In the wake of her powerful single, “The Boy Who Cried Drunk,” Meghan Patrick, a celebrated figure in Canadian country music, opened about her creative process, the intertwining of personal tribulation with her art, and her steadfast commitment to using her platform to raise awareness about domestic violence.
The single, which was released in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, is not merely a song but a narrative spun from the very threads of Patrick’s life experiences. “It’s my own story,” Patrick stated, her voice reflecting the solemn gravity of her admission. She expressed a determined hope that her music could serve as a beacon of strength for those ensnared in the throes of abusive relationships.
Reflecting on her latest work, which delves into the complexities of navigating—and eventually leaving—a toxic relationship, Patrick shared, “It’s reached a point where I’m ready to unfold that chapter of my life.” She continued, “The aim is to transform a period of profound pain and trauma into a healing experience for others.”
Since the release of her evocative song on the subject, Patrick has witnessed a powerful ripple effect. “We’ve received an outpouring of personal stories from women,” she said. “Some have even informed me that the song was a catalyst for them to leave their abusers.”
The artist’s commitment to using her platform for advocacy reflects a broader mission within her career. “There’s a necessity for music that tackles the fun and light-hearted aspects of life, like beers and trucks. And yes, I will always bring that to the table,” Patrick asserted. But she emphasized the importance of addressing the ‘heavy stuff,’ stating, “I have been blessed with the gift of songwriting, and I feel compelled to touch upon the weightier aspects of the human experience.”
Patrick’s desire to maintain this balance comes from a place of connection and responsibility. “Music has the incredible power to impact lives,” she remarked. “If my songs can make even one person feel less isolated in their struggles, then I consider my work meaningful.”
The creative collaboration that gave life to “The Boy Who Cried Drunk” emerged somewhat serendipitously during a writing session with Billy Dawson and Jacob Hawksworth. The melody that Dawson played struck a chord with Patrick, inspiring her to delve into her repository of song ideas and pair it with a topic that demanded a particular sensitivity. She approached her co-writers with a candid proposal: “How heavy do you guys want to get today? Because I’ve got an idea.”
The process of creation became a shared journey, with Dawson and Hawksworth providing Patrick the space to guide the song’s direction. “They both just handled it so well and were just incredibly supportive,” she recounted, highlighting the healing power embedded within the collaborative process.
Reflecting on the immediate aftermath of her new song’s release, Patrick described the live performances as emotionally charged exchanges. “To stand there, performing live, has been both a weighty and empowering experience,” she said. The impact of the song on her audience has been palpable, with many approaching her after the show, often with tears, expressing gratitude for voicing a struggle they have personally endured.
This connection has not only brought her closer to her fans but has also provided a platform for individuals to confront and share their own stories. “It’s raw, real, and it feels like there’s a deeper bond forming with my fans as we navigate these experiences together,” Patrick shared.
Beyond her music, Patrick is actively supporting organizations dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence. Explaining her decision to partner with the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Patrick credited her management team’s thorough research in finding an organization with a longstanding and effective presence in the field.
“The YWCA has over a hundred years of experience in supporting those affected by domestic violence,” Patrick noted, underscoring the organization’s commitment to providing resources and support to women and children seeking to escape abusive environments and rebuild their lives. “Their enduring impact made them an obvious choice for us”. As for her current touring engagements, including the collaborative venture with LANCO on their “Run Baby Run” tour, Patrick finds herself in a position of mutual respect and opportunity. It’s a dynamic underscored by LANCO’s choice to bring her aboard, a decision that extended beyond mere label affiliations and into a shared appreciation for her talent and showmanship.
Before she graced the country music scene with her resonant voice and heartfelt lyrics, she harbored a different kind of passion: competitive snowboarding. Her pursuit of this high-adrenaline sport was not merely a hobby but a dedicated dream throughout her high school years and into college. The Canadian singer-songwriter recounts, “I was a competitive snowboarder for a long time…that was kind of the big dream for a long time.”
However, an acute turn of events during her senior year of high school dramatically altered the trajectory of her life. Patrick describes a horrific accident: “I broke my back, dislocated my shoulder, snapped my collarbone, broken ribs, severe concussion.” The severity of her injuries was life-altering, as she acknowledges, “Honestly, I was lucky to walk after that injury.” The dream of snowboarding professionally was abruptly taken off the table.
It was during this challenging period that Patrick’s creative journey took a pivotal turn towards music. Post-injury, she decided to attend McGill University, where she studied opera — an unexpected twist for those who only know her country persona. Patrick fondly remembers the period, stating, “I met a lot of great musicians there.”
She didn’t limit herself to one genre or group during her time at McGill. Patrick was part of an ensemble known as the New Groove Orchestra, a group she describes as a “tower of power funk band,” showing her versatility as an artist. But it was her engagement with another musical form that would lead her to her current genre: “I had a bluegrass band, which I loved… bluegrass was kind of like my gateway drug to country music.”
The dissolution of the bluegrass band marked a significant personal and professional milestone for Patrick. It prompted a profound introspection about her identity as an artist. “Once I kind of went separate ways from the bluegrass band, it was the first time I ever was trying to be like, Megan Patrick the artist,” she explains. The transition from being a band member to a solo artist was daunting as she navigated the complexities of establishing her own voice and message.
