Nashville Raised Her. Now the Opry Is Calling. | Lauren Watkins
Lauren Watkins grew up in Nashville with the Grand Ole Opry sitting at the top of her bucket list.
Then Zach Top surprised her onstage with the invitation she'd been waiting for.
When Lauren joined Heart of the Gulch during CMA Fest 2025, her Opry debut was just weeks away, her debut album The Heartbroken Record had established her as one of Nashville's most compelling young songwriters, and another major year on the road was underway.
Lauren Watkins during her Heart of the Gulch interview at CMA Fest in Nashville.
Inside Lauren Watkins’ Heart of the Gulch Interview
Welcome to Heart of the Gulch, a Nashville-based interview show and country music platform featuring artists, singer-songwriters and personalities shaping music and entertainment. Host and creator Tony Mendoza sat down with Lauren Watkins during CMA Fest to discuss The Heartbroken Record, “I’ll Get Through It,” her upcoming Grand Ole Opry debut and life on the road.
17 Songs of Heartbreak
Lauren didn't hold much back on The Heartbroken Record.
The 17-track debut was entirely co-written by Lauren and featured collaborations with Sheryl Crow, Ashley Monroe, Jake Worthington and Carter Faith. At its center was the kind of direct, sometimes messy songwriting that was quickly becoming her signature.
Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza interviewing Lauren Watkins during CMA Fest.
During our conversation, Lauren opened up about turning personal experiences into songs and why heartbreak continues to give her so much to write about.
The Opry Call She Always Wanted
Lauren's upcoming Grand Ole Opry debut carried extra weight because Nashville wasn't simply where she moved to chase music.
It's home.
While touring with Zach Top, Lauren joined him onstage for Barbara Mandrell's “I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool.” That's when Zach surprised her with an invitation to make her Opry debut on June 20, 2025.
Lauren Watkins discussing her debut album The Heartbroken Record.
For someone who grew up attending the Opry, the moment was understandably surreal.
Built for Bigger Stages
By CMA Fest, Lauren had already opened international stadium dates for Morgan Wallen and was continuing a heavy touring schedule alongside artists including Riley Green, Zach Top and Lainey Wilson.
Her CMA Fest Chevy Vibes Stage appearance represented another home-state milestone — only this time, Lauren wasn't watching Nashville's country music scene.
She was becoming part of it.
Watch Lauren Watkins on Heart of the Gulch
Watch our full conversation with Lauren Watkins as she discusses The Heartbroken Record, “I’ll Get Through It,” her Grand Ole Opry debut, songwriting and touring with some of country music's biggest names.
Tony Mendoza is the Nashville-based host and creator of Heart of the Gulch, featuring conversations with country artists, singer-songwriters and personalities from Nashville and beyond.
