UPDATED: ‘Highwomen’ Supergroup with Brandi Carlile & Amanda Shires On The Way
UPDATE: According to the publicist of Amanda Shires, Margo Price is not currently involved in this project as discussed in the interview below and preliminarily reported. Amanda has also offered further clarification (see bottom).
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This story has been updated.
A new country music supergroup is on the way that will combine the talents of Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and others. Called the Highwomen, it will take inspiration from legendary country music supergroup The Highwaymen, which included Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. Jim Lauderdale is also involved in the project as a co-writer working with Amanda Shires, as are others.
This is the information that came out in an interview Amanda Shires conducted on 91.9 WFPK with Laura Shine as Shires got ready to perform on the radio station’s Winter Wednesday presentation in Louisville, Kentucky on January 9th. When talking about working with songwriter Jim Lauderdale, Amanda Shires revealed,
“We’ve been writing some songs together for a new project I started with Brandi Carlile. Me, her, and Margo Price [UPDATE: According to Amanda Shires’ publicist, Margo Price is not involved in this project]. We’ve got a new group called the Highwomen coming up—as in exalted, not stoned. I mean I’m sure being stoned is fine depending on where you are and all of that. I’m not advocating anything, or un-advocating anything. Anyway, we’re recording it in March, so we were writing some songs.”
Shires says the idea came to life after she pitched it to Brandi Carlile.
“We’ve been friends for a long time. I met her on a Cayamo Cruise I can’t even remember when, a long time ago. And we’ve been friends. We were at The Basement [Nashville] for some reason, and I told her about this idea I had called the Highwomen, and she was like, ‘I love that idea.’ And I was like, ‘I want you to be in it. And I want you to help me run this because I’m terrible at business, and my voice isn’t as great as yours.’ And she was like, ‘Yeah I’ll be in your band The Highwomen.’ And we have guests like Sheryl Crow. Any women that want to come, and men, it’s all inclusive. It’s not like man haters.”
Though no recording has taken place so far, it sounds like the album is mostly written for the recording sessions in March.
“We’ve written a whole lot of songs, me and Brandi, and then on our own we have [written songs] too. And I thought it would be fun to have me and Jim [Launderdale] write and see if anything came out that would work for the Highwomen, and I think we did good. I like co-writing. It’s fun to see how other people’s minds work and process, and I’ve always been such a big fan of [Jim’s] writing. You know, who doesn’t love George Strait? And him as a person, really.”
And for those wondering what the sound will be since all three women have slid back and forth between more country elements, and then more Americana elements in their careers, Amanda Shires assures this will be country.
“For myself and Brandi, the music that we do on our own is our top priority. But this other project that we’re doing is also a priority, but what we want to do is play more country music. So it will be more country.”
Brandi Carlile just earned a whopping six Grammy nominations for her latest record By The Way, I Forgive You, including three in all genre categories. Amanda Shires released her latest record To The Sunset in August, 2018. More information on the Highwomen when it comes available.
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UPDATE 4:15 p.m. CST: Amanda Shires says, “I accidentally jumped the gun when I spoke with WFKP about my idea for a women’s super group called the Highwomen. Brandi and I do have something in the works and we will announce the exact details when it comes to fruition. Just wanted to let you know that nothing is official and this isn’t news yet.”
January 10, 2019 @ 11:42 am
God this has the potential to be awesome
January 10, 2019 @ 11:43 am
Definitely has a ‘take my money’ feel to it.
January 10, 2019 @ 11:45 am
Agreed, all 3 are extremely talented in their own right but together? And with special guests? This could be special.
January 10, 2019 @ 11:48 am
Most exciting news in 2019 thus far.
January 10, 2019 @ 11:51 am
They are short a member. Maybe SCM commenter Cameron would like to join.
January 10, 2019 @ 9:14 pm
Nah I’m good. Shires is okay. Carlisle hasnt released anything exciting to me since the eye (that song was incredible) The best news of all of this is that price isn’t involved. Her first record was awesome. Second one was dogshit. You want my female supergroup? Honestly Pistol Annies is already a thing. Maybe add Ashley McBride and make it a quartet.
