“Something In That Saddle” blends modern country storytelling with a timeless heartbreak narrative, showcasing Hughes’s powerful vocals and emotionally driven songwriting. The song captures the poignant struggle of loving someone whose heart belongs to the open road. While the imagery centers on a cowboy brought back to life in the saddle, the story speaks to a universal truth — sometimes, no matter how much love, sacrifice, or devotion you give, it may still not be enough to make someone stay.

Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Hughes has steadily built a reputation for powerful vocals and emotionally driven songwriting. Since releasing her debut single “Good Taste” in 2020, she has continued to gain momentum with releases including “Prayin’ to the Whiskey,” “High on Something,” and the award-winning “Jesus and Jail.” Her 2025 single “Old Fashioned You” further expanded her reach with radio airplay and introduced her sound to new audiences.

A multi-year Lexington Music Award recipient and 2024 Josie Music Award winner for Southern Rock/Country Rock Female Vocalist of the Year, Hughes is also a member of the Country Music Association. Her songwriting extends beyond her own catalog, including a feature on Whey Jennings’ debut album Jekyll & Hyde with “Girl On A Fast Horse,” a SiriusXM track later highlighted by Forbes. She has shared the stage with Chase Rice, Riley Green, Uncle Kracker, Alexandra Kay, and more, delivering performances marked by vocal power and commanding presence.

For more information and to see her upcoming tour dates, visit taylorhughesmusic.com and follow her on social media @taylorhughesmusic.

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There’s an old saying that the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Often used for overwhelming seasons of life, it reminds us that even the most significant transitions can be managed thoughtfully and steadily. For Amy Montgomery, that idea has become both philosophy and practice.

For four years, customers and friends have walked into Amy Montgomery Home in Columbia, Tennessee, greeted by warmth, southern charm and hospitality, and beautifully curated pieces for entertaining and home goods. This January, she closed the shop and pivoted back to her roots in interior design.

While she focused on retail, Montgomery intentionally paused taking design clients. Now, she’s returning to the work she has loved for more than three decades: helping people see what a space can become. “I’ve never stopped being a designer. I just stopped saying yes for a while.” The pause wasn’t an ending; it was a deep breath to a new beginning.

Her design career began organically in the early 1990s, when word of mouth was everything. Montgomery loved to invite people into her home and entertained often. Guests visited her West Nashville home and left inspired, often asking for help recreating the warmth and balance they experienced there. These guests left saying the same thing, “Whatever this is, I want it.” Then, somewhere between dinner parties and conversations over coffee, design requests began to pile up. Bookshelves and living rooms soon grew into full-home projects.

Early opportunities came with challenges: staging homes on tight budgets, selecting finishes for stalled builder projects, and transforming uninspired spaces into inviting ones. The results spoke for themselves — homes sold, clients returned, and referrals multiplied. “I designed things that made sense,” said Montgomery, and practical, honest design quickly became her signature.

When she moved to Columbia and opened her shop, it wasn’t part of a master plan. The transition was difficult at first. Life felt unfamiliar, but something unexpected happened: people lingered. They talked. They shared life’s milestones, celebrations, losses, and everyday moments. Montgomery took great pleasure in helping her customers one-on-one.

Just like that, Columbia was home. The shop became a gathering place. “There’s not a day that goes by that someone in Columbia doesn’t check on me,” Montgomery said. “You don’t leave a place like that.” Though the storefront has closed, the relationships remain. She continues her involvement in community events, including the Maury County Benefit Ball, the Polk Home, and The Polk Ball, carrying forward the connections that matter most.

As her professional life evolved, so did her personal life. Montgomery navigated divorce with intention and reflection. “There’s no blueprint for life after divorce, but redesigning your life is possible, one thoughtful decision at a time.”

Rather than viewing the change as loss, she approached it as refinement. “I was still me — just a different, happier me.” Balance became central: balance in work, relationships, and personal well-being. Daily walks, mindful meals, quiet mornings, and deepened friendships became foundational rather than optional.

Divorce changes the relationship status and rearranges the architecture of life. It isn’t about erasing the past or starting from scratch. It’s about meeting yourself where you are and moving forward with intention. “Over and over, friends and strangers have commented that I am glowing, my smile is brighter,” Montgomery said. “Yes, I think that what you feel inside definitely reflects how you are feeling emotionally, spiritually, and physically.”

The art of presence is equally important to Montgomery. “Dressing with intention and leaving the house composed even on ordinary days is a quiet declaration of self-respect and can easily raise my mood. I show respect for myself and my surroundings by choosing to dress mindfully. I think a woman who moves through the world with a little polish is dignified, poised, and quietly confident.”

