Central Texas singer-songwriter Trannie Anderson celebrates a decade of success in Nashville music scene

McGREGOR, Texas (KWTX) - An Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association nominated songwriter is celebrating 10 years since packing up her truck in Waco and moving to Nashville with a big dream that’s playing out as some of the hottest musicians - from Lainey Wilson to Morgan Wallen - record her songs.

McGregor native Trannie Anderson graduated Midway in 2011 and Baylor in 2015 said the last decade has been a fast and furious dream come true.

“I’ve had over 85 major label cuts since I’ve lived here in Nashville and songwriting has been my first love since I was a little kid and it’s so beautiful to watch the Lord orchestrate from then to now,” Anderson told KWTX.

Trannie is known for her knack for poetic lyrics and authentic storytelling.

She is a go-to collaborator on Music Row and her songs have ben released by artists including Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Nate Smith, Ella Langley and Reba McEntire.

Trannie was named Music Row’s “Breakthrough Songwriter of 2023.”

Trannie’s biggest hits have come alongside her work with Lainey Wilson, a now superstar she met back in a coffee shop when both were starting out.

Trannie co-wrote 14 songs on Lainey Wilson’s Grammy Award winning “Bell Bottom Country” and “Whirlwind” records, including the #1 hits “Heart Like a Truck “ and “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”

“Heart Like a Truck” was named song of the year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International and iHeartRadio.

The songs have ben featured in national ad campaigns for Dodge Ram, Ford and Wrangler.

Trannie is currently enjoying the successes of Wilson’s latest single “Somewhere Over Laredo,” a song with a nod to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which Anderson calls “one of the greatest songs every written.”

Trannie sings background vocals on the song which she wrote alongside Lainey Wilson, Andy Albert and Dallas Wilson last year in September on her birthday.

Lainey recently performed “Somewhere Over Laredo” on the American Music Awards on CBS and the video was released last week.

“I don’t think we knew how special it was when we wrote it but it was really amazing to write it in Montana when Lainey was on tour and we were out there with her and the first time we listened back to it was that night when we were flying back to Nashville and we were flying somewhere over Idaho when we got to hear it back for the first time,” Trannie said. ”But, I think all of us knew there was something very special about it.”

Trannie said she’s loved to write since she was a little girl and credits her parents, Bill and Kyle Stevens, of McGregor, for always supporting her dream.

“That love and obsession for songwriting and storytelling led to starting bands, and record EP’S and taking Nashville trips before I ever had a driver’s license,” Trannie said.

While “Somewhere Over Laredo” continues to climb the charts, Trannie is wasting no time getting back to songwriting.

She’s currently working with Lainey Wilson on her upcoming record.

The Waco native says if she can live out her dreams, anyone can.

“It’s just been such an honor to get to live this dream,” Trannie said. “So, if you’re growing up in Waco, Texas, and you want to be a songwriter, it can be done.”