January 10, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert, Angaleena Presley = Pistol Annies
Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers = boygenius (not country but still great)
Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Margo Price = Highwaywomen
This is an amazing trend.
January 10, 2019 @ 5:39 pm
I realize this dates things by 30-40 years but:
Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris = The Trio, a..k.a. THE original female supergroup.
January 11, 2019 @ 9:36 am
Remember the Honky Tonk Angels (Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Loretta Lynn)
I remember this video being played on CMT when I was a kid (1993)…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO4SYPRa3pI
all the cameos … young Marty Stuart
January 10, 2019 @ 5:52 pm
Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aiofe O’Donovan = I’m With Her
January 11, 2019 @ 5:39 am
Boygenius is excellent. I was already a fan of Baker, Bridgers and Dacus individually and they work so well together. Have you heard/watched their NPR TinyDesk video on YouTube?
January 11, 2019 @ 8:52 am
Yes, I have seen the TinyDesk (only about 20 times, lol. It is magnificent)
January 10, 2019 @ 12:03 pm
This is very cool. Love it.
January 10, 2019 @ 12:06 pm
I like how they’re keeping that Fourth spot in the line-up free.
Rotating guests in and out helps to differentiate this project from others like I’m With Her and Case/Lang/Veirs and even the original Highwaymen.
Finding creative ways of breaking the Americana monotony of Write/Record/Tour is essential to stave off burnout.
Good luck to these ladies and props to them for keeping things fresh.
January 10, 2019 @ 12:19 pm
The idea of safety in numbers ( revenue in numbers ? ) is not a new one of course , and has been successfully implemented many times , including , as was pointed out , by THE HIGHWAYMEN many years ago . In many ways , its like an auto mall which is a popular concept here in Canada and, I’m guessing , elsewhere in North America . Many auto manufacturers open dealerships in the same location in order to attract ALL buyers to that location and , hopefully , expose them to the many options outside of their otherwise ‘usual’ vehicle choice . It is not done because they love the potential customer so much they want to save them a lot of driving around checking out the competition /options . Its done for strictly business purposes ….bring all of the buyers to one place and SOMETHING will be sold if only on the basis of convenient shopping .
I love that this marketing and exposure model works for musicians ….WHEN IT WORKS !
If you go to a festival featuring a line-up of acts you’ll see all of your favourites on one stage ..either at various times or together jamming at some point . This happens more and more often as entertainers are almost forced to do more and more live shows to make a living . The idea of these acts recording together is the logical next step business -wise . ( I’m With Her , Pistol Annies , many many bluegrass collaborations on record and live ..etc.. ) .
If you are fan of just one of the above-mentioned women , you are likely to pay to see a show or buy prodcut released by the three of them , guaranteeing exposure to the other two . Great marketing strategy , indeed . Hopefully the creative aspect of the venture is equally as great .
I think its safe to say that none of the three women involved could be considered a household name at this point . This can only help that cause and , indeed , perhaps we’ll see an interesting writing partnership develop if the whole is greater than the sum of its parts .
January 10, 2019 @ 12:24 pm
Holy hell, this should be epic!
January 10, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
Wait until the Trashville-pop-music-machine will release the first Higher Woman album…Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris & Bebe Rexha.
First single will be a duet with King Calaway called “Hee Haw Hip Hop” feat. Lil Shit, Triple Shit & Bitches Tenpenny. Written & produced by busbee & Ross Copperman with remixes by Zedd & The Chainsmokers.
Well…the Highwoman supergroup sounds good too.
January 10, 2019 @ 2:26 pm
Poe’s law is strong here.
January 10, 2019 @ 8:06 pm
Brandi Carlile is one of Maren Morris’ biggest fans, actually.
January 10, 2019 @ 12:34 pm
Hey folks, just to update you, I heard from Amanda Shires’ peeps, and they say that Margo Price is NOT part of this project like Amanda mentioned in her radio interview. If you listen to the interview itself, she sort of stuttered before mentioning Margo’s name, so perhaps she meant someone else or something. I have updated the story, and Amanda might be offering some clarification soon that I will also include here. All that said, the project is legit, will probably include some other notable woman or women in country, and is still something to be excited for, however preliminary the project is at the moment.
