maybe even differently than your previous two albums, which are also huge successes.

So what is that confidence? Where does it come from? Why is it different than previous songwriting and performing? I think it has a lot to do with me just getting a little bit older. I'm 28 now, so I trust myself a lot more. I think everyone can relate to when you grow up. You have a lot more experience, and you trust that no matter what life throws you, you're going to be okay.

And that's kind of like was the theme of, or like, I guess, what was in the back of my head when I'm writing some of these songs, like even waiting on the rain is kind of a devastating breakup song, but the lyrics that I wrote are not like my debut album, Girl in the Mirror song, my debut, I'm lucky with the song Girl in the Mirror where it's like, I love the boy more than I love the girl in the mirror. Waiting on the rain on Cloud 9 is like, life will just go on, ain't the first time I've been wrong. You know, so it's like you still experience heartbreak and everything obviously, but there's just like a trust of yourself. It's like, you know what? I've like gone through this before. I'm going to be fine. And being able to feel that way,

kind of spilled into my writing naturally, like not on purpose, but I just feel like that's where I'm at at life, you know? Yeah, your writing is so personal. People use the word confessional a lot, and Dolly Parton was that way, and Loretta Lynn was that way. How do you describe your songwriting style, if there is a style? Oh, I would say it's honest and authentic. I mean, I really am writing about my real experiences. And I also like to, you know, like it's how I felt. I'm not, I don't have a bird's eye view of like what went on. It's like, no, this is how this situation made me feel. So of course, maybe there's another side to the story and maybe my side is too much for someone else. But

it's like, this is how I felt. And I feel like I've just always stayed true to myself. And it's very honest. And I'm an overthinker. I think. think. So I am always trying to evaluate how I feel in situations and then really like remember it, remember how that feeling felt and then turn it into art. Because I think like that's the best way that I found to move on from things is like when I take those emotions and I turn it into art, now we all get to enjoy it. My heart was broken. It's fine now. You know what I mean? So yeah, I guess I would just describe it as, brutally honest, uncomfortably honest would be good.

It's a little bit sassy too. Empowering, but mainly just authentic. I think there's my friends or anyone that knows me would say that I'm always joking around and stuff, and there's definitely humor in my lyrics. So it just feels very me. I don't ever think writing. I just kind of figure out how I feel and then make it rhyme. Yeah.

But with a flare too. A lot of people can make words rhyme. Like, you're really good at it. Hey, guys, thanks for listening to the Sunday Sit Down podcast. Stick around to hear more from Megan Maroney right after the break. Welcome back now more of my conversation with Megan Maroney. When you sit down to make an album like Cloud 9, is there a moment where you say, I've got all this stuff to say.

I'm upset about something, mad about something, I'm happy about something. It's time for an album. Is that how it works for you? Or do you just kind of write songs as you go and then you get to a point where I think I have an album here? Yeah, I'm writing about my life. So whenever something happens is where the inspiration comes from and then I sit down and write the songs

and then once I've got a collection of songs, I try to make sense of it all. And that's how it becomes an album, you know, because I want them to feel cohesive. And I want my fans to be able to understand what's going on with my personal life without me having to blatantly share too much. Like, for example, I did the songwriter's edition for Cloud 9,

which is a vinyl that has the songs in the order in which they were written, which is not the track list. Oh, interesting. So it's kind of, it's fun for me to just, you know, look at life that way too and be like, okay, remember when I wrote these songs. It's like, okay, that makes sense. It's like, okay, still not over this guy, still not over this guy. Met a new guy, really liked him.