Equally important has been community. Letters, notes, and gestures of kindness from friends became tangible reminders of support. “Strength isn’t measured by solitude alone,” she said. “It’s measured by the wisdom to reach out.” Those expressions of care reinforced her faith, which she says has been refined rather than diminished. “Divorce has not weakened my faith; it has deepened it.”

Today, Montgomery is stepping back into design not as reinvention, but as a return. Her approach remains consistent: take something that isn’t working and shape it into what it should be. That philosophy also extends to hosting flower tutorials again in her Columbia home. She has created a welcoming home that reflects her signature warmth. Built-in bookshelves anchor a thoughtfully designed library. A refreshed kitchen supports her love of cooking and entertaining. Family antiques hold places of honor. “Nothing has to be finished to be meaningful,” she said. “You just start.”

Beginning in March, she will host intimate private gatherings in her home; dinners, floral workshops, pop-ups with guest artists, and brunches centered around conversation and the art of hospitality. Evenings will begin with appetizers in the library, followed by shared meals and discussions about entertaining and design. “It’s what I’ve always done,” she said. “Just more intentional.”

She has also launched a refreshed website, featuring longtime collaborators who are picking up where she left off and updating it to reflect where she is headed. Her designer pillow line was re-launched in July. The locally made pillows will be available exclusively at her Nashville shop, Gas Lamp, Too, and are made with materials sourced in the United States. The pillow collection reflects her belief that beauty should feel welcoming and lived-in.

Alongside her product offerings, she consults on renovations and new builds, guiding homeowners and realtors in thoughtfully elevating spaces. Most recently, she has partnered on a new home build in Williamson County and will be showcasing a behind-the-scenes look at creating a luxe home from the ground up.

This design is about presence — about showing up with clarity, confidence, and gratitude. It’s about honoring the past while embracing what’s ahead. “There’s freedom in starting again, and power in knowing who you are,” Montgomery concluded.

And so, the elephant is tackled. Slowly. Purposefully. With intention and at a beautifully set table.

AMY MONTGOMERY has over 25 years of design experience and is the owner of Amy Montgomery Home, located in Nashville. Her Columbia design studio is available by appointment only at (931) 982-4988. Montgomery’s curated collection of entertaining essentials is available online, along with a selection of her many design services and a calendar of events. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com to learn more.

The post Setting the Table for What’s Next in Life appeared first on Williamson County Living.

In a world where leadership is constantly tested by change, pressure, and uncertainty, Lee Pepper has built a reputation for meeting every challenge head-on. In his book Never Outmatched, he shares the mindset, discipline, and lived experiences that have shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and marketing.

Pepper resides in Williamson County and is an Army veteran and seasoned C-suite executive with more than 25 years of experience in marketing and leadership. As a former Army Armor Officer, responsible for strategically directing tanks and heavy armored units to achieve maximum effect, he has held CIO and CMO roles in the healthcare sector, helping scale organizations to more than $1.5 billion.

In January, I had the opportunity to hear Pepper speak at the Skal International Nashville luncheon, where he shared his hard-won insights to empower others to navigate challenges, grow confidently, and succeed in their own daily battles in the business world. I hope you enjoy this Q&A as Pepper dives into the lessons behind his book and the principles he believes can help anyone show up stronger—both personally and professionally. I also strongly encourage each of you to read his book to learn more about the 12 strategies he discusses in Never Outmatched. It is worth the read!

1. When did you know you wanted to write your book, Never Outmatched, and what was the main inspiration leading you to write it? 

I trace my inspiration back 15 years, when I was asked to present at our private equity sponsors’ conference of portfolio companies. That experience could have been derailed if I had not stood my ground on the data I was sharing and my style of presentation.  I realized that so many young leaders get overwhelmed by bureaucracy and the status quo, so I wanted to share the strategies I learned early in my service.

2. Give our readers a high-level overview of what they can expect to learn about blending marketing with military strategies.

Two aspects of my book come to mind. First, some companies jump from tactic to tactic because the modern social media platforms are easy to navigate, but difficult to build a return on the investment. So, we are always chasing performance. Start with the strategy and those platforms may be appropriate, but they also might now be part of your marketing strategy, don’t let fear of missing out dictate your approach.  Secondly, is commander’s intent. I love working with millennials, Gen Z, and now Gen Alpha. I don’t micromanage, and I serve to remove bureaucracy so they can innovate. Give them your commander’s intent and let them execute the mission.

