The neon glow of Nashville’s Music Row often obscures the truly candid conversations happening in the heart of country music’s biggest week. But this year, a new sanctuary for sincerity emerged. Variety, long the vanguard of entertainment journalism, established its inaugural CMA Awards Interview Lounge, a partnership with men’s grooming brand Duke Cannon, designed to draw the industry’s brightest stars away from the flashing bulbs of the red carpet and into a space conducive to genuine dialogue. Staged in the cozy, curated environment of Anzie Blue—a locally owned, woman-run venue—the lounge hosted a rolling cast of nominees, presenters, and performers, delivering a deep dive into the narratives shaping the 59th Annual CMA Awards. From established veterans reflecting on decades of success to breakout artists navigating their first major awards week, the event became an instant staple, chronicling the pulse and ambition of a genre experiencing a seismic cultural shift.
The New Nashville Conversation: Depth Over Dazzle
The decision by a major Hollywood trade publication like Variety to dedicate a bespoke, multi-day interview lounge in Nashville marks a definitive moment for country music: it is no longer a peripheral genre, but a core pillar of the mainstream entertainment industry. The lounge, strategically positioned just off the main event’s chaotic orbit, was conceived as an antidote to the fleeting, soundbite-driven interviews typical of pre-show pageantry. Here, the focus was on process, ambition, and the personal stories behind the music, providing a vital platform for artists to articulate their vision for an industry that is rapidly evolving in terms of both sound and demographics. This shift in journalistic focus reflects the genre’s expanding influence, attracting a global audience eager to connect with authentic, narrative-driven content.
The choice of Duke Cannon as the presenting partner offered an intriguing counterpoint, blending a brand known for its bold, traditionally masculine identity with a publication celebrated for its sophisticated, wide-ranging industry analysis. This alignment underscored the complex identity of modern country music—a genre that respects its traditional roots while relentlessly pushing the boundaries of contemporary style and sound. As one representative noted, the collaboration was a natural fit, marrying the “trusted voice in entertainment news” with a brand that champions confidence and authenticity. For the artists, the lounge represented a rare opportunity to settle in, shed the high-pressure energy of the awards night, and engage in meaningful discussion about everything from their songwriting processes to the challenges of maintaining creative control in a major-label environment. The interviews recorded in this space are set to become a rich archive of the current state of country music, moving beyond the simple tally of awards and sales figures.
Voices of the Vanguard: The New Nominees
The strength of any awards show lies in the vitality of its emerging talent, and Variety’s lounge provided a critical stage for the genre’s newest stars. Leading the charge were artists like Shaboozey, Tucker Wetmore, and The Red Clay Strays, each representing a distinct facet of country’s widening sonic landscape. Shaboozey, whose viral breakout had already redefined expectations, sat down to discuss the integration of hip-hop and Southern rock influences into the country framework, challenging established norms and drawing a younger, more diverse audience. His presence alone signaled a future where genre lines are increasingly fluid, embracing a universal appeal rooted in compelling storytelling and raw production. The depth of conversation moved past simple chart success and into the cultural significance of his genre-blending artistry.
Similarly, The Red Clay Strays—who were honored with a major group win at the ceremony—shared their experience as a band whose sound is rooted in classic rock and Southern grit, speaking about the journey from regional buzz to national recognition. Their success at the awards show was foreshadowed by the buzz surrounding their lounge appearance, where they articulated a commitment to a timeless, organic sound that eschews modern gloss. Tucker Wetmore rounded out this cohort of fresh faces, engaging in an earnest dialogue about the transition from grassroots streaming success to the bright lights of Nashville. His conversation focused on maintaining the integrity of his voice while scaling up his operation—a constant struggle for any artist experiencing rapid growth. The intimate setting allowed these artists to offer a level of introspection rarely seen on camera, establishing their personalities and creative philosophies for a national audience.
Megan Moroney’s Moment: Pink, Punchy, and Poised
One of the most anticipated appearances belonged to Megan Moroney, who entered the awards week tied with a leading number of nominations. Her visit to the lounge was a centerpiece of the event, offering a glimpse into the strategic thinking behind a rapidly ascending star. Moroney, known for her sharp songwriting and relatable narratives, discussed the significance of her nominations, not merely as accolades but as validation for her distinctive lyrical approach. She spoke openly about her single “6 Months Later,” which she was slated to perform during the telecast, detailing how the song serves as a perfect bridge between her previous work and her forthcoming album, which is already generating intense industry speculation.
A major topic of conversation centered on her aesthetic choices, particularly her widely noted decision to embrace a vibrant pink palette—a deliberate, punchy statement that stands out in a genre often defined by earth tones. Moroney explained how the pink visual identity for her third album was a conscious effort to match the project’s sonic and thematic boldness, serving as a powerful visual metaphor for her evolution as an artist. Her discussion highlighted the increasing importance of visual branding in the digital age, where every choice, from stage outfits to album covers, is integral to the overall creative package. Her ability to articulate the connective tissue between her emotional songwriting, her forthcoming music, and her public image cemented her status as one of country’s most thoughtful and marketable stars, demonstrating an acute understanding of her audience and the industry machine.
Duo Dynamics and The Veterans’ Perspective
Beyond the fresh faces, the lounge provided crucial time with established acts who bring gravitas and context to the country landscape. The duo Dan + Shay, known for their polished pop-country fusion, offered insights into the complexities of maintaining a long-term partnership and evolving their sound without alienating their massive fanbase. Their conversation centered on the challenges of constantly reinventing themselves while staying true to the core emotional honesty that defines their biggest hits. They emphasized the necessity of collaboration and the unique creative push-and-pull that only years of working together can forge. The intimacy of the lounge setting allowed them to delve into the subtle, shared language of a duo, a dynamic that differs greatly from that of a solo artist.
The legendary vocal group Old Dominion and the dynamic duo The War & Treaty provided equally compelling perspectives on veteran presence and creative longevity. Old Dominion, frequent nominees and winners, discussed their enduring success in the Vocal Group category, attributing their consistency to a commitment to genuine, relatable songwriting that captures the feeling of a collective experience. The War & Treaty, whose sound bridges country, soul, and gospel, used their time to discuss the power of their music to transcend genre and demographic boundaries, focusing on themes of unity and love. Their appearance underscored the lounge’s commitment to capturing the full spectrum of country music, from stadium-filling hitmakers to critically adored artists who prioritize musical depth and spiritual resonance.
The Architecture of Influence: Nashville’s Shifting Center
Variety’s choice to launch its first-ever CMA Awards Interview Lounge was more than a logistical decision; it was a statement about cultural significance. The location itself, Anzie Blue, a celebrated woman-owned Nashville venue, subtly reinforced the themes of empowerment and local authenticity that are increasingly central to the genre. By setting up shop away from the official CMA venue—a move “just off Nashville’s Music Row”—the lounge cultivated an atmosphere of relaxed exclusivity, prioritizing thoughtful engagement over spectacle. This intentional separation allowed the participating artists to speak with an openness that the typical pre-show frenzy rarely permits.
Ultimately, the lounge represented a deliberate effort to shift the center of gravity for country music coverage. It signaled that the stories, aspirations, and creative details of the artists are as valuable as the performance or the acceptance speech. By creating a dedicated, high-profile media zone focused on depth, Variety not only served its readers with rich content but also validated Nashville’s position as a global center of entertainment. The success of the inaugural lounge guarantees its place as a new fixture of CMA Awards week, providing a necessary platform for the country music community to look beyond the immediate glory of the awards and engage in a deeper, more meaningful dialogue about the art, the business, and the vibrant future of the genre.
