Megan Moroney’s breakthrough came with the infectious hit “Tennessee Orange” back in 2022, a track that catapulted the Georgia native into country music stardom. Now, as the 2024 CMA Awards approach on November 20, Moroney is vying for multiple accolades, including the coveted New Artist of the Year. While this category allows rising stars to be nominated twice, this year marks Moroney’s second shot at the honor. Alongside this, she is also competing for Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “I’m Not Pretty,” a song she not only performed but co-directed.
Moroney’s rise to fame has been nothing short of a whirlwind. In May 2024, she took home the New Female Artist of the Year award at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, solidifying her place as a force in the industry. Since then, she’s been busy, touring with country legend Kenny Chesney, releasing her highly anticipated second album, Am I Okay?, and preparing to take the stage at the CMA Awards. With her music topping charts and a packed schedule ahead, Moroney is poised to keep breaking barriers in country music.
Megan Moroney: The Road to CMA Recognition
Megan Moroney’s musical journey began far from Nashville, in the small town of Douglasville, Georgia. Born on October 9, 1997, Moroney was surrounded by music from an early age. Her father, an avid guitarist, introduced her to the sounds of country legends and Southern rock icons like Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, and Loretta Lynn. “My whole life, as far back as I can remember, we had a music room in my house,” Moroney shared in interviews, recalling how her childhood home was steeped in the music of the South.
As a teenager, Moroney’s musical inclinations blossomed. At 16, she picked up a guitar, and by high school, she was already posting performances online, often accompanied by her father. “I got my heart broken, so my dad brought me to Guitar Center and got me the Taylor that I still play now,” she reminisced about the moment that would become a turning point in her life. Though she had other ambitions—such as cheerleading and aspiring for a college spot—an unexpected knee injury forced her to turn her attention to music full-time.
After high school, Moroney attended the University of Georgia, initially majoring in accounting, following in her mother’s footsteps. But her passion for music soon led her to change her course, opting for a digital marketing and music business degree instead. It was during this time that Moroney’s musical aspirations began to take shape, culminating in her first big break: winning the Miss Sorority Row pageant and opening for country star Jon Langston. A fateful encounter with country singer Chase Rice at the event would lead to an invitation to open for his tour. Though she had never written her own songs, Moroney quickly penned “Stay Memory” for the tour, marking the start of her professional music career.
“Tennessee Orange” and the Viral Moment
Moroney’s big break came with the release of “Tennessee Orange” in 2022. The song, an ode to love and football rivalry, quickly went viral, especially among fans of her alma mater, the University of Georgia, who saw the lyrics about wearing Tennessee orange for a boy as a quirky, yet relatable confession. The track became a fan favorite, hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart by June 2023, and soon after, Moroney was signed by Sony Nashville and Columbia Records.
The success of “Tennessee Orange” led to her debut studio album, Lucky, which dropped in May 2023. The album, which includes several hits, saw Moroney embark on her first headlining tours. And though the song’s success put her firmly on the map, it wasn’t without speculation. Rumors swirled about whether country star Morgan Wallen was the inspiration for the song, with fans connecting the dots from the lyrics about wearing Tennessee orange to Wallen’s own background as a Tennessee native. Though Moroney remained coy about the details, she finally confirmed in interviews that Wallen’s Tennessee shirt had indeed inspired the cover art for the single, though she has never confirmed whether the song was directly about him.
A Year of Wins and New Music
Following her ACM Award win in May 2024, Moroney’s summer was filled with even more highlights. She joined Kenny Chesney on his Sun Goes Down tour, bringing her unique blend of emotional, “emo cowgirl country” to the stage alongside the country icon. Meanwhile, her sophomore album, Am I Okay?, debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 in July 2024, showcasing a more introspective side of Moroney’s songwriting.
At the 2024 CMA Awards, Moroney’s nominations reflect not just the success of “Tennessee Orange,” but her growth as an artist. In addition to New Artist of the Year, she is up for Female Vocalist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for “I’m Not Pretty.” Her co-directed music video for the track has been praised for its raw, relatable portrayal of self-image struggles, and Moroney’s powerful vocals continue to draw attention as she carves her place in the country music scene.
Megan Moroney’s Personal Life and Future
While Moroney’s career is on the rise, her personal life is currently in the spotlight, too—particularly her past relationship with Morgan Wallen, which has been the subject of much speculation. In interviews, Moroney has been open about using past heartbreaks and her personal experiences to fuel her songwriting. “I’m 26, dating people, and you’re going to be wrong,” she said. “It’s like, okay, fine. That’s the point: It happened, and I’m okay.”
As for her romantic life, Moroney remains single, focusing on her music and career. “Dating right now is just not something that’s in the front of my mind,” she told People in July 2024, adding that she is “more single than ever.” With her upcoming Am I Okay? tour starting in March 2025, it looks like Moroney’s focus is firmly on her musical future, as she continues to share her journey with fans through every song and performance.
As Megan Moroney heads into the 2024 CMA Awards, the country world is watching closely—both for her nominations and the continued evolution of this rising star.
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