Mary Gauthier’s hard-hitting songwriting has inspired generations of artists. The alt-country darling’s words cut deep, bringing buried emotions to the surface, while her soft melodies serve as a comforting salve. It’s why country stars like Blake Shelton like to cover her songs (like the evocative “I Drink”) or—if they’re lucky—write alongside her, like Sam Williams for his wistful Dolly Parton duet “Happy All The Time”.