Tucker says anytime is the right time to toast to life. (photo by Derrek Kupish)

At the tender age of 13, Tanya Tucker exploded onto the country music scene with her breakout hit “Delta Dawn.” And ever since, the original female outlaw and country music icon has found countless ways to stay relevant in a world often eager to move on to the next best thing.

In 2020 alone, Tucker essentially relaunched her career thanks to the success of her acclaimed album While I’m Livin’, which was co-produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings. The recording helped her bring home Grammy awards for Best Country Album as well as Best Country Song, for “Bring My Flowers Now.” 

So yeah, Tucker ain’t going nowhere.

And neither is her tequila.

Partnering with founder Elle France, Tucker now has her own spirit brand, Cosa Salvaje Tequila, a blanco made by the family-owned Partida Distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. Derived from very mature Blue Agave plants, the drink has a smooth, crisp taste that Tucker couldn’t resist. Her image graces every recycled bottle. It’s going to be a hit.

We checked in with Tucker—whose new album, Tanya Tucker – Live From The Troubadour, will be released on October 16th—to share a sip.

You have 15 No. 1 hits, 41 top 10 hits and 23 top 40 albums. And now, you have your own tequila. How the heck did this happen?

It’s so funny. (Founder) Elle France is a family friend, and she came to me and said ‘Hey, I’ve got this tequila and I want to know if you want to be involved,’ and I said, ‘Well, let me taste it.’ I mean, I’ve always been a Patrón drinker. (Laughs.) So, I tried it and I really liked it and I was like ‘Hell yeah, I’m all in.”

Was there ever a doubt that you had made the right decision to promote this brand?

Not at all. I mean, I’ve tried plenty of other tequilas. A lot of different friends of mine even had blind taste tests when I would come over and I would always pick Cosa Salvaje Tequila. I would be like, ‘I’m so glad I love it.’  I wouldn’t want to put my stamp on it if I didn’t like it.

2020 has been quite the crazy year, from the pandemic to the ongoing racial divide to the crazy nature of politics in this country. How often do you just sit down, relax and partake in your own tequila?

I do it more than I should. (Laughs.) It’s always something my friends want to do. When I go to my friends’ houses and someone wants to do a shot of tequila, it’s always Cosa Salvaje Tequila. And then we have a toast.

What do you toast to when the whole world feels like its crumbling around you? Just asking for a friend…

Well, girl, that’s the best time to have a toast. It’s important to take the time and toast to life, no matter what. Cheers to you and cheers to me and here’s to hoping we always agree. 

You are 61 years old, you have pink hair, a hot boyfriend, and the plan is for you to return to touring next year headlining the “CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour.” How do you always seem to find a way…to do it all?

I’m just in that category of people who won’t go away. (Laughs.) There is no stopping me.