Her solo songwriting sessions revealed an intrinsic pull towards country music, a genre that naturally flowed from her without conscious effort. Patrick says, “When I was writing songs by myself… they were country songs just without really trying”. It was not just the act of creating music but also the community she found within the genre that solidified her path: “When I started playing some of the country festivals… I just really fell in love with the fans and felt really at home in that genre.”
Early in her career, the foundations of Patrick’s potent voice were laid on the rigorous study of opera, a genre that demands both technical precision and emotive power. Reflecting on her foray into the operatic discipline, she admits to no longer practicing the genre but credits it with instilling in her a robust technical backbone. “I learned some great technique and how to sing well and breathing techniques and stuff like that,” Patrick shared, reflecting on her classical training that included the Royal Conservatory grades. Despite her technical proficiency, it was the call of country music’s storytelling and the allure of the open road that ultimately captured her spirit, leading to her departure from college. “That wasn’t really what I wanted,” she remarked, signaling her pivot toward a career as a singer-songwriter.
Since her debut, Patrick acknowledges a significant evolution, both as an artist and a person. The mainstream music industry, with its glittering promises and prescriptive success formulas, was a labyrinth she navigated with a mix of naivety and ambition. “There’s going to be a lot of people that are going to try and tell you, you need to do this and you need to do that,” she stated, discussing the pressure to conform. Despite these external influences, Patrick asserts her commitment to authenticity, a stance that has not only shaped her music but also cemented her bond with fans. It’s this authenticity that has allowed her to evolve “into a more confident and sure version of myself,” as she puts it.
Her sophomore album, heralding her first number one single in Canada, marked a significant milestone. “It was an amazing experience,” Patrick said of the achievement, particularly because the single broke the conventional mold with its heavy subject matter. It underscored her philosophy of storytelling that mirrors life’s unvarnished truths, including the less-than-perfect familial scenarios often absent from country music’s typically idyllic narratives. “It felt like I was able to really make my mark as an artist with a song that really mattered,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of relatability in her music.
With the release of her album “Heart of Glass,” Patrick stepped onto the U.S. scene, an endeavor she had been working toward for a long time. Despite the album’s bittersweet release during the pandemic, which limited her ability to connect with fans live, Patrick remains hopeful. “My hope is as I continue to build my fan base here in the U.S. and back home in Canada, that more and more people will find that record and find something they love about it,” she conveyed optimistically.
In the pantheon of country music, there is no stage more revered than the Grand Ole Opry. Its hallowed circle has been the proving ground for the legends of the genre, a rite of passage for those who seek to etch their names in the annals of music history. For Patrick, stepping onto the Opry stage was more than a performance; it was a profound validation after a tumultuous phase in her career marked by upheaval and uncertainty.
“There’s an energy there when you walk on that stage,” Patrick remarks, hinting at the electric atmosphere that has charged the performances of countless music greats before her.
Her journey to the Opry was not without its hardships. In an industry as tumultuous as it is thrilling, the last couple of years proved to be a crucible for Patrick. “Were very challenging in my career,” she admits, noting the immense strain the Pandemic placed on artists worldwide. This period of trial saw Patrick depart from Warner Music, her first record label, signaling a significant career shift accompanied by the daunting task of navigating an uncertain future.
During this time, Patrick grappled with doubt and the voices of criticism that often plague artists. “I just felt like I was hearing a lot of ‘not good enough, not yet’ for a long time,” she shares, providing insight into the mental and emotional fortitude required to persevere in the face of industry gatekeeping.
The invitation to play at the Grand Ole Opry emerged as a beacon of hope amid these challenges. Describing the moment, Patrick conveys a sense of cathartic release: “To be invited to play the Opry was kind of like this big, ‘Yes.’” It was an affirmation, a “really incredible, monumental acknowledgment” that her artistry and efforts had not gone unnoticed. The recognition came as an oasis of appreciation after what Patrick describes as a “long drought of feeling like no one was paying attention, like no one cared.”
For Patrick, the Opry signifies more than a stage—it’s a testament to endurance and the ultimate acknowledgement from the country music community. “I don’t think playing the Opry will ever get old for me,” she asserts, underscoring the timeless honor that the experience represents. Her debut on that legendary platform stands as a “pinnacle moment” in her career, a milestone that many artists yearn for but few achieve.
In the fabric of Meghan Patrick’s career, the threads of resilience, passion, and authenticity weave a rich tapestry that hangs on the wall of the Grand Ole Opry—a testament to her journey. Her narrative stands as an inspiration for those navigating the turbulent waters of the music industry.
It’s a reminder that the true measure of an artist lies not in the immediacy of stardom, but in the unwavering commitment to their craft, the courage to confront and share their deepest struggles, and the power of music to resonate with the core of the human experience.
As she continues to grace stages and touch lives with her melodies, she doesn’t just sing songs; she tells the story of a spirit indomitable, a voice reverberating beyond the echoes of the Opry, and a heart intertwined with the very soul of country music.
For more music or tour dates go to www.meganpatrickmusic.com
As seen in the November 2023 issue:
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