Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Miranda Lambert
Discover the career path of Miranda Lambert, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Miranda Lambert is a highly acclaimed American country singer, songwriter, and guitarist, notable for both her solo work and membership in the group Pistol Annies. Her career began with an independent album release in 2001, followed by a third-place finish on 'Nashville Star' in 2003. Lambert has received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Country Music Association Awards. She holds the record for the most Academy of Country Music Awards won by any artist and was recognized as the 'greatest country music artist of all time' by the Chicago Tribune in 2019. In 2024, she received the Country Icon Award at the People's Choice Country Awards.
2001: Independent Album Release
In 2001, Miranda Lambert independently released her self-titled debut album.
September 15, 2003: Signs with Epic Records
On September 15, 2003, Miranda Lambert signed with Epic Records.
2003: Nashville Star Audition
In 2003, Miranda Lambert auditioned for the talent competition Nashville Star, where she finished in third place.
2004: Debut Single Release
In the summer of 2004, Miranda Lambert's debut single, "Me and Charlie Talking", was released as the lead single to her debut album, Kerosene.
2005: Kerosene Album Release
In 2005, Miranda Lambert released her second album, Kerosene, which became certified Platinum in the United States.
2006: Tours with Keith Urban and George Strait
In early 2006, Miranda Lambert toured with Keith Urban and George Strait.
May 1, 2007: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Album Release
On May 1, 2007, Miranda Lambert released her second album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She wrote eight of the album's eleven tracks.
2007: Tours with Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith
In 2007, Miranda Lambert toured with Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith. She also played at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.
2007: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Album Release
In early 2007, Miranda Lambert released her second album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
July 2008: Kerosene sales
By July 2008, Miranda Lambert's album Kerosene had sold more than 930,000 copies.
July 2008: Gunpowder & Lead Top 10
In July 2008, Miranda Lambert's single "Gunpowder & Lead" became her first top 10 entry on the country songs chart.
April 5, 2009: Dead Flowers Debut
On April 5, 2009, Miranda Lambert debuted her new single, "Dead Flowers", at the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
May 4, 2009: Dead Flowers Release
On May 4, 2009, Miranda Lambert's single "Dead Flowers" was released.
August 17, 2009: White Liar Release
On August 17, 2009, Miranda Lambert's single "White Liar" was released and debuted at No. 50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
September 2009: Revolution Album Release
In September 2009, Miranda Lambert released her third album, Revolution.
September 29, 2009: Revolution Album Release
On September 29, 2009, Miranda Lambert released her third album, Revolution. She co-wrote 11 of the album's 15 tracks.
2009: Opened MuttNation Foundation
In 2009, Miranda Lambert and her mother, Bev, opened MuttNation Foundation, an organization that focuses on rescue animals and shelters.
2009: New face of Cotton Inc.
In 2009, Miranda Lambert became the new face of Cotton Inc.'s revived "The Touch, The Feel of Cotton" campaign. She appeared in ads to promote cotton, and her song "Fabric of My Life" was featured.
February 2010: White Liar Top Five
In February 2010, Miranda Lambert's "White Liar" became her first Top Five hit, reaching a peak of No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
March 8, 2010: The House That Built Me Release
On March 8, 2010, Miranda Lambert's single, The House That Built Me, was released.
July 2010: Only Prettier Release
In July 2010, Miranda Lambert's "Only Prettier" was released as the album's fourth single.
September 1, 2010: CMA Award Nominations
On September 1, 2010, it was announced that Miranda Lambert had received a record-setting 9 CMA award nominations.
December 2010: Only Prettier Peak
In December 2010, Miranda Lambert's "Only Prettier" reached a peak of number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
January 2011: Heart Like Mine Release
In January 2011, Miranda Lambert's single "Heart Like Mine" was released as the fifth and final single from Revolution.
April 4, 2011: Pistol Annies Debut
On April 4, 2011, during the taping of the Academy of Country Music's 'Girls' Night Out' television special in Las Vegas, Miranda Lambert debuted her new project, girl group Pistol Annies.
May 2011: Hell on Heels Release
In May 2011, Pistol Annies released their single, "Hell on Heels".
May 28, 2011: Heart Like Mine Number One
On May 28, 2011, Miranda Lambert's "Heart Like Mine" became her second Number One hit on the country charts.
August 23, 2011: Hell on Heels Album Release
On August 23, 2011, Pistol Annies released their debut album, Hell on Heels, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's country chart.
November 1, 2011: Four the Record Album Release
On November 1, 2011, Miranda Lambert's fourth studio album, Four the Record, was released.
2011: Formation of Pistol Annies
In 2011, Miranda Lambert formed the group Pistol Annies alongside Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley.
2011: Four the Record Album
In 2011, Miranda Lambert released her album Four the Record, which included the singles "Baggage Claim", "Over You", "Fastest Girl in Town", "Mama's Broken Heart", and "All Kinds of Kinds".