January 10, 2019 @ 12:38 pm
This group deserves ten times the attention that the country boy band that was written about the other day. This is definitely a “take my money” scenario, and I am on board.
January 10, 2019 @ 12:54 pm
My ideal Highwomen line would be Margo Price, Lydia Loveless, Lindi Ortega and Sarah Shook, but I’ll take this. Plus they need to sell records.
January 10, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
These four names account for probably about half the music on my phone.
January 10, 2019 @ 8:07 pm
You need a lot more music on your phone.
January 10, 2019 @ 12:54 pm
Am I the only one who feels like calling it Highwomen detracts from and belittles the idea and turns it into a joke?
And… uh guys… Who decided that Amanda Shires is “supergroup” quality?
Last I checked she was famous because of her connection to another very famous person
Sure she can play the fiddle, but throw a stick at a Bluegrass festival and you’ll hit a better fiddler
January 10, 2019 @ 1:17 pm
It’s not nice to throw sticks at bluegrass fiddlers. They’re doing their best.
Supergroups in other genres don’t always work out, but every now and then you get a “Layla.”
January 10, 2019 @ 2:38 pm
Bluegrass fiddlers are a joke anymore.
We GET IT you guys can play fast and know some hot licks
But we haven’t seen but one or two TRUE improvisers with soul and passion in over a decade.
ever since the eighties REAL quality fiddlers have been hard to find and they all just sound over rehearsed with no real style of their own aside from hot licks
January 10, 2019 @ 3:55 pm
Listening to Mack Magaha play with Reno & Smiley and Porter Wagoner. Now there was a fiddler.
January 11, 2019 @ 8:22 am
See? there’s a great example of high end fiddling
But in the last couple of decades only two or three fiddlers have really risen to anything
January 11, 2019 @ 12:11 pm
Fuzzy, I get what you mean and I agree in a lot of ways. But I have to say Alex Hargreaves who played on This Highway and will be on the next record is probably the best. I think he has a pretty distinct playing voice too.
January 11, 2019 @ 1:09 pm
Nick Worley and Kyle Nix would beg to differ with you.
January 10, 2019 @ 1:20 pm
I think the term super group is kind of thrown out there now any time talented singers or artists get together to perform. In reality the Pistol Annies are not a true super group, but it is how I think the term is used today. In the past groups such as the Highwaymen and Traveling Wilburys were true definitions of super groups, where basically every member was a big known star. I just think it is different now.
January 10, 2019 @ 1:30 pm
I gotta say , F2S , I wondered about the Shires thing too ….but deferred to her apparent popularity outside of Canada . ” Supergroup ” is a term I dislike …….but if it was ever correctly applied it was to the HIGHWAYMEN , regardless of their motivations. IMHO just about ANY actual bluegrass band currently working is a ‘ supergroup ‘ …..particularly when compared to the mainstream ‘ supergroup ‘ options – musically and vocally .
January 10, 2019 @ 2:41 pm
I’m sure she’s a great fiddler,
But fiddling in Americana is just some made up passages and a bit of noodling in the background
old time fiddlers are all trying to be bluegrass fiddlers and bluegrass fiddlers are just trying to play faster
I think they great decade of fiddling was the seventies and ever since Mark O’Connor killed diversity that fiddling never recovered
January 10, 2019 @ 5:30 pm
If you give a listen to one of Amanda’s albums (all of them excellent, with My Piece of Land being her masterpiece IMO), you might find out that she can do a lot more than just fiddle.
January 10, 2019 @ 5:58 pm
Yeah, My Piece of Land is a terrific record. Into the Sunset isn’t my style, but it’s clear that Amanda Shires is by no means just a fiddle player.
January 10, 2019 @ 1:41 pm
Yeah Fuzz, I’m there. None of these gals are legends of country music like The Highwaymen were when they did their thing. Now that Trio concept with Dolly, Emmylou and Linda is another story entirely. IMO that is closer to the idea. Throwing some Americana gals together is ok I guess and I’m sure it will produce some good music, no doubt. But calling them a supergroup might be a stretch.
