Takin A Walk with Maggie Rose-Live and Legendary Encore : The Road Always Calls Her Back

Summary

Podcast Summary: Takin' A Walk with Maggie Rose — Live and Legendary Encore: The Road Always Calls Her Back

Podcast: Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Episode Date: April 10, 2026
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Maggie Rose
Theme: An in-depth conversation with Nashville singer-songwriter Maggie Rose, exploring her genre-defying career, creative philosophy, the impact of motherhood, live performance, and the evolving Nashville music scene.

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Episode Overview

This special "Live and Legendary" encore episode of Takin’ A Walk celebrates performers whose careers and artistry are built on unforgettable live moments. Buzz Knight sits down with Maggie Rose — an acclaimed Nashville-based artist whose music straddles soul, rock, and Americana. Together, they dive into Rose’s creative process, her recent projects, the transformative power of live performance, and her personal evolution as both artist and mother.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Guests Maggie Would Take a Walk With

[04:08–06:00]

• Maggie Rose chooses both Paul McCartney (for music history and insight into today’s industry) and Abraham Lincoln ("one of our greatest presidents during such an incredibly divisive time").
  • Quote:
    “I’d also work very hard to make Abraham Lincoln a fan of my music. That would be a cool accomplishment to have." — Maggie Rose [05:16]
• She reflects on learning from history and getting perspective from leaders who faced impossible challenges.

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2. Bending Genres & Artistic Identity

[06:25–07:36]

• Buzz praises Maggie’s genre-crossing approach (from her new song "Sting," her EP "Cocoon," to her full career).
• Maggie explains her philosophy:
  • It’s not about deliberately "bending rules," but "not really regarding rules" — she believes in serving each song’s unique needs and being open to collaboration.
  • Quote:
    “I like to explore my capabilities... naturally brings me to these different soundscapes.” — Maggie Rose [06:59]

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3. Performing with Symphony at Americana Fest

[07:36–09:52]

• Maggie describes the awe of performing her music live with a 70-piece symphony — a full realization of arrangements dreamed up during the pandemic and recorded remotely with musicians in Macedonia.
  • She highlights the pressure and joy of such a collaboration, and the rare, conscious choice to soak in the moment despite the sensory overload.
  • Quote:
    “It felt like one of those moments... you get there and you’re like, okay, this is kind of that touch point of all this work that I’ve been doing…” — Maggie Rose [08:33]
  • Memorable moment: Both interviewer and Maggie admit to getting chills at the experience. [09:49]

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4. Creating "No One Gets Out Alive"

[09:57–11:37]

• The latest full album emerged from personal loss, friendship changes, and pandemic reflections:
  • “I kind of felt like I had nothing to lose...”
  • She sought to "create things that are beautiful" while honoring the full weight of life and gratitude.
  • Themes: Wonder, the passage of time, and swinging big both lyrically and in production.

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5. Motherhood’s Creative Impact: "Cocoon"

[11:37–13:22]

• The EP "Cocoon" was shaped by Rose’s journey into motherhood and the metaphor of transformation.
  • Emphasizes the need for protection and selective growth: "You shed some things on your way to that next phase as well."
  • Songs are imbued with hope—a value she wants to pass along to her son, Graham.

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6. Collaborating with Grace Potter on "Poison in My Well"

[13:22–14:48]

• Guest spotlights Grace Potter’s generosity:
  • “She’s always lifting people up…” [13:37]
  • Potter contributed vocals to "Poison In My Well" on the same day she was asked.
  • Lesson: "Ask for what you want and you might get it." — Maggie Rose [14:19]

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7. Early Musical Influences & Growing Up

[15:10–17:05]

• Maggie recalls singing for her parents’ friends, noticing music’s unifying power at a young age.
  • Diverse musical household: "my mom would just be like, what do you think about this song?" [16:16]
• She grew up outside DC, surrounded by female singers in pop and country: "The divas were just like, abound when I was growing up.” [16:39]

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8. Nashville Then and Now

[19:32–21:42]

• Maggie’s journey: from releasing commercial country to discovering her soul through creative freedom.
  • Laments the loss of historic venues and "the soul of the music scene" due to growth and commercialization.
  • Still, she’s grateful for the broad spectrum of music in modern Nashville.
  • Quote:
    "You’ll find people making all kinds of music. And I love that it’s growing… I do wish that there was some reverence for the old music venues around town.” — Maggie Rose [20:24]

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9. Shining a Light on Collaborators & Unsung Heroes

[21:42–23:49]

• Maggie celebrates co-writers, musicians, producers, and engineers — especially Davis Nash, Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes), Natalie Hemby, Steph Jones, Anderson Clendenin, and more.
  • Acknowledges the importance of a vibrant creative team behind her sound.

