A new year means new traditions, and there’s nothing better than starting one with the person that you call your mother.
Last year, country duo Honey County released their single “Got It From My Mama,” which is a heartfelt song that shines a light on the deep-rooted pride and love both women share for their mothers. Upon its release, the tune quickly became a viral sensation, as brides were using the song to celebrate the relationship with their mothers in a unique and unconventional mother/daughter dance at their weddings.
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No stranger to the spotlight and Celeb Secrets readers, Honey County has had their music featured in NFL commercials, HBO’s True Blood, CW’s Roswell, and the Paramount Network’s hit Yellowstone. Gaining new fans daily thanks to their infectious sound and powerful vocals, the Nashville-based duo caught the attention of the NFL’s CIO Michelle McKenna, who says she immediately “fell in love” with their music after giving them a real listen.
“I loved Yellowstone and I started Googling who the artists were and discovered their name,” McKenna recalls. “I then followed them on Instagram and fell in love with their song ‘Got It From My Mama!'”
The sports executive connected with the song on a deeper level, as she shares a special bond with her mother, Sharlon Robinette. With only an 18-year age gap between them, McKenna and her mother have gone through it all together, including surviving breast cancer. So when it was time to marry her now husband Erich Schindlar back in July, Michelle knew that she had to incorporate something special that involved the woman who she loves the most.
“I have been through so much in my life and my mom has been my rock,” Michelle explains to Celeb Secrets. “I know the father/daughter dance is so important, and having been married before, I wanted to honor my mama and daughter [Maggie] this time with a mother/daughter dance at my reception.”
Influenced by her country roots with a mother/daughter moment in mind, McKenna hit the drawing board to plan the ultimate “southern garden party” with producer Chris Court from Coastal Music Group.
“I wanted [my wedding] to feel like a southern garden party with country music, so I began to look for country acts in New York City,” Michelle explains to Celeb Secrets. “The problem is I am from Alabama and have a high bar for country music. I wanted it to be fresh, original and not gimmicky. Everyone I spoke to just didn’t get what I was describing, so on a whim I thought, ‘I am going to DM Honey County to see if they would be willing to play at my wedding.'”
“[Michelle] reached out to us and she said, ‘Hey, I’m having a wedding in New York. I would love to have you guys out to sing ‘Got It From My Mama’ for a mother/daughter dance.’ And we were like, ‘we would be honored!’” Dani recalls in a previous interview with Celeb Secrets.
Dani and Sofie packed their things and headed to the Big Apple for the intimate ceremony at the Long Island Yacht Club. With friends, family and of course McKenna’s mother in attendance, the venue was transformed into the country party of her dreams with help of interior designer and longtime friend Michele Granda of Haran Interiors.
Donning a stunning formal gown from Geraldina’s Couture in Scarsdale and hot pink Manolo Blahnik pumps for the reception, Michelle’s moment with her mother during the performance of “Got It From My Mama” was definitely a highlight of the evening. Dani, Sofie and the rest of the guests in attendance were literally brought to tears by the time the song ended.
“It was such a special moment because [Michelle] is a breast cancer survivor and so is her mother,” Dani says. “We were all in tears watching them dance together at her wedding!”
Michelle met Schindlar during the pandemic in The Hamptons. Both were spending a lot of time out east due to the strict restrictions in the city and slow-paced work environment due to COVID-19, and instantly connected the moment they met. “The slow down time made me really be open to a new relationship and I am very lucky to have met Erich,” McKenna shares.
Listen to Honey County’s “Got It From My Mama” below and let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
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