Carson McHone’s Playlist Is Full of Tracks By the World’s Best Songwriters [LISTEN]

In her own songwriting, Carson McHone takes a modern approach to a classic country style. The Texas native established herself as one of that scene's brightest rising stars with the release of her 2018 sophomore album, Carousel. 

Although she holds a deep love for traditional country, McHone has always been interested in pushing the genre's boundaries, incorporating elements of blues and folk into her own musical output. Most essentially, she is a songwriter, whose craft is driven by an essential theme of good storytelling.

Unsurprisingly, that's what McHone seeks out in the music she listens to, too. Her playlist reflects a wide range of artists, spanning all eras and residing in different genre homes of folk, Americana and traditional country music. However, the one thing all these songs have in common are that they were written by world-class songwriters who are known for their ability to tell stories.

Additionally, McHone has specific memories of the first time she heard several of these songs, or a memory she associates with each track. "I love this song so very, very much, and I feel like it literally plays every time I get off stage at the White Water Tavern in Little Rock, Ark., which is one of my favorite places," the singer says of Bob Dylan's "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You."

Another of her playlist's songs, Loudon Wainwright III's "The Swimming Song," brings back a happy memory for the artist: "[I] listened to this song on repeat while driving across the UK on tour with my manager for two weeks -- on the wrong side of the road!" she recalls. "It felt like our anthem."

Press play below to get a glimpse of the music that holds a special place in McHone's memory.

Hear Carson McHone's Playlist

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