How about Dolly, Allison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Patty Loveless? Reba? These gals are actual legends of music.
January 10, 2019 @ 2:38 pm
This is just a fun side project, not something trying to directly emulate The Highwaymen, or trying to put these ladies on equal footing as Cash, Jennings, Nelson, and Kristofferson. Let’s not take it too seriously, and wait to hear what they come up with.
January 10, 2019 @ 3:10 pm
I get that it’s just a side project, but they are the ones inviting comparison by calling themselves The Highwomen. Feels pretentious to me, even if they mean well.
January 10, 2019 @ 2:35 pm
I think that’s an unfair reduction of Amanda Shires. I’d heard about her way before I’d heard about Jason Isbell. Granted, I’m from Texas, and down here she was a very promising fiddle prodigy that toured with the Texas Playboys and the Thrift Store Cowboys. I’m sorry if she’s doesn’t wow you with her fiddle skills, but much more goes into deciding who works well in a supergroup. Kris Kristofferson never could sing, even before he joined The Highwaymen, but The Highwaymen wouldn’t be the same without him.
January 10, 2019 @ 5:42 pm
Well, I can’t say I’ve heard of her before I heard of Isbell, as I saw him in DBT in 2002 and then heard his classics Outfit and Decoration Day on the Decoration Day album about a year later, but I heard of her before I knew they were an item and that was when you reviewed her song Ghost Bird in 2011. But I agree about the unfair reduction. She’s made 4 quality solo singer/songwriter albums since 2011. And one reason why she isn’t as well known as Isbell is that her music isn’t as accessible as his. Musically, her work is much more adventurous, I think. I’m not going to say she’s “better” than him, but she has a sound that is quite unique and that isn’t for everyone.
January 10, 2019 @ 9:02 pm
I know who Isbell is because I heard Shires’ cover of “Detroit or Buffalo” on a college radio station…and HAD to listen to everything else she’s ever done.
Anyone trying to downplay her chops, as a singer, songwriter and musician, is doing a much better job demonstrating their ignorance than anything else.
January 10, 2019 @ 2:58 pm
So Fuzz, I generally quite respect your opinion on things, I’ve got a bit of a different take. “Supergroup” these days people use to mean not a group of superstars, but a group of well-known folks usually known as solo artists forming a band. I do think that’s a bit unfair to Shires, and I think her skill set makes her unusually suited to be in a “supergroup.” She’s a skilled and creative musician, not just songwriter, plays an instrument very well, and is a good harmony singer.
Also, come down and visit NC or western VA sometime. Real old-time fiddling is alive and well down here.
January 10, 2019 @ 8:08 pm
Jason Isbell can’t touch Amanda’s songwriting in any aspect besides lyrics.
January 11, 2019 @ 5:43 am
Amanda was better known than Isbell up until he released Southeastern. I know I was definitely aware of her years before Jason, though I’m from Texas so maybe she was more well known here.
January 11, 2019 @ 6:58 am
That’s probably why. I think Isbell was still better known in the country at large because of his years in DBT and him being much beloved by DBT fans. In the DC area around 2011 or so, he was playing the Rock and Roll Hotel, which I believe as a 400 person capacity. I hadn’t heard of Amanda Shires until Trigger wrote about her in 2011.
January 10, 2019 @ 1:13 pm
Now be ready for the endless articles about why this supergroup does not achieve the radio airplay of the original Highwaymen because they are all female singers.
January 10, 2019 @ 1:21 pm
“Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowgirls”?
January 10, 2019 @ 2:19 pm
I find it very telling you would seemingly praise this female “super group” who haven’t put out anything, but prematurely defame King Calaway, who have the potential to make country music a worldwide genre and break down barriers. I haven’t been impressed with Brandi’s music in recent years, so I’ll reserve my judgement. At least Margo Price isn’t a part of it. That would have surely made this entire corporate side project a disaster.
January 10, 2019 @ 2:45 pm
That’s why street cred and skins on the wall are so important in country music. That said, I didn’t give any praise to the music of this supergroup, just reported the story, and am excited at the prospects. I also went out of my way in the King Calaway story to say that we owe it to them to judge the music on its own merit once it’s released.
