Photo: Getty Images
Kacey Musgraves reflected on the story behind an old photo as she marked a milestone for her beloved debut single. The photo that became the song’s artwork was one that Musgraves’ sister, Kelly, shot after the pair borrowed their grandpa’s car and it broke down along the side of the highway. While waiting for help, the sisters grabbed the camera and wandered off to a nearby field for a photoshoot, Musgraves recalled.
“I remember this moment so well.. I believe it was 2011,” Musgraves wrote in her reflective caption. “My sister [Kelly] and I had borrowed my grandpa’s car and were somewhere between Dallas and Ft. Worth when it broke down. In the heat, stranded along the side of the highway, we were delighted to remember that Kelly randomly had her camera with her. So naturally, we ventured out into the nearby field and did an impromptu photo shoot laughing and waiting for help to arrive. It ended up being the perfect photo for my first single and the song that started it all.”
Musgraves released “Merry Go ‘Round” on her debut album, Same Trailer Different Park, in 2012. The 12-track collection kickstarted an award-winning career for the Texas-born artist, who followed it up with Pageant Material, Golden Hour, star-crossed and other projects.
“It’s nice to know it wasn’t ‘too depressing’ and ‘too slow’ to jumpstart a ‘female country career’, after all,” Musgraves continued. “But, it was a chance I was willing to take and I’m so glad I didn’t believe ‘em. 2x 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐦 this week. (So were those bangs. woof.)
“My gratitude could consume the Texas sky - and then some. Thanks for riding with me.”
See Musgraves’ post here. Listen to “Merry Go ‘Round” again below.