Hemby makes her Opry debut

Hemby, who has penned hits for artists including Miranda Lambert, released her first disc in January, "Puxico," at the age of 39. The album was inspired by the annual homecoming celebrations of her grandfather's hometown of Puxico, Mo.

Hemby performed "Ferris Wheel" and "Worn" with her husband and "Puxico producer" Mike Wrucke on guitar. This was not the first Hemby has been on the Opry stage as her high school graduation was held on there.

Hemby joned songwriters for the opening of American Currents, the newest exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum last week. On display in the museum is a notebook of Hemby's with handwritten song ideas for Miranda Lambert and a wooden number one, hand carved by her grandfather to celebrate "White Liar" hitting number one on country charts.

=This summer, Hemby will open three shows on Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Soul2Soul tour: Aug. 24 in Fargo, N.D. and Aug. 25-26 in St. Paul, Minn.

Among songs written by Hemby are "White Liar," "Baggage Claim," "Only Prettier," "Automatic," all for Lambert, "Pontoon" and "Tornado" for Little Big Town" and "Downtown" for Lady Antebellum.