Holy shit, he's an a bit. So it's like, that was kind of cloud nine, you know what I mean? And for me, it's fun to like look back and it's like chronological that way. But yeah, it's kind of I just write. I live, I write. And then I'm like, okay, collection of songs, how do I make this make sense? And then when you sing those songs in here tonight and all these people sing every last word back to you, that's a feeling that most of us will never have,

that you take something so personal that you might have written in a room somewhere by yourself and to hear that back to you, how do you describe that feeling? That's like the biggest dream come true. I remember when I first started writing songs and sharing them online, I just wanted it to help like one person

or one person to be like, how did she describe exactly how I'm feeling? And so, like, rather than having goals that are like numerical or whatever it is, it's like my, the root, of course I have those, but like, the reason why I do this has always been to connect with people and give people songs that they need during every season of their life. And the great part is, is that I write them to help myself too. Like, I write them for me, but then they become my fans. And so that's just like the biggest dream come true. remember the first time I heard people sing back songs like Hair Salon and Tennessee Orange. It was probably like I was opening for Chase Matthew at little clubs. And I remember thinking

like I was on top of the world just hearing somebody know the words to Hair Salon or Tennessee Orange, you know. And now the deepest cuts, they're like far for bar. Yeah. Isn't that amazing? Yeah. It feels special. And the fan base just feels really special. And so when you put all that work into album like Cloud 9 and it debuts at number one of all music. That's got to just blow your mind because you're not that far from opening in those clubs and those bars and those restaurants in Athens. Yeah, having it go number one was amazing and I obviously was hoping for that. Anyone would hope for it. But I always try not to like that whole first week. I was like, I just want to get this album out to as many people.

that I think would like it. And I'm only ever competing with myself. So am I okay, debuted at number nine? So I was like, anything above number nine is going to be great because it's been a year and a half since I released that album. I've toured more.

I've made new fans. So the expectation should be anything above number nine. I'm like, let's go. Like, it's just like chipping away. I feel like the music industry is like that. If you only, if you set numerical goals, like that can disappoint you pretty quickly if it doesn't happen.

And I'm kind of one of those people that's like, just keep your head down and great things will happen, keep chipping away. And so when it did go number one, it was just like one of those things where I couldn't believe it and was just grateful that my fans, like, cared enough to buy the music. I know that they bought a lot of vinyl. And I went around and did the nine cities and nine days thing where I charged $9 a ticket. And I was promoting the album where I would do like two or three. three songs I can't remember, and then I would meet every single person that came to the venue and sign something for them. So that was a crazy week. Like I remember, yeah, it went number one at the end of that week, and I felt like I could just like exhale. I was like, wow. After, I think

I met like at least over 15,000 people that week or the nine days. And yeah, it was, I didn't have a voice really at the end of it. I'm sure. It was fun. And yeah, it's, it's great when you, you don't make music that like you expect to be number one and then it does go number one. I'm like, wow, you can't be that feeling. Yeah. And as you were saying before, Tennessee Orange is three and a half, less than four years ago that it blows up. Starts as a song on social media, gets a life of its own, becomes this thing. Who is she?

Oh, that's a great song. And to be already in three and a half years selling out arenas across America and now you're going to the UK and Ireland and everything else. Are you able to stop and process how far you've come in such a short of time, or is it just too much that's all going on at once? I have, yeah. And every single night when I'm up in that window about to play Tennessee Orange, I tell my fans, like, I'm about to play this song that y'all change my life with.

And I want everyone to just, like, realize this wasn't even released four years ago. And so, like, look what you guys have done. Like, without their support, I would. wouldn't be playing these venues, and their passion and loyalty is why I get to do stuff like this. So I always encourage my fans to, like, go after their dreams. And, like, if something feels like, oh, no way that could happen for me to go after it anyways, because you don't know unless you try. Like, I grew up coming to New York City. If you would have told a, what, six-year-old Megan, oh, see that big arena there? You're going to have a sold-out show there in

however many years. Like, I don't even, like, I probably would have laughed at you. Like, I'd be like, are you okay? So, I think it's just, like, really special. And I have, it is crazy that it's been less than four years and I already get to play venues like this. And I'm glad that it was a song like Tennessee Orange that kind of put me on the map like that because I think the root of that song is like the storytelling and country music that I've always loved. And I love getting to talk about the University of Georgia anytime I can. So I'm like, I like that it, yeah, I'm like really, I really solidified myself as a University of Georgia graduate with that one.