February 8, 2012: Law & Order: SVU Debut
On February 8, 2012, Miranda Lambert made her acting debut on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in an episode titled "Father's Shadow".
October 2, 2012: Cheers, It's Christmas Release
Late in 2012, Miranda Lambert appeared on Blake Shelton's Christmas album Cheers, It's Christmas, and the soundtrack was released on October 2, 2012.
October 23, 2012: Locked & Reloaded Tour Announcement
On October 23, 2012, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley announced the co-headlined 33-show Locked & Reloaded Tour, which began on January 17, 2013.
2012: "Over You" reached number 1
In 2012, Miranda Lambert's "Over You" reached number 1, making "Bluebird" her first number 1 single since that song.
January 17, 2013: Locked & Reloaded Tour Begins
The Locked & Reloaded Tour began on January 17, 2013
May 7, 2013: Annie Up Album Release
On May 7, 2013, Pistol Annies released their second album, Annie Up.
2013: Donated to Gypsy Rose's mother
In 2013, Miranda Lambert donated an estimated $6,000 check to Gypsy Rose Blanchard's mother to help with Gypsy's medical needs.
February 5, 2014: Automatic Release
On February 5, 2014, Miranda Lambert released the lead single from her fifth studio album, Platinum, called "Automatic".
June 3, 2014: Platinum Album Release
On June 3, 2014, Miranda Lambert released her album Platinum.
November 2014: Announced partnership with Ram trucks
In November 2014, Miranda Lambert's partnership with Chrysler's Ram trucks was announced. Ram gave Lambert a customized 1500 Laramie Longhorn which she auctioned off, with proceeds going to Lambert's MuttNation Foundation.
December 2014: Released line of shoes and boots
In December 2014, Miranda Lambert's line of shoes and boots was released through DSW.
2014: Opened Redemption Ranch
In 2014, Miranda Lambert opened Redemption Ranch, a shelter in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
2014: Platinum Album Release
In 2014, Miranda Lambert released her fifth album, Platinum, which later won a Grammy Award for Best Country Album.
January 12, 2015: Little Red Wagon Release
On January 12, 2015, Miranda Lambert's album's third single "Little Red Wagon" was released to country radio.
June 22, 2015: Smokin' and Drinkin' Release
On June 22, 2015, Miranda Lambert's "Smokin' and Drinkin'" was released to country radio.
July 2015: Began writing songs with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram
In July 2015, Miranda Lambert began writing songs with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram, which later became part of The Marfa Tapes.
November 2015: CMA Award for Album of the Year
In November 2015, Miranda Lambert became the first woman to have won the Country Music Association Awards' Album of the Year twice.
July 18, 2016: Released "Vice"
On July 18, 2016, Miranda Lambert released "Vice" to country radio and digital outlets. It was co-written by Lambert, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne, marking her first new song since Platinum.
November 18, 2016: The Weight of These Wings Album Release
On November 18, 2016, Miranda Lambert released her sixth studio album, The Weight of These Wings, which was later certified Platinum.
January 24, 2017: Began Highway Vagabond Tour
On January 24, 2017, Miranda Lambert began the Highway Vagabond Tour, her first live shows after being put on mandatory vocal rest and canceling her previous tour in 2016. The tour included shows in the US, Canada, and Europe.
2017: Previous headlining tour in UK/Europe
In 2017, Miranda Lambert had a headlining tour in the UK/Europe prior to her performance at the C2C: Country 2 Country Festival in 2022.
2017: Surpassed Reba McEntire as most awarded ACM Female Vocalist
In 2017, Miranda Lambert surpassed Reba McEntire as the most awarded ACM Female Vocalist.
2017: MuttNation rescued animals after Hurricane Harvey
In 2017, MuttNation rescued dozens of animals as part of its emergency/natural disasters objective in the wake of Hurricane Harvey's devastation.
April 2018: ACM Award for Female Vocalist of the Year
In April 2018, Miranda Lambert won the ACM Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for the ninth consecutive year.
November 2, 2018: Pistol Annies released Interstate Gospel
On November 2, 2018, the Pistol Annies, reformed and released their third studio album, Interstate Gospel, which reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart.
June 2019: Debuted "Locomotive" at CMA Music Festival
In June 2019, Miranda Lambert debuted the song "Locomotive" at the CMA Music Festival, another track intended for her upcoming album.
July 18, 2019: Released "It All Comes Out in the Wash"
On July 18, 2019, Miranda Lambert released "It All Comes Out in the Wash" as the lead-off single from her upcoming seventh studio album. The song was co-written by Lambert with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose and produced by Jay Joyce.
August 2019: Previewed "Mess with My Head" and "Bluebird"
In August 2019, Miranda Lambert previewed two other tracks, "Mess with My Head" and "Bluebird," ahead of her upcoming album.
November 1, 2019: Wildcard Album Release
On November 1, 2019, Miranda Lambert released her seventh studio album, Wildcard.
2019: Released pet products line
In 2019, Miranda Lambert released a line of pet products to support MuttNation Foundation, sold inside Tractor Supply Company stores.
