Miranda Lambert Talks Being a Free Agent After Label Split & Writing With Jelly Roll

Miranda Lambert is opening up about what’s next following her split from longtime label home Sony Music Nashville, which she announced in March.

In April 2022, Lambert released her last album under her Sony deal, Palomino, which is nominated for album of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 11. (Lambert will also defend her ACM Awards entertainer of the year title, with additional nominations in the female artist of the year and artist-songwriter of the year categories.)

Lambert was 19 when she signed with Sony Music Nashville, which has put out all her major-label releases starting with 2005’s Kerosene. Seated upstairs at her Nashville restaurant, Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa, earlier this week, the singer/songwriter seemed serene, telling Billboard that she’s not in any rush to sign with another label at the moment.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do as far as a label goes, but I have been enjoying just being creative and letting the music lead me,” says Lambert, who still owns her Vanner Records imprint. “I don’t have any obligation to anyone right now, and I’m kind of free for the first time in 20 years.

“I had some amazing times at Sony. My whole life’s work, as far as music, is there,” Lambert adds. “So looking back on all those records, I’m so grateful for all those good times, but I’m also very much welcoming change. The music business is a completely different landscape than it was when I was 19, when I signed my record deal. I definitely just want creative partners. It’s important to me to be in charge of my music, because that’s where everything starts for me. None of my other brands and things I’m involved in will work if the music isn’t there. I’m just going to keep writing — and I’ve got a few collabs up my sleeve that I’m very excited about — and see where it takes me.”

One of her recent collaborations took place with fellow singer/songwriter and country music hitmaker Jelly Roll. “The Lost,” which they co-wrote with Jesse Frasure, will be on Jelly Roll’s Whitsitt Chapel, which comes out June 2.

“Jesse Frasure asked me to be part of a co-write last minute. He was like, ‘Hey come write with me and Jelly,’ and I had never met him but was like, ‘Sure.'” Lambert says. “But instantly, I felt such a connection and he’s such a kindred spirit. He was just a lovely person, and he’s a great songwriter. Just talking to him, it felt like home. It felt like I had known Jelly forever. He’s just one of those welcoming personalities, and we had such a good time writing together. Luckily, our song did land on his record, which I am super excited about. I definitely made new lifelong friends in him and [Jelly Roll’s wife] Bunnie. It’s fun to, this far into the game, still collaborate and meet new people and this younger generation of artists who are emerging and learn new things from them and stay fresh. It feels cool to be part of that.”