Lyla Rae Hightower

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. I remember riding in the front seat of an old pickup—watching the road slide under us like it had somewhere better to be. Country stations faded in and out. Voices sounded tired but honest. Songs about leaving, staying, messing it up, trying again. What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels On a Gravel Road Townes Van Zandt, Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas I chose these three because they taught me that restraint, honesty, and atmosphere can carry more weight than polish or volume ever could. Together, they showed me that the best music doesn’t try to impress—it tells the truth Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “It's a Good Way Home” It is special to me because it’s the first time I stopped writing about leaving and let myself write about what stays. It’s not a destination song—it’s about choosing the road that finally feels honest, even if it takes a while to recognize it. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? One of the most memorable moments in my career was realizing a song I wrote had become someone else’s companion on a long drive or a hard night. When music stops being yours and starts belonging to someone else, you know you’ve done something right. Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? I’d love other artists to take these songs on the road the slow way—small rooms, real listening, no rush. Not to check a box, but to see where the music still wants to go.