Bri Bagwell chatted about her new country single “Hit the Highway” and her podcast. She is a Texas Female Vocalist of the Year winner.
How did the new single “Hit the Highway” come about?
I joke about it, but it did actually happen… I was on a really long run through the Midwest. I hadn’t been home in so long and I was hitting the road really hard.
I looked in the mirror and thought, “Man, I look 107 years old!” I was just tired, dehydrated, and beat down by the strain of road life.
I don’t know when the light bulb hit that “if you’re gonna hit the highway, it’s gonna hit you back,” but the song just kind of fell out, and in a hurry!
They say to write what you know, and being on the road for the last 15 years has taught me a lot! Why not squeeze it all into a song?
What inspires your music and songwriting?
Whenever I write about my life and be as authentic as possible, that’s when my music connects to fans the most.
Even with the current new single – it’s about MY life – but the larger message is about chasing your dreams even when it’s hard, and trying to leave behind something more than just a little dust.
I get so inspired by how my life, my lessons, my hardships, my “aha!” moments…they all translate to society as a bigger picture somehow. That is so inspiring and beautiful.
Art can be about one person and also be about everybody at the same time! I also play live a LOT, so I really try to make sure I’m writing songs that I want to play every weekend.
What do your plans for the future include?
There is no stopping this train right now! I’ve got more music in the pipeline that I recorded with Rachel Loy that is some of my best work yet that I’ll continue releasing as singles.
My podcast “Only Vans” is distributed by The Bluegrass Situation’s Good Country Network and has been in the Top 10 percent of podcasts globally, I’d love to get to Top 5!
I’m also working on a really special project for 2026 that’s a culmination of my journey all the way from New Mexico to Texas that I can’t wait to share more details on.
Oh, and I have shows scheduled in about 10 different states this fall and winter, so I’ll be continuing to hit the highway pretty hard for sure.
How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age? (now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
I have so many mixed emotions about the digital age, as most artists do. Social media is an incredible platform to get our music out there in many different ways.
I initially thought that the new streaming and social platforms were doing more to level the playing field for music and give us independent artists more of a chance.
I think it does that somewhat, but it’s increasingly becoming pay to play and incredibly concentrated within management and record label structures more than the average person understands.
It’s still so difficult for an indie artist, and although it can feel like a to-do list that never ends, I’m trying to view social media as a way to connect with fans in different ways that will eventually point them to my music and to a live show!
People have LOVED seeing my boyfriend and I build our house together DIY-style on my stories…it’s wild to see people so invested in our home building project! That’s pretty fun.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success is relative (I repeat this to others and myself 800 times a day). I often say that if you’re not Lainey Wilson, some people don’t think you’re successful.
I had a soldout show at Gruene Hall, and someone waited in the merch line to tell me to “hang in there” even though I’d had one of the best nights emotionally and financially of my career!
I have been trying to incorporate a mini speech during my show about “success;” if you’re paying your bills as a full-time artist, employing a band and crew, growing, evolving, and making it work for over a decade (like I have), I do consider that wildly successful!
Each artist has their dreams and goals (mine right now is to play the Opry), and it’s more important than ever in our comparison society to take a birds eye view of our careers every now and then and say – I’m doing great!
When it comes to one of the hardest businesses in the world, just existing here is successful, as hard as that is to remember sometimes.
What would you like to tell our readers about “Hit the Highway”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Chasing a dream is about the bigger picture of leaving behind some sort of legacy or positive imprint that will last long after we are gone.
I feel the burden of a female independent artist in Texas that is doing things that few like me have ever done.
It’s a beautiful weight that I carry, and no matter how hard it is packing suitcases, dealing with drunk people, or hitting all sorts of literal roadblocks, it’s important to keep going because all of this is bigger than the speed bumps in the road.
Maybe my entire purpose is to be an inspiration to little girls that want to write songs.
My albums will be around when the zombies come, and whatever calls to you, I hope you also chase it with everything you have. And when you’re tired and it’s hard, just wash your face.
“Hit the Highway” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
To learn more about country artist Bri Bagwell, follow her on Instagram, and check out her Linktree page.
