Maren Morris on How Keith Urban Helped Open a Door for Her Career — And How She’s Paying it Forward.

‘I just think my career would’ve looked a lot different. I just learned so much from that,’ Morris exclusively tells Parade.

Maren MorrisPhoto by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

Maren Morris is reflecting on the early days of her career ahead of the release of her new album, Dreamsicle.

The “Carry Me Through” crooner, 34, opened up about the importance of supporting new artists and emerging talent while chatting exclusively with Parade before her White Claw Sessions performance on April 10. The multi-city concert series will also introduce Next Wave Artists, a brand-new initiative that spotlights rising musicians.

“It’s important to me because I’ve [always] had someone supporting me,” Morris tells Parade.  “My first tour was [with] Keith Urban back in 2016, and if he hadn’t opened a door for me, I just think my career would’ve looked a lot different. I just learned so much from that. And not just only the fact that people that headline shows and can bring new artists into the fold are inspiring.”

Morris continues: “It’s just a kindness in this industry that can sometimes feel really isolating. So I love being able to discover new music myself, discover artists that make me excited, and then bring them on the road. Being able to collaborate in a space such as this at the show is going to be really fun. So it’s always in my interest to pay it forward because so many have done so for me.”

As for what fans can expect from Morris’ new album, which is out next month, the Grammy Award winner tells Parade that the record contains “a lot of nuance of emotion.”

“But it’s a fun summer record to me, ultimately,” she says, “because that’s the season of life I’m in. It’s like, out of the winter, new blooms, but just wanting to take it easy and give yourself a break, because it’s just hard to be a human in all aspects. And I wanted to lean into the things that made me laugh again. And that’s kind of where the album ended.”

Fans can catch Morris’ White Claw Sessions performance on April 10.