MŌRIAH: Hasta Mañana, Mexican Heritage & CMA Fest 2025

On this episode of Heart of the Gulch, host Tony Mendoza sits down with singer-songwriter MŌRIAH during CMA Fest 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

One of the most exciting emerging voices in country music, MŌRIAH is helping redefine the genre by blending traditional country storytelling with the rich musical traditions of her Mexican heritage. Following the release of her bilingual debut single Hasta Mañana, MŌRIAH has earned recognition from Billboard, MusicRow, and The Tennessean as an artist bringing fresh cultural perspectives to Nashville.

In this interview, MŌRIAH shares the inspiration behind Hasta Mañana and explains why incorporating Spanish lyrics, mariachi influences, and authentic family traditions into her music has become central to her artistic identity. She discusses how honoring her heritage allows her to create music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Tony and MŌRIAH also explore the importance of Latino representation in country music, diversity in Nashville songwriting rooms, and why authentic voices are helping shape the future of the genre. The conversation highlights the opportunities and challenges of introducing new cultural influences into country music while remaining rooted in the genre's storytelling traditions.

Growing up in Los Angeles before moving to Nashville, MŌRIAH reflects on carrying her family's legacy into every performance and creating opportunities for future generations of Hispanic and Latina artists. She also discusses balancing music with opportunities in film and entertainment while continuing to build her career in country music.

As country music continues to evolve, MŌRIAH is proving that authenticity, culture, and powerful songwriting have the ability to bring new audiences into the genre while honoring its traditions.

If you enjoy country music, Latina country artists, Mexican American musicians, bilingual country music, Nashville singer-songwriters, CMA Fest, Hispanic representation in country music, and authentic artist conversations, this interview is one you won't want to miss.

About Tony Mendoza

Tony Mendoza is a Nashville-based media personality, television host, executive producer, journalist, podcast host, and digital strategist best known as the creator and host of Heart of the Gulch. Through hundreds of in-depth interviews with country music artists, entertainers, and industry leaders, Tony has become recognized for spotlighting both established stars and emerging voices shaping the future of country music.

His work spans major industry events including CMA Fest, Country Radio Seminar (CRS), AmericanaFest, and exclusive Nashville studio sessions. As founder of Heart of the Gulch, Tony leads every aspect of production—from interviewing and storytelling to video production, editing, SEO strategy, and digital publishing—building one of Nashville's fastest-growing independent country music media platforms.

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