Maren Morris' departure from country music has sparked a range of reactions among the people of Nashville. While some praised her decision, others expressed their relief at her exit from the genre. The controversy stems from Morris' comments in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, where she attributed the toxicity in country music to the "Trump years." According to Morris, this period allowed people to openly celebrate misogynistic, racist, homophobic, and transphobic behavior, which she believes was oddly aligned with a hyper-masculine branch of country music that she refers to as "butt rock."

In response to Morris' remarks, Eddie, a Nashville resident, expressed his support for her departure, stating, "I say good riddance to her as far as I'm concerned." On the other hand, Mikayla commended Morris for standing up for what she believes in, saying, "Good for her, honestly." She admires Morris for not succumbing to backlash and standing firm in her convictions.

However, not everyone in Nashville agrees with Morris' characterization of country music. Mike, another resident, defended the genre, stating, "I like country music. I don't see where any of that misogyny has seeped in there. Music is music." He believes that Morris has the right to pursue her own path and acknowledges the freedom she has to do so in the country.

The controversy extends beyond Morris' departure from country music. She also criticized artists like Jason Aldean for using their music as a "toxic weapon in culture wars." Specifically, she accused Aldean's hit song "Try That in a Small Town" of being streamed by people out of spite and to "own the libs," rather than out of genuine love for the music. The song's music video, which featured footage of Black Lives Matter riots, drew criticism for its alleged racial undertones.

In response to these criticisms, Jim and Rachel expressed their disagreement with Morris. Jim dismissed her perspective as part of the “woke” culture, stating, "Everything's turning woke, and this is just another example of woke. It's not right." Rachel, on the other hand, believed that Morris' departure would not have a significant impact on country music. She predicted that although Morris may not attend award shows, she will continue to have a country vibe in her music.

Some locals disagreed with Morris' claim that she was ever a country artist to begin with. A drummer playing on Broadway asserted that her music was more aligned with pop, rather than country. He compared her to Taylor Swift, suggesting that her transition would likely be successful, just like Swift's shift from country to pop.

Freelance writer and music commentator Kyle 'Trigger' Coroneos offered his perspective on Morris' departure from country music, highlighting that it may be influenced by her interactions on social media. Coroneos suggested that country artists in the mainstream typically avoid being politically divisive in order to appeal to a broader audience. He also criticized Morris and others for constantly berating people for their beliefs, which he believes has led to a weariness among audiences. Coroneos stated, "They just don't want someone preaching to them about how they're supposed to think and what they're supposed to do."

Coroneos further disagreed with Morris' prediction that her departure would impact country music. He argued that Morris has an outsized presence in the media, but her exit may have the unintended consequence of pushing country music further towards right-leaning politics. Coroneos stated, "if anything, it will help lend to country music being more of a right-leaning format in regards to politics."

Overall, Morris' departure from country music has stirred up a range of opinions among the people of Nashville. While some support her decision and admire her convictions, others disagree with her characterization of the genre and believe she is making a mistake. Only time will tell how Morris' transition will impact the country music scene.