3. In the modern-day marketing battlefield, what is your number one piece of advice to small businesses?

Force Multiplication! You are already spending time and money on pieces of content like a blog post, photos, social media, or print. You need to force multiply that content across as many platforms as dictated by your initial strategy. You’ve already done the hard work and spent the dollars, now multiply it to further your reach. Don’t wait for your customers to find you, go engage with them.

4. You reference many quotes throughout the book. What are two quotes, one military and one not, that resonate the most with you? 

“Success in war depends on the golden rules of war: Speed, simplicity, and boldness.” — General George Patton.

“Some leaders stick their heads in the sand and claim they are in a sandstorm.” — Noah benShea.

5. Your book is a wealth of information. What message do you hope readers take away after reading it?

Your success is within you; it is at your fingertips. It will require research, practice, mentorship, and decisions. Your leaders, the Board of Directors, and the C-Suite hired you; the pressure can be high, but they are cheering hard for you to succeed!

6. Being a Franklin resident with a military background, how does the town’s history connect with you?

My father had a 26-year career in the Army. During one of his assignments, he taught Military Science at MTSU, so I grew up visiting battlefields. I passed this along to my two sons, taking them up to Winstead Hill and Fort Granger for explorations from an early age. We are fortunate that the active preservation continues with new markers and sections opening every year.

7. What’s next for you? Are there any other books in the works or new projects? 

I just finished my first TEDx talk in Ocala late last year, so presentations and speaking are keeping me busy. I do have a second book that I am working on, and I continue to consult in behavioral healthcare.

8. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

There are some amazing authors in Williamson and Maury County, and we still have bookstores! With all the disruptions caused by screens in our youth these days, give a young person a book and highlight or write something in the book to spark their interest!

Follow Peper on social media @theleepepper. Find his book Never Outmatched both in physical and e-book/audiobook formats online and at local retailers, so you too can learn to lead, innovate, and win.

The post Q & A with Lee Pepper appeared first on Williamson County Living.

The catchy single tells the tale of a singer reflecting on past romances that didn’t measure up—each one likened to a different drink. From Jack Daniels and PBR to overly complex concoctions, it becomes clear that nothing beats the simplicity, charm, and timeless appeal of an old fashioned. With its infectious rhythm, clever lyrics, and undeniable energy, “Old Fashioned You” reminds us that the best love—like the classic cocktail—is simple, smooth, and never goes out of style.

“This song is all about looking at past relationships through a fun and lighthearted lens,” said Hughes. “Sometimes we get caught up in all the complicated versions of love, but the truth is, the best love is the kind that’s simple and classic. And just like an old fashioned, it’s the best choice.”

Music lovers can expect an electrifying mix of country flair, clever lyrics, and a message that hits home for anyone who’s navigated love’s twists and turns through a bumpy relationship. Whether you’re reminiscing about the past or embracing the beauty of the simplicity of true love and romance, “Old Fashioned You” will have you dancing, laughing, and maybe even rethinking your choices in love.

Hughes isn’t your average country musician. As a country artist and songwriter, she blends southern rock and blues influences with a bold, soulful, and unmistakably sassy sound that commands attention. A Lexington, Kentucky native, Hughes now calls Spring Hill, Tennessee home, where she has been making waves in the music scene. Award-winning gospel singer and vocal coach Christy Sutherland describes her voice as “rich chocolate cake with soul.” At the same time, The Tennessee Star magazine has dubbed her “country music’s answer to Adele.”

Last year was an incredible year for Hughes. She kicked off 2024 by being named Female Vocalist of the Year at the 10th annual Lexi Music Awards in Kentucky, where her song “Jesus and Jail” also took home Song of the Year. Hughes continued her winning streak with two nominations at the 2024 Josie Music Awards, held at the Grand Ole Opry, where she was honored as the Southern Rock/Country Rock Female Vocalist of the Year. Adding to her list of achievements, Hughes secured her first song cut of the year on Whey Jennings’ highly anticipated debut album, Jekyll & Hyde. The track, released as a single, gained traction on Sirius XM radio and was even selected for an official music video. Hughes continues to make serious waves in the country music scene and has no plans of stopping in 2025.

“Old Fashioned You” is available on all streaming platforms. Stay connected with Hughes on social media at @taylorhughesmusic for exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Visit taylorhughesmusic.com for tour updates, sip, dance, and celebrate the joy of classic love with “Old Fashioned You!”

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