Singer, songwriter, and actress Lauren Lucas continues to expand a multifaceted career that has taken her from the Broadway stage to the legendary Grand Ole Opry, from acclaimed studio albums to international tours — and now, to television screens. Known for her warm, Southern-rooted voice and emotional storytelling, she has earned recognition from both critics and audiences as one of the standout voices of contemporary American music.
A Tony Award–nominated composer and ACM Award–nominated artist, Lauren reaches a new milestone as she joins Keb’ Mo’ in creating the original soundtrack for the upcoming Netflix comedy Leanne, also performing its main theme. Her voice can also be heard on the Billboard-topping blues album Room on the Porch, by Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’, further highlighting her presence among some of the genre’s most respected names.
With songs featured on ABC, on Broadway (Urban Cowboy), and in film — and recorded by artists such as Danielle Peck and Damien Horne — Lauren has shared stages with Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, and The Bacon Brothers, among many others. While continuing to write and record for her own projects as well as film and television, she also teaches music composition at Belmont University, shaping a new generation of storytellers in Nashville.
Your journey spans such different stages — from Broadway to the Grand Ole Opry, and now to Netflix. What remains the same in you, no matter the stage or the audience?
My love for creating music, singing, and storytelling remains the same no matter what genre I’m writing. I have found that there are quite a few overlaps in writing for theater and country music, which surprised me. Writing instrumental music for TV is different in that you don’t write lyrics (except for the main title), but creating melodic motifs and melodies all comes from the same place. I enjoy doing it all.
In Leanne, you not only composed the soundtrack but also lent your voice to the main theme. When did you realize that this song had truly found its identity within the series?
We created the main title the very first day we worked on the series. The producer asked for that immediately. It took several iterations. We didn’t know if it “stuck” until they sent us picture for future episodes to work on and they temp’d it in. We figured since they didn’t come back with notes and were temp’ing it in the episodes, we must have created something they liked for the feel of the show. I learned pretty quickly that no news is good news!
Your sound is deeply rooted in the American South, yet it resonates globally. What does it mean to you to carry that Southern soul in such a diverse musical world?
I grew up in community theater in Columbia, SC mostly performing in local musical reviews called, Showstoppers. I was surrounded by all genres of music — from 40’s standards, to jazz, gospel, patriotic songs, etc. I am so thankful for that broad and diverse music education. The storytelling and soulfulness in earlier music shaped how I create music today. Gospel music, Motown and country were huge influences on me from an early age. Something about the soulfulness of those styles seeped in, along with the storytelling approach to Nashville songwriting. Over the years, as I’ve had opportunities to create for multiple genres and other artist, as well as for myself; it’s all come together in this sound that I call “southern soul.”
What was the creative process like working with Keb’ Mo’? Is there something about that collaboration that changed the way you see your own music?
Keb’ Mo’ has been one of my major musical influences since I was in college. To have the opportunity to work with him and call him a friend is super special to me. He it truly a musical genius. He hears things other people can’t, and he knows exactly what he’s after — a sound, a line, an EQ. He’s an incredible musician and still completely enthralled with making music. I’ve learned a lot from him, like the right placement of just one note or rhythm can elevate an entire piece. Or how to rearrange a lyric to make it more impactful and to just write it the way you would actually say it. And as a person, I admire how he trusts in timing and how he sees the best in everybody.
Your career crosses theater, film, television, and country music. In which of these worlds do you feel your artistic vulnerability shows up most authentically?
I think my artist vulnerability shows up the most in songwriting — no matter the genre. I can interpret a song in many genres as a vocalist, I can play a character, or I can help a director or artist communicate a story that’s not mine, but in songwriting, I’m always bringing something of myself to the process. I’m either drawing from lived experience or imaging what it would be like from my unique perspective and world view.
You also teach songwriting at Belmont University. What inspires you most about guiding new songwriters — and what do they teach you in return?
Each class takes on their own dynamic, and it is so much fun when the group of students bond quickly and feel vulnerable enough to share and support each other. I feel inspired by my students when they are hungry to learn and improve on their songwriting skills and work ethic. It’s fun to see their passion and drive. They teach me everything from the latest trends to specific ways of approaching a lyric. I’ve also learned a lot from the actual act of teaching. I’ve always just… done it. But having to break it down and truly understand my processes to share to others has been really helpful in my own writing.
Many artists describe songwriting as a form of healing. What does writing and singing mean to you today — is it still a search, a refuge, or a mirror?
Sometimes writing can be healing for sure. I write so often for assignments that I don’t always experience the healing nature of it on the daily, but I have certain songs that I will always hold near and dear to my heart because they helped me to process difficult experiences. Singing always feels like a refuge. I’ve always considered myself a singer first. I just love the feeling. I really had to work on becoming a songwriter, mostly my confidence. Singing comes as naturally as breathing to me.
After so many stages and stories, what kind of song do you still feel you need to write? Is there a theme or emotion that you haven’t yet put into words?
The more life I’ve lived, the more interesting my songs have become, in my opinion. I’ve gone through more types of situations, I’m a more interesting person now than in my 20’s. I used to only write love songs or break up songs — a lot of my students are stuck in those topics. That’s typical for a young adult. But I get so much more satisfaction now writing a song about redemption or motherhood, or drawing from whatever I’m thinking about or feeling in my own life. I enjoy getting inspired by other art that’s out there and wondering, “How could I do my own version of that? What can I bring to that idea?” I don’t know a specific topic that’s just dying to get out at the moment, but I can’t wait to see what inspiration strikes the more and more life unfolds.
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