The Dallas native had crossed paths with Musgraves as teens performing on the local honky-tonk circuit.
The music community is small, Morris, now 26, recalls of how she came to know Musgraves.
So when her peer set off for Nashville to pursue a career, Morris soon followed.
Credit: Robby Klein
I loved writing songs and didnt know you could get paid to do it, she says.
It sounded like the coolest thing ever!
Her couch-surfing days are now quaint memories.
Tibrina Hobson/FilmMagic
1 on Billboards Top Country Albums chart and earned praise from music royalty far beyond Music City.
I got a phone call from Elton John, and he thought it rocked!
(Shes tied with Eric Church and Chris Stapleton for most nods this year.)
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Morris couldnt have predicted this for herself a few years ago.
But when she grew too attached to a song titled My Church, she hatched a new plan.
I didnt want anyone to sing it.
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I knew it was going to be my first single.
It happened pretty quickly, she recalls of her rise since then.
Now, instead of writing for the A-list, shes sharing the stage with them.
Laura E. Partain
But for Morris, nothing compares with hearing her fans scream her songs at shows.
If I do things my way, I open up a path for people who are different.
The tragedy sent her on a spiral of excessive drinking and reckless behavior, which landed her in jail.
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Shes also got crossover appeal thanks to support from Jack White and his label, Third Man Records.
Price sometimes cant believe how far shes come.
I thought for a while that success would solve a lot of problems…
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It is really beautiful, she says.
Im still processing, I think.
Since the pop star endorsed Ballerini in 2015, shes had three No.
1 country tunes from her debut album an unprecedented accomplishment for a female artist in the format.
And where Swift has decidedly left Nashville behind, Ballerini feels right at home in Music City.
But my hearts in country music, and I feel like thats just who I am.
This is what I enjoy making, Waldon says.
Country music is in my heart.
and Ada, Okla. Says Marlow, Thats how we connected with our fans: telling them our stories.
Stream This: Sierra
Mickey Guyton
Hometown: Arlington, Tex.
My goal is empowerment, Guyton says of the set, showing that women are priceless.