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10. Advice for Independent Artists

[23:49–25:31]

• Rose encourages aspiring artists:
  • Be resolute, stay curious, validate yourself, and keep writing.
  • Emphasizes the vital role of grassroots live performance: “Playing live regularly…that’s a really important way for me to sustain my audience and what I do.”

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11. Songs from "Cocoon" Optimized for Live Performance

[25:31–26:50]

• Highlights “Relentless” — written after being dropped by her label, it’s about perseverance.
  • “I decided to double down and press on.”
• Collaborators Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly are celebrated for their contributions on the title track and "Relentless."

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12. Storytelling & Hope

[26:50–28:15]

• The EP’s closing track "Fly" is about hope, written years ago but finally felt right to release.
  • “Maybe it’ll be like Field of Dreams. If you put it out there, it’ll happen.”

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13. Creating with Urgency and Passion

[28:15–29:35]

• Maggie says, "I see this as a vocation. There’s not really a plan B."
  • Challenges and sacrifices are overshadowed by the fulfillment of doing what she loves.

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14. Maggie’s Own Podcast: "Salute to Songbird"

[29:51–30:37]

• Focuses on interviewing inspiring women in music, celebrating motherhood and artistry.

• Features live recordings and continues to grow with dream guests like Melissa Etheridge and Nancy Wilson.

  • Quote:
    "I get to interview all my favorite women in the industry... it’s so dreamy." — Maggie Rose [29:56]

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Notable Quotes

• "I’d also work very hard to make Abraham Lincoln a fan of my music." — Maggie Rose [05:16]
• "Trying to serve each song with the sonic arrangement that it needs… naturally brings me to these different soundscapes." — Maggie Rose [06:59]
• "It felt like one of those moments... a touch point of all this work that I’ve been doing…" — Maggie Rose [08:33]
• "Ask for what you want and you might get it." — Maggie Rose [14:19]
• "There’s not really a plan B. There’s not something else I would rather be doing." — Maggie Rose [28:49]
• "I see this as a vocation." — Maggie Rose [28:49]
• "Playing live regularly… that’s a really important way for me to sustain my audience and what I do." — Maggie Rose [24:14]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Guests Maggie Would Walk With: [04:08–06:00]
• Genre Approach: [06:25–07:36]
• Americana Fest Symphony Performance: [07:36–09:52]
• Album “No One Gets Out Alive”: [09:57–11:37]
• Motherhood & “Cocoon”: [11:37–13:22]
• Collab with Grace Potter: [13:22–14:48]
• Musical Upbringing: [15:10–17:05]
• Nashville’s Evolution: [19:32–21:42]
• Shining Light on Collaborators: [21:42–23:49]
• Artist Advice: [23:49–25:31]
• Live Standout Songs: [25:31–26:50]
• Storytelling & Hope: [26:50–28:15]
• Creative Passion: [28:15–29:35]
• Plug for “Salute to Songbird”: [29:51–30:37]

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Tone & Style

Maggie’s demeanor is candid, passionate, and self-aware. The conversation is both reflective and inspiring, blending stories of vulnerability, resilience, humor, and deep gratitude for music and community.

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Conclusion

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of Maggie Rose's artistry, the inspirations and realities behind her creative choices, and the necessity of live performance and community. For listeners, it offers a window into the soul of an artist whose journey is defined by curiosity, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to music as a calling.

For fans of music history, songwriting, and behind-the-scenes creative journeys, this episode is an essential listen.

