Known for her impassioned lyrics and personal storytelling, Leanna Crawford is an artist to keep an eye on. After filming an exclusive performance of “Thank God,” she sat down with K-LOVE to describe the inspiration behind her upcoming sophomore record, which will be released under the same title on July 24, 2026 — the same day as her Grand Ole Opry debut.
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Crawford encountered music at a young age. The artist grew up on a farm, often spending long hours cleaning out the family's horse stalls. Though she enjoyed farm life, Crawford was also excited to become a part of the worship team at her family’s church in her teen years.
“I loved it,” she said. “I’d done musicals before that, so I’ve always loved singing. I was the kid who never stopped singing. In high school, I started to write songs.”
As she continued to write and perform, Crawford discovered songwriting was a healthy way to process life and articulate her dreams about the future. In 2016, God opened the door for her to move to Nashville. “I started to make trips back and forth between the northwest and Nashville to write songs,” she said.
In 2018, her move was finalized, though it would be several more years before the release of her first full-length debut album, “Still Waters,” in 2024.
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Her sophomore effort and its title track, “Thank God,” were partially inspired by this period.
“It’s been quite a journey,” Crawford emphasized. “I’m very, very grateful to be doing this. I definitely had a plan and a vision for how I thought it should go — and God’s plan has been better, for sure. ‘Thank God’ is a reflection of that season. It worked out so much better for me.”
“Thank God” is Crawford’s testimony put to music.
“I’m looking back now and saying, ‘Maybe that’s why that had to happen.’ God will always answer your prayers. It’s so easy for me to follow God when He answers the way I want him to. But He’s not a genie in a bottle. It might be yes. It might be no. It might be maybe or not yet. It’s OK to sit in that.”
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Rather than starting from scratch with her second album, Crawford wanted to build on the success of her first. “‘Still Waters’ was about the valley. “A lot of those songs were healing for me. I was very much in it,” she said, reflecting on her path. The second time around, Crawford pulled together the same themes of authenticity while giving herself permission to explore her story from a place of healing.
“My songwriting’s a little different,” Crawford concluded. “Sonically, there are more country vibes; more organic vibes. It’s really special.” The steel-pedal guitar makes an appearance, as does the piano and drums.
These days, Crawford is just enjoying the ride — no matter what each day holds. “I feel so blown away that I get to make music with my friends, and it’s exciting to add new songs to the set. I feel super grateful for that,” she said, smiling. “The goal is always gratitude.”