They need to give you an honorary doctorate if they haven't yet. I know, no, they have a degree, but you need a couple more. I think you've earned them. So true. So true. Yeah. Get you some extra credentials there. When did you know, Megan, that Tennessee Orange was something more than you could have

imagined. Was there a moment? Was there something that happened along the way where we said, oh, wow, this is really exploding? I think, so I had teased that song March of 2022, just like I did with any of the songs that I was writing at the time. Like, I would post them on social media because I wanted to see if my fans, like, what they thought of it. Like, are they just like, oh, this is a good song? Are they like, I will hunt you down if you don't release it? You know what I mean? And I was always looking for the latter. And I... Remember, they really liked it, but I wasn't sure that they would because it's like very, um, it's almost like a niche thing. Like, are people going to understand like the Georgia and Tennessee

rivalry thing? And when they really started making videos and stuff before the song was even out, that's when I like sort of knew. And then the first day it was released, it had like over a million streams. And I was like, that had never happened for me before. So I was like, okay, we might have like done something here. And then I released it around football. So, And so it just continued on. How do you explain it? I mean, it's a great song. You start there, but there's something else.

There's something really special about it. I think it's like, it's a love song. And if you zoom out and take away the football aspect, I think people relate to it so much because like when you really love someone, you're willing to do things that you wouldn't do for anyone else or under any other circumstance. So I think people really resonated with that idea.

Because even when I go overseas and play the song, I think, you know, they're not focused on Georgia and Tennessee Jersey. They actually have to get Georgia jersey shipped over there. Oh, do they? Like I see them at the shows over there. But they're like, we got this all the way for us. Oh, that's amazing. But I think what people focus on, too, is like, I met somebody, like, he's got blue eyes. The part where it's like, he ain't from where from, but he feels like home.

He's got me doing things I've never done. Like, that part, I think people really, really. to. And yeah, I don't, I think that's what it is about it, but I guess you never really know. There's a line, though. You can't sing Rocky Top if you're a dog. I know, yeah. We can't do that. Unfortunately, I'm a simp. And, like, I'm not afraid to admit it. You know what? Yeah. For the right guy, you'll sing Rocky Top, right?

Stick around for more of my conversation with Megan Maroney right after a quick break. Welcome back now to the rest of my conversation with Megan Maroney. Going back, speaking of Georgia, to your childhood in Douglasville, which is just West out I-20 from Atlanta, when does music come into your life? I know your dad's musician and your brother plays, but when did you start to feel like this could be something that's a part of my life in the long term? So when I was like 16, I injured my knee in cheerleading. That's why I have this like gnarly scar right here. And I had nothing else to do but sit down and learn how to play guitar. So I picked up my dad's guitar and I start like he had been trying to teach me over the years,

but I would start. I would know like G, D, and C and then my fingers would hurt. And I'd be like, no, I can't do it. But then when I had nothing else to do, I was like, okay, I'm going to learn strawberry wine. So I... Great song. When I realized and I got it down where I could play and sing at the same time, I just kind of became addicted to it.

And it was like what I did when I had any time to do any free time, basically. And from then, like I always sang three-part harmonies with my dad and my brother. But when it was like, okay, now we all three have a guitar and we're like all singing together, that was really special. I got my first guitar shortly after that when I got my heartburned. for the first time. I wouldn't stop crying. So my dad took me to guitar center. Oh. Yeah. It was a really nice tailor, and I only knew GC&D and E minor, because that's what strawberry wine has, too.

