VOA常速英语:Kacey Musgraves Debuts with 'Same Trailer, Different Park'

Country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves, 24, got her first break in 2007 as a contestant on the USA Network’s “Nashville
Star” TV talent show. But until last year, she still didn’t have a major-label recording contract. That changed when she signed with Mercury Records. “Same Trailer, Different Park” is her debut album.

Last year, Kacey Musgraves earned a Top 10 Country hit with her debut single, “Merry Go ‘Round.” The track sold more than half a million digital downloads over the past seven months, and brought Musgraves three Academy of Country Music Award nominations. She is drawing comparisons to fellow Texan Miranda Lambert. In fact, they have a connection: Musgraves co-wrote Lambert’s current Top 10 Country single, “Mama’s Broken Heart.” Kacey Musgraves co-wrote all 12 songs on her new album and explains what inspires her musically.

“I love observing things, whether it’s myself or other people," she said. "It’s kind of my favorite to just like find inspiration and zone in on that and figure out the little facets in that idea. I mean, I’m just inspired by emotions of every kind. I want the record to reflect just well-rounded emotions. I didn’t want the overall tone to be angry or sad. I think there are elements of everything on there.”

“Same Trailer Different Park” entered the Country Albums chart at Number One, making Musgraves the first solo female artist in five years to accomplish that feat with a debut release. The album combines a variety of musical styles, including Country, pop, blues-rock and rockabilly. Critics have praised Musgraves’ songwriting, including the Washington Post, which said the album “Contains some of the most straightforward storytelling you could ever ask of a dozen country tunes.”

Musgraves says she hopes listeners relate to her lyrics.

“Hopefully, when people hear ‘Same Trailer,’ they will…obviously love it, but also I hope they walk away with just knowing that I’m influenced by so many different kinds of things, and I hope they just connect in some way," she said. "I mean, if I can make somebody feel something then I feel like I’ve done my job as a songwriter. So, that’s my favorite part - just being inspired by something I went through and seeing other people say, ‘I get it, like I went through that, too.’”

During the past year, Musgraves has opened concerts for Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town. Beginning April 25, she’ll be a special guest on Country superstar Kenny Chesney’s upcoming “No Shoes Nation” stadium tour.