Transcript

[Buzz Knight]

Taking a walk. Some artists make records, and then there are artists who make moments. The kind that hit you differently when you're standing in a room full of strangers who somehow all feel exactly what you're feeling at the exact same time. I'm Buzz Knight. Welcome back to Live and Legendary on Taking a Walk, our April encore series celebrating the start of concert season and the performers who remind us why nothing, nothing replaces the energy of live music. Today's guest is one of those artists who has been quar quietly and not so quietly, winning over every room she walks into. Maggie Rose is the real deal. A Nashville rooted singer songwriter whose sound defies easy categorization. Part soul, part rock, part Americana, all heart, she has spent years building her following the old fashioned way by getting out on the road night after night and delivering amazing performances. Critics have noticed. Also, fellow artists have noticed, and increasingly so has the world. There's a groundswell around Maggie Rose that feels like it's been earned every step of the way. One honest song at a time, one unforgettable show at a time. Today she joins us on this encore episode. And we have a feeling that after you hear this conversation, you'll be looking up when she's coming to a stage near you. This is Maggie Rose and this is Taking a Walk. Next.

[Maggie Rose]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Podcast Announcer]

Guaranteed Human on the Serving Pancakes podcast, Conversations about volleyball go beyond the court. Today we have a little best friend compatibility test. Okay, how long have we been best friends? Since the day we met. As the League 1 volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind the scenes stories and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Whether you're following the final push of love season or just love the game, serving Pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people shaping the future of volleyball. Open your free iHeartradio app. Search serving pancakes and listen. Now presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[Maggie Rose]

Then she says, have you seen a photo of my son? And I'm like, who is this person? Welcome to the boys and girls podcast. Arranged marriage is basically a reality show and you're auditioning for your soulmate. And who's judging? Only your entire family. I sacrificed myself to this ancient tradition hoping to find love the right way. And instead I found chaos, comedy, and a lot of cringe. Listen to boys and Girls on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Buzz Knight]

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. And I'm kicking off a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Stories from the frontiers of Marketing. Math and Magic takes you behind the scenes of the biggest businesses and industries while sharing insights from the smartest minds in marketing. Coming up this season on Math and Magic, CEO of Liquid Death, Mike Cesario.

[Maggie Rose]

People think that creat interactive ideas are like these light bulb moments that happen

[Buzz Knight]

when you're in the shower where it's really like a stone sculpture. You're constantly just chipping away and refining. Take to interactive CEO Strauss Selnick and our own Chief Business Officer, Lisa Coffey. Listen to Math and Magic on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Maggie Rose]

It's Financial Literacy Month and the podcast Eating While Broke is bringing real conversations about money, growth and building your future. This month, hear from top streamer Zoe Spencer and venture capitalist lakeisha Landrum Pierre as they share their journeys from starting out to leveling up.

[Podcast Announcer]

There's an economic component to communities thriving. If there's not enough money and entrepreneurship happening in communities, they fail.

[Maggie Rose]

Listen to Eating While Broke from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Interviewer]

Taking a Walk, Maggie, welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast. I'm so happy to have you.

[Maggie Rose]

I'm so happy to be here. Thanks for having me.

[Interviewer]

So the, the opening volley we like to bring out is the question.

[Maggie Rose]

I know it's coming.

[Interviewer]

You do, don't you? The question being if you could take a walk with somebody. I'm blushing. Now. You see, if you could take a walk with somebody, living or dead, who would you take a walk with? And maybe where would you take that walk?

[Maggie Rose]

Okay, I'm going to cheat because I have to say two people. Paul McCartney, because he's the greatest. And I want to hear all the stories about those early days and the Caverns. But I also want his take on where music is today. And if I can be so greedy, I have to also say Abraham Lincoln because he was one of our greatest presidents during such incredibly divisive time. And I would want to know what he would think about today and how he would navigate today.

[Interviewer]

That's awesome. I just recorded a future episode yesterday with Eric from the band Mid Lake. And he said, Abraham Lincoln. And he was talking himself out of it a bit at first. And I said, wait a minute. You know he's one of the guys, right? He's like.

