Welcome to another episode of Biscuits and Jam from Southern Living. I'm Sid Evans,

editor-in-chief of Southern Living magazine. We've recorded these episodes as we've all sheltered at home,

and between passionate conversations about Southern food, you'll also hear honest takes about

how these cultural icons have been dealing with the pandemic.

This week's guest says her Lone Star State upbringing is part of her culinary DNA, even if she's not the most disciplined cook.

I don't know if I have the patience, but I love to eat. I love food. I mean, Texans, you know, we love,

we love food. I can make biscuits and I can make pies and cakes and chicken fried steak.

Some people would think that was a real culinary experience, I'm sure, but for me, it just seems like,

yeah, that's just what we have.

Leon Womack is known as one of the biggest names in country and Americana music.

Born and raised in East Texas, Leanne came to Nashville to attend college and intern at MCA Records,

releasing her first album in 1997. Her fame exploded in the year 2000 with her hit album and single,

I Hope You Dance, leading to several CMA and ACM award wins. Her latest release,

2017's The Lonely, the Lonesome, and the Gone also earned two Grammy nominations.

On today's show, we'll hear how the success of I Hope You Dance catapulted Leanne's career

and the deep meaning the song has had to millions across the world.

People associate that song with these life-changing moments.

Most singers don't get to be a part of people's lives in that way.

And there was all these different versions and all these different languages, and the song

was just so huge.

And it was a little bit difficult for me to handle in the beginning, but I did sort of grow into it.

And I'm very, very, very thankful for the song.

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