Miranda Lambert Reflects on Staying Power After 15 Years in the Biz: “Who I Am Hasn’t Changed”

Since dropping her debut album, Kerosene, in March 2005, Miranda Lambert has served as one of the de facto “voices” in country music. With a résumé that includes 34 ACM Awards, 13 CMA Awards and two Grammy Awards over the last 15 years, Miranda has built herself into one of the most celebrated artists—male or female—in country music history.

In a recent conversation with Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, Miranda noted that “staying true and never swaying” have been two keys to her success.

Kix: “This discussion about the lack of female artists has been ongoing for a while now. Do you feel things are getting better on that front?”

Miranda: “It’s circling back, yeah. I mean, I remember I came out with like 25 new female artists [in 2005], and the only two remaining off that list are Carrie [Underwood] and I. It’s kind of crazy, like to see how much it takes to get there, you know what I mean? And, they had the talent. It just was one of those things where it’s like, so at first you had to claw your way and now it’s the opposite. Now, we’re like lifting [each other] up.”

Kix: “Why do you think you broke through and had staying power?

Miranda: “I think it was staying true and never swaying in who I was—I mean, reinventing artistically and changing as a person, but truly at the core of what I do and who I am hasn’t changed. I think that’s the key.”

After rescheduling April and May tour dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miranda’s Wildcard Tour will recommence on Oct. 8 in Spokane, Wash., with special guests Cody Johnson and Lanco.