[Maggie Rose]

He's one of the guys. Yeah, like Absolutely paramount to our history. People kind of chuckle when I say that because they think that as a musician, you sort of need to default to another musician. But, you know, I'd also work very hard to make Abraham Lincoln a fan of my music. That would be a cool accomplishment to have. But, yeah, I mean, I think that those really were unprecedented times. And how did he turn down the temperature? And how could he possibly unite our country today?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, what could we learn from our past?

[Maggie Rose]

And what would he think about where we've arrived? I mean, I'm sure that might be a kind of brutal criticism from him to see where we've come, but I think that it would just be eye opening to have some perspective from someone who was able to find some sort of solution during a time where it felt impossible.

[Interviewer]

And Paul McCartney would then set us straight on, industry wise, where things are absolutely heading. One of the things I love about all of your music, the new song, Sting, Cocoon, the ep, and certainly your great career, is the fact, fact that you touch many different genres. You. You like bending. Bending the rules a bit over your career. What inspired you to always think that way?

[Maggie Rose]

I think it's less about bending the rules and not really regarding rules. Trying to kind of serve each song with the sonic arrangement that it needs. And I like to explore my capabilities and continue examining myself as an artist. I think that just naturally brings me to these different. These different soundscapes. And I'm very collaborative, so I know that that also lends itself to some of the different sounds that you hear is just all the different people I work with.

[Interviewer]

And you were a fan favorite at Americana Fest recently. It sounds like you had multiple great experiences. Do you want to talk about the one with the. The symphony in particular?

[Maggie Rose]

Yes. It was surreal. So on my last album, no One Gets Out Alive, I had a lot of these really great orchestral arrangements. And we actually used A Symphony in Macedonia for the recording. This was something that sort of came out of the Pandemic, where these incredible symphonies were able to remotely record scores for films and arrangements for albums like my own. So this is the first time that I actually got to realize that kind of presentation with an actual ensemble behind me. It was 70 people, so that was daunting because that's a big train and once it's moving, there's no stopping it, there's no improvising. So that part was nerve wracking, but it just was. I just got totally swept up in the experience and it felt like one of those moments where, you know, there Aren't many, but where you get there and you're like, okay, this is kind of that touch point of all this work that I've been doing over the last couple years. To be able to play this music with, you know, these musicians who've dedicated their lives to their craft and just talk about collaborative experience. It was like everybody together helping carry these songs through. And something happened right before I hit the stage where I was able to consciously slow my brain down and be like, please enjoy this, and don't let the sensory overload just make it go by so quickly. And I was able to really settle in and enjoy the night. And just that concert hall in Nashville, it's so beautiful. And all the people that contributed to this record, so many of them were there, and it just felt like a big celebration, and I hope it's the first of many. Now that we have these arrangements, I know there's symphonies all over the world that I'd love to recreate that night with.

[Interviewer]

I Got Chills. That's awesome. That's fantastic.

[Maggie Rose]

I got chills, too. It was. It was really very, very special.

[Interviewer]

I want to talk about the 2024 album, no one Gets Out Alive. It, you know, certainly has a haunting title. What was your headspace as you were in the midst of that project and that creation?

[Maggie Rose]

I kind of felt like I had nothing to lose. I wrote that song with Natalie Humby and Sunny Sweeney, and it was after I lost people close to me. I had people that passed away. I had friendships that didn't sustain the pandemic and all the stress of that. And I just felt like life is too short and it should be celebrated and we should create things that are beautiful. And I kind of took that approach to the production as well. Like, these were big arrangements, and we swung for the fences, and I tried to put together the best band that I could put together in the studio, and I just really. I went for it, I suppose. And it's a lot about life and all of its wonder and, you know, how different events affect our perception of the passage of time, and it's about gratitude. And I think I just was at a place in my life where it was just so, like, incredibly palpable. And all the joy and sorrow just felt like a really creative moment, I think, for me.

[Interviewer]

And then moving into cocoon, you have your son, Graham, your. Your new young lad. How much did motherhood influence this metaphor of sort of transformation and emergence?

