Meghan Linsey, best-known as half of the popular country duo Steel Magnolia, has garnered the attention of the country music world with her release of her debut solo single “Try Harder Than That” features Bubba Sparxxx and which was co-written by Linsey, James Otto and Corey Crowder. It is Linsey’s first single from her debut EP as a solo artist, due out later this year.
“Try Harder Than That” is an anthem for strong women in response to the current trend of songs by men on country radio about the guy getting the girl in the cut-off shorts by luring her into his truck with the promise of a drive down a dirt road to find a little spot in the moonlight for a kiss. To those guys she says: “To get a girl like me you’re gonna have to try harder than that!” Linsey wanted this song to be a song of empowerment for women. “We’re basically telling the guys they need to step it up,” she said.
Traditional country music fans will recognize the concept of an “answer song” when answer song to Hank Thompson’s hit “The Wild Side of Life”. Linsey’s “Try Harder Than That” is they remember “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” recorded by Kitty Wells as an a modern version of an answer song.
And Linsey is no stranger to traditional country music.
“For me, me it has never been about the genre, although I have always been drawn to country because I love songs that tell a story."
While growing up in and around New Orleans, Lousiana, Linsey was exposed to the music of Etta James, Aretha Franklin and a personal favorite of hers, Whitney Houston. Her mother, introduced her to the music of Tanya Tucker and Dolly Parton and some of the classic female country singers. Linsey credits the variety of musical exposure and influences in her life for the soulfulness and grit in her own voice.
“I grew up around a lot of soul and blues music, which (elements of) happen in all genres. But I love country music, I love songs that tell a story—a beginning, middle and an end,” Linsey explained.
Somewhere very early along the way, Linsey fell in love with storytelling, and using songwriting to tell her stories. “I love the storytelling I country music and the songs of Dolly (Parton), Tanya (Tucker) and Patty Griffin. For me it is always much more about the song.”
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