The Highwomen Explained

The Highwomen
Origin:Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Years Active:–present
Label:Elektra
Current Members:

The Highwomen is an American country music supergroup[1] [2] composed of Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires.[3] Formed in 2019,[4] the group's self-titled debut album was released on September 6 of the same year by Elektra Records and was produced by Dave Cobb.[5]

History

In 2016, when Shires was finishing her record My Piece of Land in music producer Dave Cobb's studio, Shires had an idea to create a female country supergroup in homage to the legendary Highwaymen country supergroup (consisting of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson). At the same time, the lack of representation of women artists on country music radio and at country music festivals had been publicly discussed by many, influenced by the MeToo movement and journalists like Marissa Moss. While on tour in her van, listening to country radio, Shires kept a running list of artists and noticed that there were few women. When she called to request they play more women artists, she was directed to a Facebook page lottery system. Cobb recommended Shires call Carlile, whom she didn't know. Carlile thought it would be fun, and would be an interesting creative project.

The Highwomen project was widely hinted at by Carlile, Morris and Shires before it was officially announced on April 6, 2019. With the name paying homage to The Highwaymen, the Highwomen were originally intended to leave the fourth spot in their line-up vacant to allow other female collaborators to join them, with Chely Wright, Courtney Marie Andrews, Margo Price, Janelle Monáe and Sheryl Crow mentioned as potential guests.[6] The band, who jokingly refer to the collaboration as a pirate ship experience, said that they see the project as an incubator project that highlights mentorship and support of fellow women artists.

Morris hadn't worked with Cobb before, and remarked on how much she liked tracking live. The band recorded live vocals, live band, harmonies in unison, where the musicians were recording together live in an organic environment at historic RCA Studio A, which Cobb now owns. As part of the experience, some of the members got matching Highwomen tattoos.[7]

The group made their live debut on April 1, 2019 at Loretta Lynn's 87th birthday concert held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. There, Natalie Hemby was officially revealed as the final member and the quartet performed "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels".[8] Their debut single, "Redesigning Women", and its associated music video featuring female artists including Tanya Tucker, Cam, Lauren Alaina, Cassadee Pope and Wynonna Judd was released on 19 July 2019, with their self-titled debut album (set for release on September 6) becoming available for pre-order on the same day.[9] The song was promoted by country singer Dierks Bentley who released a comedic reading of the lyrics to his YouTube Channel which received praise from Carlile and Morris.[10] Their second single, "Crowded Table", written by band member Hemby and Lori McKenna, was released on July 26, 2019.[11]

In July 2019, the Highwomen performed their first ever full live set at the 60th annual Newport Folk Festival, previewing songs from their upcoming album including "If She Ever Leaves Me", written by Shires, her husband Jason Isbell and Chris Thompkins.[12] With Carlile on lead vocals, Isbell described it as "the first gay country song" which elicited applause from the audience. Other songs performed included "My Only Child", an ode to "suburban moms" performed by Hemby who wrote the track with Shires and Miranda Lambert, "Loose Change", a nod to 70s country written by Morris, Daniel Layus of Augustana, and Maggie Chapman, featuring Morris on lead vocals and "Cocktail and a Song" which was written solely by Shires in honor of her father. Carlile later invited the rest of the Highwomen to join her during her headlining set where, as they originally intended, the group performed alongside other female artists including Amy Ray, Courtney Marie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Jade Bird, Judy Collins, Linda Perry, Lucy Dacus, Our Native Daughters, Sheryl Crow, The First Ladies of Bluegrass, and Yola Carter.[13] [14] Shires said the plan was always to debut their music at Newport with Dolly Parton. The band wore custom suits by Manuel.

Their cover of "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac from the soundtrack of the movie The Kitchen debuted during the film's first trailer and was officially released on August 2, 2019.[15] The title track of their self-titled debut album was released on August 13, 2019. Written by Carlile and Shires with Jimmy Webb, the original writer of "Highwayman", the track that originally inspired the Highwomen's formation, it tells the story of various women throughout history and features guest vocals from British country soul singer Yola Carter and backing vocals from Sheryl Crow.[16] The song is a classic answer song.