January 16, 2020: Wildcard Tour was set to begin
On January 16, 2020, Miranda Lambert's 27-date Wildcard Tour was scheduled to begin. However, it was later canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
May 9, 2020: Wildcard Tour was to run through
Miranda Lambert's Wildcard Tour was to run through May 9, 2020, but which had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
August 1, 2020: "Bluebird" reached number 1
On August 1, 2020, Miranda Lambert's "Bluebird" became her first number 1 single on the Billboard Country Airplay chart as a solo artist since 2012, and her fifth career number 1 on the chart.
2020: Recorded The Marfa Tapes
Towards the end of 2020, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, and Jack Ingram recorded The Marfa Tapes in Marfa, Texas, using just two microphones and two acoustic guitars.
March 2, 2021: Hinted at upcoming project
On March 2, 2021, Miranda Lambert hinted at an upcoming project with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram via her social media accounts before announcing their upcoming collaborative acoustic record The Marfa Tapes.
May 7, 2021: The Marfa Tapes Album Release
On May 7, 2021, Miranda Lambert, along with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram, released the album The Marfa Tapes, which received acclaim from critics.
May 10, 2021: "Settling Down" reached top 10
By May 10, 2021, "Settling Down" had reached the top 10 of both the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and the Billboard Country Airplay Chart, marking Miranda Lambert's 14th top 10 hit on the Country Airplay Chart and her 16th on the Hot Country Songs Chart.
May 2021: Opened Casa Rosa bar
In May 2021, Miranda Lambert became the first female artist to open her own bar in the Lower Broadway entertainment district of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The bar is named Casa Rosa.
May 25, 2021: Performed at Casa Rosa opening
On May 25, 2021, Miranda Lambert performed a duet of "Summer Nights" with her husband Brendan McLoughlin at the opening night party of her bar, Casa Rosa.
October 22, 2021: Pistol Annies released Hell of a Holiday
On October 22, 2021, the Pistol Annies released their first Christmas album, Hell of a Holiday, which included original songs, a cover of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December", and popular Christmas classics.
December 30, 2021: Released "Y'all Means All"
On December 30, 2021, Miranda Lambert released "Y'all Means All" in support of the LGBTQ community. The song was featured in the trailer for the sixth season of Queer Eye.
2021: "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" Certified Platinum
In 2021, Miranda Lambert and Elle King's collaboration "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" was certified platinum.
2021: Released "Strange" and announced Palomino album
In 2021, Miranda Lambert released "Strange" and announced her ninth solo studio album, Palomino, which included re-recorded tracks from her 2021 Marfa Tapes album.
2021: New recordings and speculation about Pistol Annies
In 2021, Miranda Lambert released new recordings of "Tin Man", "Am I Right or Amarillo" and "Geraldene". There was also speculation about a new Pistol Annies project. Lambert also revealed that she was working on an upcoming solo record.
January 12, 2022: Uploaded official video for "If I Was A Cowboy"
On January 12, 2022, Miranda Lambert uploaded the official video for "If I Was A Cowboy" to YouTube.
March 2022: Won Entertainer of the Year at ACM Awards
In March 2022, Miranda Lambert won Entertainer of the Year at the American Country Music Awards.
April 29, 2022: Palomino Album Release
On April 29, 2022, Miranda Lambert released her eighth solo album, Palomino.
September 2022: MuttNation partnered with Greater Good Charities
In September 2022, MuttNation partnered with Greater Good Charities to provide 2 million pet meals to help families going through economic challenges to stay with their beloved pets.
2022: Headlined C2C: Country 2 Country Festival
From March 11-13, 2022, Miranda Lambert headlined Europe's largest country music festival, C2C: Country 2 Country, marking her first performances in the UK/Europe since her headlining tour there in 2017. She performed two songs from Palomino live for the first time at her London show.
2022: ACM Entertainer of the Year Award
In 2022, Miranda Lambert was the ninth female artist in the show's history to win Entertainer of the Year at the ACM Awards.
March 2023: Left Sony Music Nashville
In March 2023, Miranda Lambert announced that she was leaving Sony Music Nashville after nineteen years.
2023: Co-authored cookbook
In 2023, Miranda Lambert co-authored a cookbook titled Y’all Eat Yet? Welcome to the Pretty B*tchin’ Kitchen with Holly Gleason.
April 2024: Signed joint deal with Republic Records and Big Loud
In April 2024, Miranda Lambert announced that she had signed a joint deal with Republic Records and Big Loud.
May 3, 2024: Released "Wranglers"
On May 3, 2024, Miranda Lambert released "Wranglers" as the first single under her new contract with Republic Records and Big Loud.
June 28, 2024: Released "Dammit Randy"
Promotional single "Dammit Randy" was released on June 28, 2024, a song she co-wrote with her husband, Brendan McLoughlin.
September 13, 2024: Postcards from Texas album released
On September 13, 2024, Miranda Lambert's tenth studio album, Postcards from Texas, was released.