[Maggie Rose]

I think it was also about insulation, too, like, protecting myself during this time of physical creation. And also just musical creation. I wanted to have this snapshot of these collections of songs during this really special time in my life. And it also was about growth and all the beautiful things about it, but also the sharper edges of it and how not everyone wants to grow at the same rate as you. Not everyone wants to go with you to this new place that you're going and emergence is worthwhile, but you. You shed some things on your way to that next phase as well. So I think it was a lot of it about anticipation, letting go of things that I didn't need to bring with me in this new chapter as a mother, unburdening myself of some resentment. And also there's songs about hope that, you know, I want to impart that idea on Graham and show him that there is a world where hope is very much alive.

[Interviewer]

You collaborated on Cocoon with this gentle flower who needs to come out of her shell by the name of Grace Potter I know.

[Maggie Rose]

She's such a wallflower. She's so shy. I loved Yalls episode, by the way. She's. She's such a great person. The song is about, you know, not necessarily being able to support someone else and their successes. And she's the antithesis of that. She's so supportive and like, her Vermont community benefits from that, but also her creative community. She's always lifting people up. And I shared this music with her after it was done because I wanted her to hear it and I wanted her feedback on it, but really I was angling to get her to jump on this song with me. And she just the way she is. She said yes on the spot when I asked her over the phone. And her husband, Eric Valentine, is an incredible producer and engineer. So the two of them, I think that night went and put Grace's part on Poison in My well. And she sent it back the next day. And I just was like, this is surreal. And an example of, like, ask for what you want and you might get it. And we certainly did with what she contributed to that song.

[Interviewer]

It's so great. I love it. Poison in My well. And thanks for your nice words on having Grace on. She makes it very easy to roll with the flow because she's got such amazing energy and focus.

[Maggie Rose]

I love going on walks with her. I mean, just. She's so generous with just her. Her thoughts, her takes on what's going on, and she'll just sit in it with you and kind of, you know, she. There's not an agenda. She's trying to figure it all out and work through it with people.

[Interviewer]

Can you remember the first time in your life that you were impacted by music?

[Maggie Rose]

Yes. I mean, I was very young, and I actually think it was because I always loved to sing around the house and I loved to perform for my parents, friends, and they'd come over for dinner. Like, I just was a bit of a showboat in that way. But I think what impacted me was seeing this group of adults all of a sudden fall silent and pay attention and gather together just to, like, commune in music. I think seeing the power of that and the community that it brings at such an early age was pretty impactful to me. And there were some pretty cool opportunities as a very young person to sing with other people in choirs and just kind of getting to learn from that. Um, and also my parents played great music around the house too. Like, my mom would just be like, what do you think about this song? And she'd play like the Judds and Mary Chapin Carpenter and talk about their songwriting. And it just was like a very

[Interviewer]

alive in my house and very diverse musically. Which leads to your diverse musical approach. Certainly there's a pop side. I mean, you grew up outside of D.C. right?

[Maggie Rose]

That's right, yeah. And also the divas were just like, abound when I was growing up. I feel like more so than now. It's just like the female singer was everywhere in every genre really celebrated. And I think that definitely shaped my inclination to want to sing and belt it out like them.

[Interviewer]

We'll be right back with more of

[Buzz Knight]

the Taking a Walk podcast

[Maggie Rose]

with Verbocare. Help is always ready before, during, and after your stay. We've planned for the plot twists, so support is always available because a great trip starts with peace of mind.

[Podcast Announcer]

On the Serving Pancakes podcast, conversations about volleyball go beyond the court. Today we have a little best friend compatibility test. Okay, how long have we been best friends for? Since the day we met. As the League1 volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. We really are like yin and yang, vodka and tequila. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind the scenes stories, and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Today we have Logan Lednecki. I feel like our fan base in general is very connected. It's like a comforting feeling getting to play at home. Whether you're following the final push of love season or just love the game, serving Pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people shaping the future of volleyball. Jordan Thompson had that microphone out. God forbid we make a Mistake or

[Maggie Rose]

cuss at our coach.

[Podcast Announcer]

Like when talking. Open your free iHeartradio app. Search serving pancakes and listen. Now, this has been serving pancakes. And we'll catch you on the flip side, okay? Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[Maggie Rose]

You know the famous author Roald Dahl.