The band recorded 15 songs, but only 12 tracks made it on the album. Songwriters included the aforementioned Jimmy Webb, Rodney Clawson, Maggie Chapman, Lori McKenna, Jason Isbell, Peter Levin, Miranda Lambert, Ray LaMontagne, among many others.[17] Many of the songs flip gender roles, with additions of characters like refugee, preacher, Freedom Rider, and a healer, compared to the characters drawn by the Highwaymen songs.[18]

Following the release of their album, the band have infrequently performed together. In 2022, they performed "Somewhere Down The Road" at the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Amy Grant, who was one of the honorees. They also performed "Coal Miner's Daughter" during a tribute show on CMT following the death of Loretta Lynn, with Brittney Spencer standing in for Morris.[19] [20]

Discography

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Dig.
[29] 		US
Cou.
US
AAA
[30]
"Redesigning Women"2019—50—The Highwomen
"Crowded Table"——31
"Highwomen"———
"The Chain"
46—28rowspan="2"
"Hold On"
2020———

Music videos

Members

The Highwomen

Honorary Highwomen

Band

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated Work Result
2020 Group of the Year The Highwomen
Duo/Group of the Year
Album of the Year The Highwomen
Song of the Year "Crowded Table"
Group Video of the Year
2021
Group of the Year The Highwomen