So I learned an E minor, and was like, no, I deserve a new guitar. And did you learn a new song over the heartbreak? Oh, I learned, like, anything I could. Yeah. Yeah. Like, wide open spaces, like, you name it. Any of my favorite, like, classic country songs I was learning. And I heard. I remember. I remember it was like on sale or there was a memorial day sale but when i took the tailor down they wiped it off put it in the case my dad goes to pay for it and they're like oh this one's not on sale and i remember looking at my dad and i was like i've had my heartbroken 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 tailor so yeah smart

smart yeah i'm i'm the only girl in the family so my dad you can manipulate dad a little bit yeah my dad has trouble saying no i get that i have a daughter so you've got the guitar You learn how to play. Then you go to the University of Georgia, but not, I mean, with music in mind, right? You were going to. Right. I thought I was going to be an accountant. And then, like, figure out my life later on.

And I was posting videos, like when my brother and my dad and I would do three-part harmonies, I would post the videos. And so I was halfway doing, like, an influencer thing in college. And then I would, like, throw in a couple, like, covers. And so in my sorority, I was known as the country singer, just because, like, sometimes I would post videos with my dad and my brother and I singing country songs. And we had this event called Miss Sorority Row, where they needed someone.

But the problem was no one in my sorority wanted to do it because there was a talent portion. So they were like, well, Megan can sing, and they bribed me with, like, some gift card chick-flai, I think it was. And so I agreed to do it. I ended up winning it. So then I, like, really became, like, oh, she's the country singer. So then when the philanthropy event rolled around a couple months later, they were like, we're hiring John Langston for our event, and we've actually used our entire budget on him. So we don't have an opener, but Megan can do it. And she actually pays to be here. So she has to. But from there, I met John Langston. I then met Chase Rice because Chase was there. Him and John were buddies. After the show, we like went to dinner, and he was like, hey, I'm playing the

Georgia Theater in like a month, if you want to open like first of three, like before the opener, and you bring all these girls, like, you should just come do it. And I was like, yeah, of course. And I was like, absolutely. And so I played my first show, like my first real ticketed show at the Georgia Theater opening for Chase Rice. And I was a freshman. And the night after I played that show, I was like, I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'm going to make it happen. And, you know, I asked my parents if I could drop out and just, like, move to Nashville right away because Chase was like, oh, you don't need your degree. It's fine. But my parents were like, hell no, you're going to school and finishing. So I graduated. And then as soon as I graduated in 2020, I moved to Nashville, middle of COVID, but I didn't care. Because I was like, I don't know if I can do anything right now because everything's closed, but I definitely can't do anything, like, living at home. So I had money saved up from doing the influencer stuff, and I just moved. And, And just wrote songs and played where you could. It was nice because there wasn't really any distractions.

Like, there wasn't anything to do. And all I could do was sit around and write songs. And so I feel like I actually learned how I liked to write songs during that time. And then by 2021, I think it is, I released Wonder, my debut single. Yeah. I remember when Lucky came out, obviously, Tennessee Orange opened everybody's eyes to you. I remember listening to that album thing, this is really good. And then I don't know if this was significant to you, but it struck me at the end of that year, 23, Rolling Stone, called it the album of the year.

Yeah. Like, of all music. And I was like, that's right. Okay, so I'm right about that. You know what I mean? Is that kind of stuff important and validating and just to get people's attention and say, if you're not yet, you need a listener. Yeah, I remember that being a really cool moment. Because, like, at that point, if it's 2023, I'm on the lucky tour playing like a thousand cap venues and stuff.

So to have that kind of recognition was special. And I was glad that people received it the way I wanted them to. And like, I feel like with the Lucky album, that was my introduction to, of this is Megan Moroni and country music. You know, I love Lucky because there's humor on the album, but there's honesty and heartbreak and like everything in between. There's like party songs, like Lucky. And it was kind of like, this is the scale of what I love about country music. So to have it be received so well and, you know, like it be named to the best of 2020. It was awesome.

