Broken Horses: A Memoir

Brandi Carlile, a singer-songwriter, producer, and six-time Grammy winner, shares her life story in this memoir. She was born into a musically gifted but impoverished family on the outskirts of Seattle and experienced frequent moves throughout her childhood—fourteen times in as many years. At age five, she contracted bacterial meningitis, which nearly claimed her life and profoundly affected her early years. As an openly gay teenager, Carlile faced conflict between her sexuality and faith when her pastor refused to baptize her during a scheduled ceremony. Her small town's supportive response helped set her on a different spiritual path through music. The memoir traces her journey from a local singing competition to opening for Dave Matthews Band, through fifteen years of touring and six studio albums, while raising two children with her wife, Catherine Shepherd. Carlile's career led to collaborations with artists including Elton John, Dolly Parton, Mavis Staples, Pearl Jam, Tanya Tucker, and Joni Mitchell, as well as work with the supergroup The Highwomen. The book examines her relationship with faith and the moments and lyrics that have shaped her artistic life and creative work.