Full Breakdown
Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert End Decade-Long Feud with Duet on “Middle of Nowhere”
5/1/2026, 2:11:30 AM
Reconciliation on “Horses and Divorces”: Musgraves and Lambert’s New Duet
Kacey Musgraves’ seventh studio album, *Middle of Nowhere*, arrives on May 1, 2024, featuring the duet “Horses and Divorces” with fellow Texan Miranda Lambert. The track marks the first recorded collaboration between the two Grammy-winning country artists after years of publicly acknowledged tension.
Background: A Decade-Long Feud Over “Mama’s Broken Heart”
The discord traces to 2011, when Musgraves co-wrote “Mama’s Broken Heart” with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. The song was later pitched to Lambert without Musgraves’ knowledge, and Lambert recorded it for her 2013 album *Four the Record*. Musgraves has described the episode as a “tricky situation” that left both artists feeling unsettled.
Key Figures: Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves, 37, emerged in 2013 with the debut *Same Trailer Different Park* and earned an Album of the Year Grammy for 2018’s *Golden Hour*. Miranda Lambert, 42, is a multiple-time CMA and Grammy winner known for hits such as “Mama’s Broken Heart” and “The House That Built Me.” Both are celebrated for blending traditional country with contemporary influences.
Timeline of the Conflict and Collaboration
- 2011 – Musgraves co-writes “Mama’s Broken Heart.”
- 2013 – Lambert releases the song on *Four the Record*, achieving a top-10 Billboard Country Airplay placement.
- 2023 – 2024 – Musgraves confirms past “grass-fed, grade A” beef in a Variety interview and proposes a duet after seeing Lambert on Instagram.
- May 1, 2024 – *Middle of Nowhere* releases, featuring “Horses and Divorces.”
Official Statements & Responses
Musgraves told Variety that the feud was “real” and that the duet’s authenticity stems from “not coming from some contrived place in a writing room.” She added that the writing session felt “very full circle” and allowed both artists to “air out any of the old laundry.” Lambert’s representatives were not reached for comment; however, Lambert has hinted at upcoming music via a new website redirect.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was grass-fed, grade A,” — Kacey Musgraves, singer-songwriter
- “I mean, it’s real and that’s why I love this song, because it’s not coming from some contrived place in a writing room,” — Kacey Musgraves
- “ “We’ve come together after years of really, honestly, not being friends.” — Kacey Musgraves
- “I had this idea one day when I saw her on Instagram, riding one of her horses, and I thought, ‘Well, I guess we have two things in common: horses and divorces.' And I was like, ‘Wait, that's a song.'” — Kacey Musgraves
- “In our writing session, Miranda said, ‘Hey, I wouldn’t have the career that I have without [“Mama’s Broken Heart”], and I’m really grateful for it,’” Musgraves recalled.” — Kacey Musgraves (quoting Lambert)
What’s Next
*Middle of Nowhere* will debut on May 1, positioning “Horses and Divorces” as a lead single. Lambert’s website now redirects to countryanddisco.com, suggesting a forthcoming release that could build on the renewed partnership. Both artists have indicated that the collaboration reflects a broader willingness to move beyond past grievances.