And yeah, my fans still love that album a lot too. Yes. I'm playing some of it tonight. Yeah, that was going to say they'll be singing it back to you here tonight. The other side of that rapid ascent is that people get super interested in you and your life. And also your songs are so personal. They want to know who it's about. And why are you wearing this shirt and this video and all that kind of stuff?

How have you dealt with the celebrity side of it, for lack of a better term? I think I'm getting better at it. At that point, there were definitely, like, nights where I would cry myself to sleep because I felt so misunderstood. And I wanted to tell people everything. But then I was like, no, that's, like, not the best route. Misunderstood about what? Just who you are, really? Just like who I am.

And, like, what I meant by saying this and, like, you know, trying to find the balance of not telling everyone my entire personal life, like keeping it private a little bit, but also letting people know, like, this is how I feel. You know, like, it was a hard balance to be like, what do I share with my fans? But now I feel like with growth and me getting older and more confident

and just, I guess, being more confident in my artistry, it's like, if I have something to say, I'm going to just, like, point blank say it. And, like, for example, there's a song on my new album, Who Hurt You? I purposely wrote it so that people wouldn't ask me questions about it. Like, if you listen to the song, you still have questions. Like, I got no answers for you.

Right. You know what I mean? And so, and I think that even if I do see something where I'm misunderstood about that song or something, I'm like, that's not my job to help people understand. Like, I did, I told you how I felt, and I gave you as much as I can give, and hopefully they receive it the way I wanted them to. But if not, life will go on. Yeah.

So I think I've definitely gotten more comfortable with people having opinions of me. Because I know at the beginning it was like, whoa. Like I am such a normal person, like, stop being mean to me. But now it's kind of like, well, people are always going to be mean. No matter if you have a thousand eyes on you or a million or 10, you know. And you learn to block that out better over time. Yeah. And I think just, you know, prioritizing what's real and prioritizing the people that do love me.

Exactly. Like, yeah, I never want to let one person ruin how I feel about something. Like when my fans love it. So it's like, that's what I need to focus on is the positive. I've learned that too. It's like, why would you give that person a piece of yourself for your time or your energy? And nobody is liked by everybody. Of course.

Nobody is. So it's like, and every single artist I've talked to deals with. this. Like, it's a balance of, like, not caring, but then some days it, like, really hurts, and then you just have to pick yourself back up and be like, I'm doing me. And if you don't like it, see ya. You are unique under yourself, but is there anybody in this business that you look at and go, boy, that'd be a nice career path, or I'd like to do some of the things that that person does? I guess I'm just asking role models in the industry. Taylor Swift is definitely one. Yeah. I've loved how she's always handled herself business-wise,

and she's obviously iconic, like the biggest artist in the world. So one day I want to play stadiums and get to that kind of level and be able to go anywhere in the world, basically, and play a show. I think that'd be awesome. So, yeah, I think she's one of them. I love Casey Musgraves, too. Who's on the album? Yeah.

I love that Casey, like, I don't know how many albums she has at this point. but she's like always stayed true to herself. And I love how she carries herself in the public too. Like she makes it known like I'm doing me and I do not care what you think. So hop on or hop off. That's none of my business. And it works for it, right? And I love that.

So, yeah. Well, I believe you'll do all those things. Truly. I mean, you're still so young and look what you're doing already. So you'll be playing those stadiums before we know. We'll chat again when you do that. Yeah. That would be fun.

So nice to talk to you, Megan. Thank you. Have fun tonight. Thanks. I wish you were coming, but you'll have to come to a different one. I will. I will. My big thanks to Megan for a great conversation, you can stream Cloud 9 wherever you get your music.

And the Cloud 9 tour now takes Megan to Europe, ending in Belfast on October 1st. My thanks to all of you for listening again this week. If you want to hear these conversations with our guests every week, be sure to click follow so you never miss an episode. And don't forget to tune in to Sunday today every weekend on NBC. See these interviews with your own two eyes. I'm Willie Geist. We'll see you right back here next week on the Sunday Sitdown podcast.