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Moss. Marissa R.. The Highwomen: In the Studio With Country's Ballsiest New Group. Rolling Stone. 19 July 2019. en-US. 19 July 2019. 20 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200820074821/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/the-highwomen-interview-brandi-carlile-maren-morris-860629/. live.
  2. News: Weiner. Natalie. Country Music Is a Man's World. The Highwomen Want to Change That.. The New York Times. 3 September 2019. 4 September 2019. 2 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200902100144/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/03/arts/music/highwomen-country-supergroup.html. live.
  3. Hughes. Hilary. Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires & Natalie Hemby Unpack The Highwomen's Impact. Billboard. 23 August 2019. 7 September 2019. 7 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200907190206/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8527897/the-highwomen-interview-brandi-carlile-maren-morris-amanda-shires-album. live.
  4. Hudak. Joseph. Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris Talk Highwomen Project. Rolling Stone. en-US. 11 June 2019. Includes two-part audio interview on SiriusXM's channel The Highway with Storme Warren. 19 July 2019. 7 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200907190211/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/highwomen-brandi-carlile-maren-morris-amanda-shires-natalie-hemby-847032/. live.
  5. News: Thompson. Stephen. Listen: Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby Are The Highwomen. NPR. 19 July 2019. en. 19 July 2019. 7 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200907190215/https://www.npr.org/2019/07/19/743192244/brandi-carlile-maren-morris-and-others-release-their-first-single-as-the-highwom. live.
  6. News: Chris. Willman. Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires Add Maren Morris to 'Highwomen' Supergroup. Variety. 6 March 2019. 19 July 2019. 8 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190608235415/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/brandi-carline-maren-morris-amanda-shires-highwomen-supergroup-1203156171/. live.
  7. News: McCartney. Kelly. Inside the Making and the Movement of The Highwomen. No Depression. 9 September 2019. 7 September 2019. 9 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190909060846/https://www.nodepression.com/inside-the-making-and-the-movement-of-the-highwomen/. live.
  8. Marissa R.. Moss. See the Highwomen's Live Debut at Loretta Lynn Birthday Show. Rolling Stone. 2 April 2019. 19 July 2019. 5 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190405162535/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/highwomen-brandi-carlile-loretta-lynn-birthday-concert-816499/. live.
  9. News: Cillea. Houghton. The Highwomen Light the Ultimate Bonfire in 'Redesigning Women' Video [Watch]]. Taste of Country. 19 July 2019. 19 July 2019. 7 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200907223124/https://tasteofcountry.com/the-highwomen-redesigning-women-video/. live.
  10. News: Thompson. Gayle. Dierks Bentley Does Comedic Reading of The Highwomen's 'Redesigning Women'. PopCulture.com. 24 July 2019. 26 July 2019. 26 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190726155541/https://popculture.com/country-music/2019/07/24/dierks-bentley-comedic-reading-the-highwomen-redesigning-women/. live.
  11. News: Newcomb. Ming Lee. Country supergroup The Highwomen share second single "Crowded Table": Stream. Consequence of Sound. 26 July 2019. 2 September 2019. 27 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190727170940/https://consequence.net/2019/07/the-highwomen-crowded-table-stream/. live.
  12. News: Willman. Chris. Country Supergroup the Highwomen Has a High Time in Newport Folk Festival Debut. Variety. 27 July 2019. en. 7 September 2019. 2 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190802063329/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/highwomen-live-debut-newport-folk-festival-1203282123/. live.
  13. Bernstein. Jonathan. Exposito. Suzy. Newport Folk Festival 2019: 10 Best Things We Saw. Rolling Stone. 29 July 2019. 29 July 2019. 29 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190729215835/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/newport-folk-fest-2019-recap-864579/. live.
  14. Hughes. Hilary. The 10 Best Moments From the Surprise-Packed 2019 Newport Folk Festival. Billboard. 29 July 2019. 29 July 2019. 29 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190729220553/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/festivals/8524203/newport-folk-festival-2019-best-moments-dolly-parton-kermit-brandi-carlile. live.
  15. News: Arcand. Rob. New Music: The Highwomen Cover Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain": Listen. SPIN. 2 August 2019. 13 August 2019. 9 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190809054027/https://www.spin.com/2019/08/the-highwomen-cover-fleetwood-mac-the-chain-listen/. live.
  16. Hudak. Joseph. Hear the Highwomen's Gender-Swapping Remake of the Highwaymen's Theme Song. Rolling Stone. 13 August 2019. 13 August 2019. 13 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190813181542/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/highwomen-highwayman-song-brandi-carlile-871074/. live.
  17. Moss. Marissa R.. The Highwomen's Debut Album: Track-by-Track Guide. Rolling Stone. 4 September 2019. 6 September 2019. 6 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190906031247/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/the-highwomens-debut-album-track-by-track-guide-879785/. live.
  18. News: Domenghini. Annalise. The Highwomen On Feminism, Success, And Dolly Parton. NYLON. 6 September 2019. en. 6 September 2019. 4 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191104164602/https://nylon.com/the-highwomen-interview-dolly-parton. live.
  19. Web site: WATCH: The Highwomen Tribute Amy Grant at Kennedy Center Honors . 29 December 2022 .
  20. Web site: Jack White, the Highwomen Pay Tribute to Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry . 31 October 2022 .
  21. Post Malone Scores Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'Hollywood's Bleeding'. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. September 15, 2019. September 16, 2019. February 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200222100921/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8530004/post-malone-hollywoods-bleeding-No1-debut-billboard-200-chart. live.
  22. Billboard Country Update. Billboard. September 16, 2019. September 17, 2019. July 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703100352/https://bulletins.billboard.com/country/country_update_0916.pdf. live.
  23. The Highwomen Chart History - Americana/Folk Albums. Billboard. April 1, 2020. January 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220108170756/https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-highwomen/chart-history/flk/. live.
  24. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. September 16, 2019. September 14, 2019. September 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190916193433/http://cdn.aria.com.au/pdfs/540898B5DFEFB5215EAEFFC72C0AE87B799C09D486E1F275C06E78E221F472CE/ARIA. live.
  25. Billboard Canadian Albums: September 21, 2019. Billboard. September 17, 2019. September 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200907193113/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2019-09-21. live.
  26. Web site: Highwomen full Official Chart history. Official Charts Company. September 14, 2019. September 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200907195120/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56259/highwomen/. live.
  27. Web site: Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20 Official Charts Company. 2021-01-15. The Official UK Charts Company. en. 2021-01-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128080539/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/country-artists-albums-chart/20190913/21/. live.
  28. Web site: Top 10 Country Albums Pure Sales Chart: March 9, 2020 . RoughStock . Matt . Bjorke . March 10, 2020 . March 22, 2020 . March 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200319184203/http://roughstock.com/news/2020/03/44165-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-march-9-2020 . live .
  29. The Highwomen Chart History - Digital Song Sales. Billboard. April 1, 2020. January 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220108170807/https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-highwomen/chart-history/hds/. live.
  30. Adult Alternative Songs - February 1, 2020. Billboard. 10 February 2020. 2020-01-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20200128102231/https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2020-02-01. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Highwomen".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.