Brace yourself for a hilarious clash of cultures as country superstar Miranda Lambert and her New Yorker husband, Brendan McLoughlin, navigate the quirky nuances of their contrasting childhoods. Lambert, hailing from the small town of Lindale, Texas, and McLoughlin, a proud native of the Big Apple, have discovered plenty of surprises in their journey as a couple.
During a delightful episode of Southern Living’s Biscuits & Jam podcast, Lambert spills the beans on McLoughlin’s amusing observation that shed new light on her hometown. As they strolled through Lindale, McLoughlin couldn’t help but notice the plethora of churches dotting the landscape, prompting him to exclaim, “Why are there so many churches everywhere?!”
Little did Lambert know that the presence of 212 churches in Smith County, encompassing Lindale and the nearby city of Tyler, was anything out of the ordinary. With a chuckle, Lambert explains, “You know, the South. That’s just how it is. There’s a Baptist church on every corner.”
Churches held a significant role in Lambert’s upbringing, with memories of her early years spent attending a lively Pentecostal congregation before transitioning to a Baptist church upon moving to Lindale. Reflecting on those formative years, Lambert recalls, “I think I really learned how to sing, you know? Growing up with the Pentecostal — that’s all about the music, and the hairpins flying, raising hands in the air. I think that’s where I started to pick up harmonies and understand what that meant.”
Faith has been a pillar for Lambert, providing both guidance and strength as she pursued her dreams in the music industry. From singing in the youth group to performing in the choir, Lambert’s roots in the church fostered a deep connection to her craft. “It was a big part of what I built my foundation on,” she emphasizes. “And I think that having that small-town childhood with the living off the land, and survival skills that my dad had instilled, and then our faith as a family — I feel like that really carried me through those first crazy years of getting into the music business.”
Amidst the revelation of the abundance of churches, McLoughlin also stumbled upon another culinary surprise in Lambert’s Southern roots. Lambert cheekily shares, “He came to my mom’s. He’s like, ‘Why does everyone fry everything?'” Lambert embraces the indulgent delights of Southern cuisine, defending the fried delicacies by simply stating, “Because it’s good!”
As Lambert and McLoughlin continue their adventure together, their contrasting backgrounds continue to bring humor and a deeper understanding of their unique journeys. The clash of New York sophistication with Texas charm adds an extra layer of joy to their relationship, reminding us all that love knows no boundaries, not even cultural ones.
Prepare to embark on a wild ride filled with churches on every corner and mouthwatering fried creations as Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin redefine the meaning of “opposites attract” in the most entertaining way possible.