IN THE SPOTLIGHT
legal battle with his label, Curb Records. The label sued him for breach of contract, claiming McGraw rushed the recording of his album “Emotional Traffic” to get out of his deal with Curb as soon as possible. In years prior, McGraw was vocal about wanting to leave the label.
McGraw didn’t discuss that drama at CRS, instead just hinting at a challenging situation. He explained that eventually, it motivated him to make major lifestyle changes.
“I wanted to control something, because I felt it was getting out of control, and I couldn’t control anything about all the things I worked so hard for,” McGraw said. “So I think the first thing I could grab and control was my physical well-being.”
The singer said his ensuing workout regimen (he worked out three times a day with a professional stuntman) had a “domino effect” that made him realize he didn’t want to give up on country music, and inspired him to get back in the game. While he was also motivated by wanting to be as healthy as possible for his wife, country star Faith Hill, and their three daughters, being in the best shape of his life helped him psychologically.
“That put me in a better mental state, and that put me in a better competitive state, and that put me in a better position to want to go try and want to work really hard,” McGraw said.
His refreshed mentality worked: McGraw signed with Big Machine Records in 2012, saw a string of hits over the last several years including his “Highway Don’t Care” duet with Taylor Swift in 2013; “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” which he sang with Hill in 2014; and “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools,” nominated for best country song at next week’s Grammy Awards.