[Buzz Knight]

He thought up Willy Wonka and the bfg.

[Interviewer]

But did you know he was a spy? Neither did I. You can hear all about his wildlife story in the podcast the Secret World of Roald Dahl. All episodes are out now.

[Maggie Rose]

Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been what? Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you, the guy was a spy.

[Interviewer]

Binge all 10 episodes of the Secret World of Roald Dahl now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maggie Rose]

This is Amy Robach alongside TJ Holmes from the Amy TJ podcast.

[Interviewer]

And there is so much news, information, commentary coming at you day and from all over the place.

[Maggie Rose]

What's fact, what's fake, and sometimes what

[Interviewer]

the f. So let's cut the crap, okay? Follow The Amy TJ podcast, a one stop news and pop culture shop to get you caught up and on with your day.

[Maggie Rose]

And listen to Amy and TJ on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Buzz Knight]

Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast.

[Interviewer]

How much since you made moved to Nashville quite a few years ago, has Nashville changed?

[Maggie Rose]

It's a totally different town in my opinion, but I've also found a different Nashville myself, personally, I think in the creative community that I have around me. When I moved here in 2008, I was releasing commercial country music. I was doing the country radio thing and, you know, being dragged around the country doing radio tours, trying to get that one song played on that station. And I feel like I would put a whole year of my life into promoting this one song when, you know, we have multitudes within us. And just the template didn't really work for me. And I think that forced me to explore my sound and that's when the soul started to come out. And my departure from that approach actually just opened up my. My world of music. So I started working in a different way and I think that that made me attract people who maybe aren't what you would typically assume a Nashville musician to be like. Nashville's music is. The spectrum is so much more broad than it was before. You'll find people making all kinds of music. And I love that it's Growing. The traffic sucks, but the food's gotten really good. I do wish that there was some reverence for the old music venues around town. This being Music City, I think that we've forsaken some of those really awesome institutions that made people want to move here in the first place. There's so much that's given way to the bottom line and tourism and all those things which are necessary per se to grow. But yeah, I think I'm missing the soul of the music scene a little bit in terms of the live entertainment. But there are some incredible places still.

[Interviewer]

There's a lot of unsung musical heroes, songwriters, session people that need to be showcased and acknowledged more. I know there's a ton of them that worked on Cocoon with you. Why don't you shine a light on some of these at times. Unsung heroes.

[Maggie Rose]

Yeah, I think Melissa Fuller is an incredible writer. She's also a great artist. I've written songs with her on previous projects. Davis Nash, he was one of the producers with Ben Tanner, who produced my last album, and Davis helped me write a lot of the songs. He is an incredible programmer and musician. Ben Tanner is. He's with the Alabama Shakes out on tour right now and he's been so instrumental to my evolution. We made an album down at Fame in Muscle Shoals a couple years ago, and then we worked on no One Gets Out Alive. And he's someone who really gets in the trenches with me and helps me with the A and R process and selecting the songs. And I mean, the role of producer, he takes and he runs with it. He offers so much more. And of course, Natalie Hemby is a great friend of mine. She collaborated on it. Steph Jones, who's had a hell of a year, she's written a bunch of songs for Sabrina Carpenter and has a great pop sensibility. Oh, boy. I know I'm forgetting a bunch of people, but my sound guy, Anderson Clendenin, helped with the mixing of it and he's like this young kid who comes out on the road with us and is such a whiz and I'm very excited to watch his career grow. I forget that he's like only 24 or something. So, yeah, it's exciting. I stay inspired by the people I get to work with.

[Interviewer]

I mean, you've been an independent, you know, kind of self founded in your own way. Can you give a piece of advice to. To artists trying to make it without the big machine behind them?

[Maggie Rose]

Yes. I mean, I think you have to be resolute in the fact that this is what you want to do and definitely don't let what's around you validate your efforts. I've done this with a big machine. I've done it independently over the years, of course, and I think just always wanting to write that next song and staying curious and wanting to continue to examine myself, that's never gone away. I think staying creative is a choice. You have to just be diligent about it. I think that's an approach that I feel like I need to always be trying to flex that muscle. And also I have done this in such a grassroots way. I think playing live regularly and all these different markets and making sure that I go back and nurture those communities that have come out and seen me over the years, that's a really important way for me to sustain my audience and what I do. Even if it's a little bit longer of a lapse in between releasing new music. Like, we just. We try to stay out there because the live show is so important to me in connecting with people.

