“It just felt so natural, especially at a Las Vegas award show like the ACMs,” she told PEOPLE Friday after her rehearsal. “I always try to do performances here that are fun and positive and just party, because every time I’m here I feel like I just want to celebrate.”
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’sfull ACM Awards coverageto get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
Kevin Winter/ACMA2019/Getty Images
John Osborne, Maren Morris and TJ Osborne perform at the 2019 ACM Awards.Kevin Winter/Getty
Morris said it’s rather fitting that she’s performing their duet “All My Favorite People” with the duo of the year nominees, who already picked up the prize for music event of the year withDierks Bentleyfor “Burning Man.”
“They were my first friends in Nashville when I moved to town six years ago and they are my favorite people,” she said. “John and TJ are so down to earth and do not take themselves too seriously, and I would like to think of myself in the same vein. They make it super easy on me, and hopefully vice versa. And we’re just pros that like to have fun. I mean, this is supposed to be fun — it’s music!”
Maren Morris and TJ Osborne at rehearsal.Kevin Winter/ACMA2019/Getty Images
Maren Morris and TJ Osborne perform at the ACM Awards.
The performance comes just weeks after Morrisreleased her sophomore recordGIRL, the first album she’s recorded as a married woman.
Asked how songwriting has changedsince tying the knotwith singer/songwriterRyan Hurdlast March, Morris said, “I’m writing a lot more love songs this time around because you write what you know and what your surroundings are. It’s a much happier record because of him and his effect on my life for the last several years.”
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd.Ethan Miller/Getty
Morris, 28, and Hurd, 32, celebrated their one-year anniversary two weeks ago.
“We have very demanding schedules, but we are just in constant contact with one another,” she said. “We love supporting each other’s music — we play each other our demos in our kitchenallthe time. He reallyhelped me pick a lot of the songsthat are on [GIRL] and I help him when he has songs. It’s a really collaborative marriage in all the ways.”
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd.Steve Granitz/WireImage
Soon, Morriswill be hitting the roadwithMiranda Lambertas part of the Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour.
Of the tour, which also featuresElle Kingand Ashley McBryde on certain dates, Morris said, “I feel like it’s very much a celebration of women in music.”
The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards are broadcasting live from Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on CBS.
source: people.com
