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Kacey Musgraves Kisses Bucket List Goodbye

CMA Performance With Loretta Lynn, Song of the Year Win Were Glorious Moments

Bucket list be gone! Grammy and CMA-winning Kacey Musgraves is just “along for the ride,” y’all. And even when that road gets a little bit rocky, it’s still one heck of ride and reward for the critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter.

She spent much of 2014 defying the country music odds with her sound and message, and something tells me she’s just getting started.

In a recent chat with Billboard magazine, Musgraves reflected on her big year and “Follow Your Arrow,” the big song that changed her career for her. A favorite among fans, but country radio, well, that was a bit of a different story.

But you can’t keep a good girl down, and you can’t keep a good song with a good message like down either.

“It stalled at No. 43 on the chart,” Musgraves noted. “But people connected with it because of the message, which is the true measure of a great song.”

This was a song that didn’t beat around the proverbial bush with its message. Musgraves wanted (and still wants) you to know it’s all right to simply be whoever the heck you are. It’s right there in uplifting and inspiring lines like “Make lots of noise, kiss lots of boys/Or kiss lots of girls if that’s something you’re into.”

It’s that kind of candor and honesty that cements her status as a true poet, a genuine voice. These aren’t just lyrics. They’re her feelings. They’re the essence of who she is not only as an artist but as a human being, too. She truly believes it.

And even though radio may not have felt the same way for whatever reason, there were plenty of folks who did believe in Musgraves and the message. “Follow Your Arrow” took home song of the year honors at the recent CMA Awards. According to Billboard, it’s the lowest-charting single to ever win that title.

Loretta Lynn absolutely believes in Musgraves, and she’s not afraid to shout it from the rafters. The two performed Lynn’s “You’re Lookin’ at Country” on the show, and Musgraves admitted it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

“Getting to sing with (Lynn) at the CMA Awards the same night that ‘Follow Your Arrow,’ which I literally was told to my face would never be a single, got song of the year was absolutely mind-blowing,” she said. “At this point, I don't have a bucket list anymore. I'm just along for the ride.”

And you’d better fasten that seatbelt, Kacey. If 2014 is any indication as to what’s next, your future is going to be fabulous.

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