Meghan Trainor Talks Whirlwind Year Leading To Awards Streak

Meghan Trainor accepts two awards at the May 17th Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Billboard

Since the release of “All About That Bass” in late June 2014, Meghan Trainor has had a year of whirlwind success. She earned two Billboard Music Awards, a Breakthrough Artist trophy from the Music Business Association (Music Biz), and today earned a nod from our MusicRow Awards.

Prior to accepting her first-ever trophy in Nashville on May 14 from Music Biz, she shared with MusicRow the valuable lessons she’s put in to practice while working on new music.

The 21-year-old sensation has roots in Music City, thanks to a publishing deal secured just out of high school with Nashville’s Big Yellow Dog.

“Nashville was the first place that opened their arms to me and let me write,” said Trainor at the Music Biz luncheon. “I wouldn’t be on this stage without my second mom, [Big Yellow Dog’s] Carla Wallace. She signed me when I was a baby deciding whether or not I was going to college.

“It’s hard to be a songwriter and an artist,” Trainor told MusicRow. “With this crazy life I haven’t had time to write. I’ve written maybe three songs since the album was released, which is unusual because it was around three songs a week. I definitely miss the writing room.

“As a songwriter I would wake up at 10 a.m., go in at noon to write a song for a couple hours, and go home. Now I’m the artist and wake up at 8 a.m. to do glam, go to cool events and take a bunch of pictures.

“When your world it thrown upside down you have to learn how to adjust everything. Ryan Tedder told me you’ve gotta write on the road.”

As far as new music, Trainor says she has blocked out a few months in her schedule for studio time with Kevin Kadish, who produced over 70 percent of her debut album and contributed writing credits to over 60 percent of it.

“Kevin is one of the first people that said ‘you should be the artist,’” continued Trainor. “He truly believed in me. He did a bunch of these songs before I even had a deal with Epic Records, so I’m definitely going to go back and work with him.”

Kadish signed with Sony/ATV last year while Trainor continues to work with Big Yellow Dog.