Two-time Grammy winner Natalie Hemby performed her one-woman show in front of the Ferris community to show that there are deeper truths within songs.
She performed in front of 80 members of the Ferris community, as well as people she knew who traveled from out of state. The performance took place on Tuesday, Sep. 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in DEC Ballroom A.
“The Truth About a Song” consists of Hemby’s songs, where deeper truths are both valued and interpreted.
Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Hemby has been songwriting since she was little. She has gone on to pen songs for famous music artists like Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Lauren Daigle and so many others. Her primary genre for singing and songwriting is country.
She is currently a writer at Universal Music Group Nashville (UMPG) in Tennessee. She has also released two solo albums, “Puxico” (2017) and “Pins and Needles” (2021), along with being a member of The Highwomen’s debut studio album “The Highwomen” (2019).
As far as the Ferris community knowing about her story, Hemby hopes to inspire students that they can achieve anything if they put in the hard work and use their personal gifts.
“I hope that they realize that they can do this if they really want to,” Hemby said. “I hope they realize that it takes a lot of courage and bravery to step into this type of profession. But if anything I just hope that they’re encouraged to use the gifts that they have been given.”
Hemby also said it was a pleasure performing in front of the community by also trying to connect her story to other people.
“I’m happy to be here because I remember being in college,” Hemby said. “I studied this very thing, but I sometimes felt like where do I go from here. I just like to compare and tell my story because it is complicated but it’s also a journey and it’s really beautiful if you choose to go on it.”
Before she performed almost every song, Hemby would talk about a truth within the song. The first song she performed was called “The Bees,” which she wrote for Lee Ann Womack. The truth behind it was that writing occurs in the most unexpected place at the most unexpected time.
Another song where she expressed a truth was “Crowded Table.” She wrote this song during COVID, and now plays it during Thanksgiving and times of bonding. The truth behind it is that if a song is not written, then the person doesn’t know where it’s going to take them.
That song spoke to music entertainment business junior Al Rineer because of the truth it represents.
“She wrote a song that I just absolutely adore called Crowded Table,” Rineer said. “My jaw dropped when she said she wrote that song because that songs means so much to me personally because I love being around people. And not a lot of people think about songwriters behind the songs.”
Other songs Hemby performed were “Pontoon,” which she wrote for country music vocal group Little Big Town, and some originals, including “Timing is Everything”, “Candlelight” and “There’s No Music.”
Paul Kwant, an associate professor in the music and entertainment business, wanted to bring Hemby’s music and story to the Ferris community to provide a good opportunity for inspiration and entertainment.
“We want to have something where people learn but yet enjoy the entertainment piece of it,” Kwant said. “Learning about the truth about a song and the struggles that writers have as well as the joys that they experience is learning an educational experience. So it’s edutainment.”
Hemby’s albums are available to purchase on Spotify and Apple Music. Her music can also be listened to on YouTube.
The second arts and lecture committee event of the semester will host former Detroit Lions kicker and NFL Hall of Fame candidate Jason Hanson. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in the DEC Ballrooms.