[1] While studying anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College, she began singing and playing guitar in small clubs.

She recorded her debut album, Jukebox Sparrows (Capitol, 2002), with Jim Keltner, Greg Leisz, and James Gadson.

In the interim, McNally opened for Stevie Nicks and Ryan Adams and was part of the 1999 Girl's Room tour with Tara MacLean, Kendall Payne, and Amy Correia.

When Capitol issued Jukebox Sparrows in January 2002, it did so in a market that had already embraced such roots-flavored material such as Ryan Adams and the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack.

In late 2002, she released the Ran on Pure Lightning EP, a collaboration with songwriter Neal Casal.

[5] In 2019, McNally joined a new management team and continued to collaborate with Terry Allen as part of his band.