Maren Morris and Her Unexpected First Encounter with Carrie Underwood

When we imagine meeting our favorite celebrity idols, we often picture standing in long meet-and-greet lines or waiting outside concert venues long after the final encore. But for country singer Maren Morris, her first encounter with superstar Carrie Underwood took place in a setting far removed from the usual fanfare — inside a quiet writing room.

In a recent interview on The Howard Stern Show, Morris opened up about the surprising story of how she first met and worked with one of the biggest stars in country music. When asked who the first major artist she had ever collaborated with was, Morris revealed that her publisher received a call from Carrie Underwood’s team, inviting the then up-and-coming songwriter to join the icon for a writing session.

“That was my first big, like, artist to be in the room with,” Morris recalled. “And I had never even had a song recorded by her. So I felt like that was a really great sign that she just had heard something I had written and loved and was like, ‘I want to know who wrote this and write with them.’”

The session led to the creation of two songs, but neither track was ever officially recorded. According to Morris, that might have been a blessing in disguise.

“I’m kind of relieved she didn’t record them because I just would have gotten even more arrogant if I, on the first bat artist co-write, had gotten two cuts,” Morris said, laughing.

Even though those songs never made it to the studio, the experience itself was a major milestone in Morris’s career, especially as it happened before her breakthrough as a solo artist with her hit album Hero. Before stepping into the spotlight herself, Maren Morris had already made a name as a talented songwriter, penning songs for several household names in the music industry. Her credits include “Last Turn Home” for Tim McGraw and “Second Wind” for Kelly Clarkson — songs that helped establish her reputation in Nashville’s songwriting circles.

Morris’s story of meeting Carrie Underwood is not just a fun anecdote; it highlights the serendipity and creativity that define much of the music industry. It’s a reminder that career-defining moments don’t always happen on a grand stage or under the flashing lights of fame. Sometimes, they happen in a quiet room, where two artists come together to explore the possibilities of a song.

Though the music from that day may never be heard, the meeting left a lasting impression on Morris. It became a meaningful chapter in her journey — a reminder that talent can open doors, and that every experience, even one that doesn’t result in a chart-topping hit, plays a role in shaping an artist’s path.