Natalie Hemby

Natalie Hemby is an American country music songwriter and singer, best known as a member of the supergroup The Highwomen and a two-time Grammy winner. She is one of the most respected songwriters in country music, crafting hits for Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, and Kacey Musgraves. Her work on the A Star Is Born soundtrack, co-writing Lady Gaga's "I'll Never Love Again" and "Always Remember Us This Way," earned her a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media in 2020. She followed that with a second Grammy in 2023 for Best Country Song for Zach Bryan's "I Remember Everything" featuring Musgraves. In 2019, she joined Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and Maren Morris in The Highwomen, whose self-titled debut album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. As a solo artist, Hemby has released two studio albums, Puxico (2017) and Fault Lines (2021). Fans admire Hemby for her sharp, heartfelt storytelling and her down-to-earth presence. She continues to write for major country artists and is working on her third solo album as of 2026. The Highwomen have teased new music and potential tour dates for 2026.[edit]

Natalie Nicole Hemby Wrucke was born on March 24, 1977, in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was also raised. Her childhood unfolded in an environment steeped in music, a natural consequence of growing up in the heart of Music City. Her father played in a band, and her mother worked as a schoolteacher, ensuring a stable home life that also fostered her creative inclinations. From an early age, Hemby was exposed to the country legends her parents admired, which profoundly shaped her musical palate.

By the age of 12, Hemby began to channel these influences into her own songwriting. Her passion for crafting lyrics and melodies solidified through her teenage years, leading her to graduate from Brentwood High School in 1995. Following high school, she briefly enrolled at Belmont University, pursuing a degree in music business. However, her dedication to the craft of songwriting ultimately led her to leave formal education to fully immerse herself in her artistic calling.

In the initial stages of her career, Hemby gained valuable experience working as a waitress at the iconic Bluebird Cafe, a renowned Nashville club where she would later have the unique experience of seeing her own songs performed. Her persistence paid off in her early twenties when she secured her first significant professional opportunity, signing a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing. This deal marked a crucial step, leading to her first major cut in 2001 with "These Are The Days," recorded by Carolyn Dawn Johnson. However, the true turning point in her career arrived in 2009 when she co-wrote "White Liar" for Miranda Lambert. The song quickly became a smash hit, firmly establishing Hemby's reputation as a highly sought-after Nashville songwriter. "White Liar" garnered significant acclaim, earning her an Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year in 2010 and a Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year in the same year. She also received multiple BMI Country Awards for the success of "White Liar."[edit]

After "White Liar" established her, Hemby co-wrote Little Big Town's "Tornado" (2012) and Blake Shelton's "Sure Be Cool If You Did" (2013), both chart-toppers. In 2017, she released her debut solo album Puxico on her own label GetWrucke Productions. The following year, Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson brought her to Los Angeles for a writing session that produced two songs for the A Star Is Born soundtrack: "Always Remember Us This Way" and "I'll Never Love Again." The latter won a Grammy in 2020. Hemby joined The Highwomen in 2019, and the group's self-titled debut album arrived that September, debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart. She won her second Grammy in 2023 for co-writing "I Remember Everything" by Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves. She released her second solo album Fault Lines in 2021. As of 2026, she is working on her third solo album and continues to write for top country artists. The Highwomen performed at various festivals including Stagecoach in 2024. Hemby was named Songwriter of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International in 2019 and was featured in a Grammy Museum exhibit on songwriting in 2022. Billboard included her in its "Top 10 Country Songwriters of the 2010s" list in 2019, and Rolling Stone named her among "10 New Country Artists You Need to Know" in 2017 as a solo artist.[edit]

Hemby is known for her down-to-earth, relatable image. She typically wears casual country-style clothing, denim, boots, and simple tops, and minimal makeup. The media consistently portrays her as one of Nashville's most respected behind-the-scenes songwriters, often highlighting her humility and work ethic. Her social media voice is warm, personal, and family-focused. Fans connect with her authentic storytelling and the way she shares glimpses of her songwriting process and home life. She has appeared on magazine covers including American Songwriter (January/February 2019) and Nashville Lifestyles (September 2019). Her fandom consists of country music enthusiasts who appreciate songwriting craft. She has approximately 85,000 Instagram followers, 45,000 Twitter/X followers, 60,000 Facebook followers, and 10,000 YouTube subscribers.[edit]