[Interviewer]

Talk about some more of the songs on Cocoon that in particular, you feel are going to really play great out in front of people.

[Maggie Rose]

Well, I failed to mention Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly as some of my collaborators. They wrote the title track with me, and they also wrote Relentless with me. And they actually are very celebrated songwriters. They've written songs for Miley Cyrus and all sorts of people. But I think Relentless is a really great message for the EP as a whole, because I wrote it just a few days after I found out that I was dropped by my previous record label. I have a new home and everything turned out all right. But that was one of those moments where you're asking, like, how does an artist keep going without the big machine? That was definitely a moment where I decided to double down and press on. And I think that that always goes over really well in the audience because it's not necessarily providing a solution for the listener, but it is definitely an encouraging message.

[Interviewer]

The Washington Post little newspaper called you one of music's rising storytellers. What stories are you most compelled to tell right now at the stage of your.

[Maggie Rose]

Of your life right now? Stories of Hope. The last song on the EP is a song called Fly, and it's the only song in this collection of songs that I didn't write and record, you know, while I was pregnant. I actually wrote it years ago with Caitlin Smith and Raleigh Goldswick, and it almost. I felt like I was like, this is too, too hopeful. This is too Positive. And because of where I am right now with my son, and I'm excited about the future, I felt like, okay, this is time to share this message. And maybe it'll be like Field of Dreams. If you put it out there, it'll happen. And I think that's what we need right now. No, it sounds trite, but if you can package it in a way that you can believe, and I feel like I'm trying to get there, then that's okay. We can. I'll have more of that out there for sure.

[Interviewer]

Maggie, you clearly have this approach, which is not leaving anything, you know, taken for granted and just playing and creating as if it's the last time you're going to play and create. You. You have that all in thousand percent approach, for sure. Do you know when that first clicked in as a musician, that attitude?

[Maggie Rose]

I. I mean, I think sometimes it's. It's almost like I just need to get in that mode and hope that I will mentally arrive there. So, like, it appears that way. But I think it's because I see this as a vocation. I think it's. There's not really a plan B. There's not something else I would rather be doing. So it makes it very simple in a way because you're just like, well, this is it. And I'm getting to do what I love. And yeah, it comes with some challenges and it can be kind of gnarly at times, but I don't have to wonder about what else I want to be doing. So that kind of makes it easy in a way to just say, okay, we're all in.

[Interviewer]

I'm so grateful that you came on the podcast and for. I'm so grateful for the music that you continue to give us and the performances and, and, oh, I neglected to let you plug your podcast, so why don't you plug your podcast?

[Maggie Rose]

Thank you. It's called Salute to Songbird, and I get to interview all my favorite women in the industry. And I just did a special episode with Caitlin Smith and Lucy Silvis and Jillian Jacqueline about motherhood and being a working mom in the industry. But I've had Melissa Etheridge on and Nancy Wilson, and it's just, it's so dreamy. And now I'm doing in front of a live audience, which is really fun because I'm talking to other performers and they just really give me great interviews with that energy in the room. So I hope to continue doing it. And the list of people that I'm being recommended just never ends. It's constantly growing because there's so many amazing people out there to talk to.

[Interviewer]

Well, and those people want to be on with the cool people. And you are one of the cool people. So.

[Maggie Rose]

Thanks, Buzz.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, thanks, Maggie.

[Maggie Rose]

I'm trying.

[Interviewer]

I appreciate you being on. This is awesome.

[Maggie Rose]

It's great to talk to you. Thank you so much for having me.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm Buzz Knight. And thanks for listening to the Taking a Walk podcast. Now, please check out our companion podcasts produced by Buzz Night Media Productions with your host, Lynn Hoffman. Music Save Me Showcasing the healing power of music and comedy. Save Me. Shining a light on how laughter is the best medicine. All shows are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and are part of the iHeart podcast network.