Hannah McFarland on Kip Moore, Southern Roots, and the Songwriting Magic Fueling Country’s New Female Era
- All Country News
- May 1
- 4 min read
Updated: May 2
In an era where authenticity and lyrical depth are increasingly celebrated in country music, rising artist Hannah McFarland is carving out a space that's undeniably her own. All Country News sat down with the Alabama-born songstress fresh off a run of shows with Kip Moore, and what followed was a warm, funny, and powerful conversation about songwriting, southern food, and the growing confidence among women in country.
On the Road with Kip Moore: A Musical Mentor and Party Crew in One
Touring with Kip Moore isn’t just a dream gig—it’s a full-circle moment for McFarland. “He was one of the first artists in town that really believed in me,” she says with heartfelt sincerity. The journey began with a simple Instagram message from Moore after seeing a video of her performing her song “The Bed I Made.” That message? “This is what songwriting’s about.”
From that point on, a creative kinship formed. Over coffee nearly two years ago, Moore made a promise: when the time is right, he’d bring her out on the road. That moment finally arrived, and it became a tour McFarland says will “forever probably be one of [her] favorite tours.”
“He’s one of the most genuine artists and songwriters I know. He doesn’t do it for the look—he believes in the song,” she explains. “And his live shows feel so intimate, even in the biggest rooms.” Of course, the tour wasn’t all songwriting talk and stage lights—there was a fair share of backstage bonding too. “His whole crew? Their little party crew. I had to tap out most nights because I was driving my SUV to the next stop while they had the tour bus,” she laughs. “But those last few nights, we went out and partied—and it was a blast.”
Southern Roots and Fried Chicken: An Alabama Revival in Music City
McFarland is part of a wave of Alabama-born talent making major waves in Nashville. “We’ve got Riley Green, Ella Langley, Red Clay Strays, Muscadine Bloodline, Walker Hayes—we’re all from the same town,” she says, amazed at the collective momentum. “It’s
crazy.”
And like any true Southerner, she knows the value of a hometown eatery. Her must-hit stop when visiting home? Callahan’s Pub—“they usually have live music, which I love.” But the fast food spot that truly owns her heart? A place called Foosackly's. “It’s this chicken place,” she says, eyes lighting up. “I make a point to go there at least twice every time I’m home.” When McFarland starts playing stadiums (and let’s be clear—she will), don’t be surprised if Foosackly's chicken fingers and honey mustard end up on her tour rider.
From Merle to Magic: A Songwriting Obsession
Though McFarland’s performances are electrifying, it’s her songwriting that forms the beating heart of her artistry. “I wrote my first song at 15—maybe younger—and I’ve always just loved lyrics. The storytelling behind it.”
Raised on Merle Haggard, Alison Krauss, and Keith Whitley, McFarland was drawn to the kind of clever lyricism that flips a line and stuns you with its simplicity. “Even my first song had that kind of twist,” she says proudly. “It was called ‘Broken in Love.’ I took it down—it’s in the vault now—but it had that hook I loved. I’ve tried to keep that clever thread in everything I write.”
Her approach to writing is a mix of structure and spontaneity. “A lot of times I go into a session with a title or an idea,” she says. “But it’s really all about the emotion—what I’m going through, what I want to get across.”
Confidence, TikTok, and the Year of the Woman
Call it a movement, a wave, or simply overdue recognition—2025 is, in McFarland’s words, “the year of the woman in Music City.” But for her, it’s not about displacing anyone. “I love what the guys are doing—so many are friends and amazing artists—but I think people started asking, ‘Where’s the female voice in all this?’ And it was just time.”
The surge in women’s voices isn’t about novelty—it’s about vulnerability, relatability, and confidence. For McFarland, that confidence came, unexpectedly, through TikTok. “I fought it for a long time,” she admits. “But once I started sharing my songs and people related to them, I felt seen. I realized other people were going through the same things. That helped me feel more confident putting myself out there.”
The Future Looks Bright—and Real
Whether she’s penning clever lyrics that make listeners pause or performing songs that connect deeply with crowds, Hannah McFarland is proof that sincerity and craft still matter. She isn’t chasing trends—she’s chasing truth.
And if her songs continue to resonate the way they have, it’s only a matter of time before stadium stages, national acclaim, and, yes, green rooms stocked with Fusacles chicken, become her new normal.
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