Natalie Hemby's audience is the quiet backbone of country music, a legion of listeners who recognize her name in the liner notes rather than on the marquee. Unlike pop stars with organized armies or specific monikers, her fanbase remains an organic extension of the broader country community. These are people who track lyric sheets, attend listening parties for The Highwomen, and share snippets of her garden on social media without a unified battle cry or official club name. There are no documented fan-funded campaigns, subway ads, or viral chart manipulations driven by a distinct group bearing her name. Her connection to fans is built on the shared language of storytelling and the collective reverence for a songwriting craft that prioritizes authenticity over spectacle. While The Highwomen sparked conversations about shifting industry cultures, Hemby herself has never cultivated a separate mythology of crowds shutting down streets or fans fainting at her mere appearance. The narrative surrounding her remains grounded in professional respect and personal growth, from her solo debut to her role as a mother learning to say no. Despite her two Grammy wins and a career spanning major hits for legends like Lady Gaga and Zach Bryan, she operates with a humility that keeps her fame steady but unglamorous. She is not currently ranked in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list within the iFANN system. Natalie Hemby is currently evaluated as Unranked by the iFANN Global Fame Engine, meaning she holds no placement in the published rankings.[edit]

Natalie Hemby's debut solo album, Puxico, takes its title from a small Missouri town where her family traces its roots. A microphone tattoo adorns her wrist, a permanent reminder of her primary calling. She co-wrote Lady Gaga's "Always Remember Us This Way" alongside Mark Ronson in a single day. An avid gardener, she frequently shares updates on her vegetable patch with followers. Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, she maintains a casual style defined by denim, boots, and minimal makeup. Her approach to creativity is deeply personal; she once noted that songwriting feels like therapy, driven by what she has lived and felt. Joining forces with Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and Maren Morris in The Highwomen marked a career highlight she describes as an honor among sisters. She often reflects that while she never planned to be a performer, life steered her toward the stage anyway. The formation of The Highwomen in 2019 stands as a pivotal moment in music history, challenging male-dominated narratives in the genre. Their live album, Live at The Gorge 2023, released in June 2026, further cemented their legacy. A reunion for new material was announced by Shires in September 2025, proving the group's enduring bond.[edit]

Hemby was born on March 24, 1977, in Nashville, Tennessee, to a musician father and a schoolteacher mother. She has one sister. She married Mike Wrucke, a musician and producer, in 2015. The couple lives in Nashville with their two children: a son born in 2017 and a daughter born in 2019. Wrucke produces Hemby's solo albums and plays guitar on them.[edit]

Natalie Hemby has collaborated extensively with Miranda Lambert, co-writing hits like 'White Liar.' She is a core member of The Highwomen alongside Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and Maren Morris. She co-wrote songs for the 'A Star Is Born' soundtrack with Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson, and co-wrote 'I Remember Everything' with Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves. Her husband, Mike Wrucke, produces her solo albums.[edit]

Hemby married musician and producer Mike Wrucke in 2015. The couple met through mutual friends in the Nashville music scene. They have two children together: a son born in 2017 and a daughter born in 2019. Wrucke produces Hemby's solo albums and plays guitar on them. As of 2026, they remain married and living in Nashville.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Natalie Hemby's net worth stands at $5 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects the steady accumulation of wealth driven by her prolific songwriting career and diverse musical ventures. Primary revenue streams include substantial songwriting royalties generated through radio play, streaming services, and sync licensing deals. Publishing agreements with EMI Music Publishing and other entities provide consistent financial backing for her extensive catalog. Income also flows from solo album sales and streaming performance, alongside earnings from The Highwomen's record sales, touring circuits, and merchandise. Performance royalties from live appearances and production credits on her own projects round out her financial portfolio. Her assets have grown consistently since her first major hit in 2009, with notable increases following her Grammy victories in 2020 and 2023.[edit]

Hemby has won two Grammy Awards: Best Song Written for Visual Media in 2020 for 'I'll Never Love Again' and Best Country Song in 2023 for 'I Remember Everything.' She also won the Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year in 2010 and the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year in 2010, both for 'White Liar.' She has received multiple BMI Country Awards.[edit]