Mickey Guyton is taking the next step with new music, touring and TV endeavors

Mickey Guyton’s new “House on Fire” has the hallmarks of a modern album.

There are stories of good times in jeans and cowboy boots. There are strange descriptions of a partner who does not pull his weight. There are also deep love letters like “Deserve” and “Make ‘Em Like You.”

In those unforgettable songs, Guyton sweetly explains that he is grateful that he did not settle, because, despite his shortcomings, he deserves the end of the story.

Guyton, 41, of Nashville, said: “I went through a really bad breakup that really hurt me. And I knew that in my next relationship I just wanted someone where it didn’t matter if he had no matter how much money he doesn’t have. The important thing is that he loved me 100% for me and made me important.”

Now happily married, Guyton said her husband and 3-year-old son inspired the album, which she’s showcasing on her first headlining tour. He will visit Chicago on Wednesday for a show at Joe’s on Weed. St. Four years after his breakthrough with the Grammy-nominated song “Black Like Me,” he said he’s enjoying a period of artistic freedom and ambition.

And the Texas native is still passionate about promoting different genres of country music. In fact, he said it was a calling.

“It’s definitely changing,” he said of country music. “There were a lot of Black scholars and Black journalists in the hall. [2024] CMA Festival. I’ve been traveling for years, and for the longest time that wasn’t there. So, I feel and see a change. How long will it take? Who can say?

Guyton said the needle was moved by Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album, which featured several Black Country artists. Among them is Shaboozey, whose “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” features hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks from mid-October. Although Guyton was not a guest on Beyoncé’s album, the pop star he sent her flowers and thanked him for “opening doors.”

“He has such a huge following,” Guyton said. “[‘Cowboy Carter’] it certainly brought more eyes than I could handle. “

However, Beyoncé’s efforts were not enough to earn a single Country Music Association Award nomination. Experts and other experts were quick to put on weightthey argue about whether it is “enough land” or whether he has it mixed to the correct quantity.

“People really expect country artists to get involved in the community and embrace this community,” Guyton said. “Country music is definitely a fun family genre. But at the same time, it’s still very disappointing that he got locked up, even for ‘Texas Hold ‘Em.’ But there are so many reasons. There are members, voters and many radio presenters. And so they will elect the people they want to elect. We really have a long way to go.”

An opportunity for improvement is also shown by the lack of radio play for women of all ethnicities. Only seven women were among the top 40 artists played as of Oct. 10 to 16 Oct. according to Mediabase. And two of the women sang the windows with the men.

Guyton said he wasn’t trying to find more air play.

He said: “I kind of let it be what it is. How often can you run into a burning house? I’d rather try harder, whether I admit it or not. I just have to find my own way.’ And I say to all the women in the country – white, Black, whoever – find your way. You don’t have to follow this pattern just to have a job.”

Showing injustice in country music came at a cost for Guyton. In a recent discussion about “The Breakfast Club,” revealed that she was bullied online after referring to singer Morgan Wallen when he used racial slurs. He said the stress contributed to his early retirement in 2021.

He said: “To this day, I still wonder if I want to do that again.” “People can be very mean behind their keyboards. But I think what keeps me going is that sometimes you’re given a job and you have to follow it because it’s important to change. And it’s so important that I take my little Zoloft and move on.”

Reflecting on the “whirlwind” past few years, Guyton cites singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2022 Super Bowl as a highlight.

“I wanted to be a singer who depended on hearing someone sing a national anthem,” she said, referring to LeAnn Rimes’ song as a child in the 1990s. “It was a full minute.”

Guyton recently graced another world stage when he sang his song “All American” at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“I think my favorite part of performing at the DNC was seeing all the different types of people in the audience,” he said. That was very encouraging. Seeing all the different faces of America. It was so beautiful and beautiful and loving and it’s something I’ll never forget. ”

Looking ahead, Guyton said he has dreams of expanding his entertainment career.

“I want to be more involved in film and television,” she said. “Being a talk show host and celebrating artists. And just becoming a triple threat. I love Kelly Clarkson’s career. I think that he has a great career and I really know him as a Texan.”

But next month, he will be sharing his gift with fans across the country.

“It’s definitely a spiritual feeling,” he said playfully. I can’t wait for people to be a part of it.