It wasn’t long ago that we declared Crowley soul singer-turned-international-sensation Leon Bridges “the next Norah Jones,” the local musician-turned-national sensation, with all the glory that entails: television appearances, Grammy nods, major label albums. The first wave of LeonMania has hardly subsided — Bridges was just featured in a short documentary, and he’s playing a sold-out show at the Music Hall at Fair Park in September — but, inevitably, North Texas will produce another “next big thing,” another artist we can proudly claim as they conquer the world with their music.
Maren Morris, the Arlington-raised country singer-songwriter whose major label debut Hero was released last week, is not the next Leon Bridges. Even as Bridges embarked on a successful world tour last year, he kept one foot firmly planted in his hometown. You might have run into him at Twilite Lounge a few weeks before his Saturday Night Live performance, or seen him appear onstage at Trees with local rapper Bobby Sessions, or stumbled across him busking in the streets of Deep Ellum. Bridges’ humble beginnings at Fort Worth open mic nights were a big part of the narrative surrounding the rise of the stylishly dressed retro soul singer, and North Texas remained a part of his story even after he’d “made it.” It’s almost impossible to imagine him coming from anywhere else.
Morris spent years playing in Texas, but moved to Nashville to jumpstart her career a few years ago. And, for better or worse, Hero is an album by a Nashville artist.
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Others have noted that Morris is entering the country music mainstream in a post-Kacey Musgraves, post-Chris Stapleton world. There’s an appetite for country music with a strong individual voice, thoughtful lyrics, and more traditional, authentic instrumentation. (The glossy, tailgate-parties-and-Autotune “bro country” that’s dominated the radio and inspired so much critical revulsion remains alive and well, however.) That’s evident on Hero, which shows flashes of personality, but occasionally falls prey to the kind of focus-grouped radio-friendly touches that have infected most of the Nashville hit factory.
It’s absurd to resent an artist for leaving town to find success elsewhere. (And I wouldn’t blame anybody for leaving Arlington). It’s unfair to expect a musician’s local roots to form a major part of their identity, as is the case with Bridges — and as is the case with Erykah Badu, while we’re on the subject. But a musician should have an identity that rises above the demands of their industry.
Morris is obviously a talented songwriter, and Hero is a remarkably adventurous record considering its origins. Elements of pop, soul, and blues are folded into her sound, which should win her plenty of fans outside of country music. I only find myself wanting to hear more Morris, less Nashville.
A performance on late night TV (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) and a tour opening for Keith Urban (at American Airlines Center on Oct. 14) are strong evidence that Morris is going to be a big thing. She’s just not North Texas’ big thing.
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