Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Harper Grae Tells Her Story of How She Rose from ‘Muddy Water’

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Every once in a while, one could not help but feel like being stuck in the rut, or a messed-up situation that has the potential to ruin your faith, almost thinking that you come to a point of no return in your life. But these are also the situations that make us stronger, and with those feelings riling up, no one could be prouder than yourself to say that you rose up from the ‘muddy water.’

Burning Brighter

With Harper Grae’s latest single ‘Muddy Water,’ she had to look back on her past before she went to Nashville and reinstated her image as an artist. Back then, she was Shanna Henderson, a young folk living in Reeltown, Alabama raised by her maternal grandparents. She exhausted her talents by winning competitions from Auburn University and getting a role in The Glee Project.

Now, she is an entirely different person, from her name ‘Harper’ which honors her grandparents and ‘Grae’ spelling out “God Redeems All Equally,” she’s a songwriter for Music City who also advocates loving the LGBTQ community.

With the ‘Muddy Water’ video coming out, it’s obvious that she has put her all in it. She soaked in freezing water, walked on the rockiest terrain, and had filming during twilight. Grae explained that she did it not because of pressure but that it also serves as a bridge of her past and future journeys. For her fans, she only wanted them to use her music as a catapult so they can also rise out on their pools of muddy water; to live their lives with pride and joy despite failing and failing several times.

Life Full of Stories

Harper Grae considers her life as a part of a great story. She’s a fan of good literature, and nothing is a better inspiration than using pain, sweat, and dust as kindle to the flames. As an artist, Grae greatly admires Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, and Brandi Carlile for their fair share of hardships. She wrote on her blog that if the three stars had a protege, it would probably be her.

She finished the creation of her piece with tears on her cheeks. Grae explained that she was finally able to create something she’s really proud of from top to none.

In the music video, it’s not just Harper Grae’s dreams that became reality, but it was also the dream of the awesome team that helped her succeed.

Latest Stories

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt "Always On My Mind" Cover

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt “Always On My Mind” Cover

In 2013, Lukas Nelson proved that talent truly runs in the family when he delivered a moving rendition of his father Willie Nelson’s classic hit, “Always On My Mind.” Performed ...

Alan Jackson and George Strait's "Murder on Music Row" Honors True Country

Alan Jackson and George Strait’s “Murder on Music Row” Honors True Country

When George Strait and Alan Jackson came together to perform “Murder on Music Row,” it wasn’t just another duet—it was a moment that sent ripples through country music history. These ...

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for “He Stopped Loving Her Today”

In October 2010, the Country Music Hall of Fame became the setting for a moment of country music magic. Three legendary artists—Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban—joined forces for ...

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...