“who have the potential to make country music a worldwide genre and break down barriers.”
I believe country music enjoying popular reception is a positive thing, but it should never be at the expense of its unique identity and the roots of the music. Country music isn’t trying to take over the world, like pop, hip-hop, and rock. That’s one of the things that’s cool about it.
January 10, 2019 @ 3:12 pm
Who says breaking down barriers and making country a worldwide genre would be a good thing? Sounds like monogenre to me.
January 11, 2019 @ 6:25 am
It’s almost as if Shires and Carlile have been putting out quality music for the past decade plus while King Calaway are a group of corporate stooges with no musical bona fides, brought together by record company executives for the sole purpose of making money. There’s a possibility that they could be good, but it’s not unreasonable to be wary of them while being excited by the Highwomen.
January 10, 2019 @ 2:32 pm
The Highwaymen are some mighty big shoes to fill, might be a good idea to blaze new trails and avoid trying to market yourselves as female versions of a great Country music team. But time will tell if the songs are legit and the fans buy in ….. good luck,
????
January 10, 2019 @ 2:42 pm
Perhaps Margo was involved but had to back out because of the timing with her baby.
January 10, 2019 @ 2:52 pm
You might be right about that. When you listen to the Amanda Shires interview, she pauses for a really long time before mentioning Margo’s name. You would think if you were forming a group with somebody, you’d be more quick to name them. Her name might have been involved early, and who knows, she may be involved in the future. But when I spoke to Amanda’s management, they were adamant about Margo not being involved, even though that’s the way the story is being reported all over the place (including here initially).
January 10, 2019 @ 3:22 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up participating. Its probably just not official yet.
January 10, 2019 @ 4:06 pm
Brandi’s own career is doing mighty fine at this point and will continue to climb especially after the Grammy’s. Why would she put that on hold for this? Sorry,but teaming with Margo and Amanda seems like it would be a step back.
January 10, 2019 @ 4:14 pm
The same could be said for Miranda Lambert with the Pistol Annies, or Sarah Jarosz with I’m With Her. They do it because they want to.
January 10, 2019 @ 9:07 pm
Especially since Grammy Nominee Margo Price is just as big a name as Brandi…
(And, even if Margo’s not going to be involved, the only people who don’t love Amanda Shires have never heard of her).
January 10, 2019 @ 4:27 pm
This is a fantastic idea! Add Brandy Clark and Ashley McBryde and make it PERFECT!
January 10, 2019 @ 6:04 pm
This is going to be an awesome group, no matter who they get to fill out the lineup, but their first order of business should be to find a better name.
I’ve never watched it, but Cougar Town was supposedly a decent show, but it got cancelled because the name was so off-putting.
I would hate for the same type of thing to happen to this group.
January 10, 2019 @ 9:09 pm
Cougar Town lasted 6 seasons (well past its expiration date, honestly).
Maybe it’s a HIMYM-level hit with an accurate name…but it’s hard to complain about its run.
January 10, 2019 @ 6:11 pm
Hey, if they succeed and change ‘that Nashville sound’ will Jason Isbell admit that White Mans World sucks?
January 10, 2019 @ 9:12 pm
Why would he lie…to unhurt your feelings, or something?
It’s far from my favorite track on the album, but it’s an interesting song, and I’m glad he threw it out there…if only because I no longer have to deal with the people who are so pathetically triggered by its existence at Isbell’s sold out shows.
January 11, 2019 @ 12:31 am
Im not jealous or suffering from hurt feelings, I just felt disappointed that a songwriter who has previously had a talent for amazing songs with depth, perception and a cunningly tactful way of helping people understand each other, has turned to a shallow song that makes people angry at each other.
The song implies that by me being happy with who I am (straight white male working class) I’m somehow contributing to Amanda’s lack of success. Ergo, if she becomes successful, I can be happy with a clean conscious and Jason Isbell can go back to thinking a bit more before he puts a knee jerk, scapegoating song on his records.
Basically I’m hoping she succeeds so we can all be happy. Why don’t you want to meet me at a Jason Isbell show?
January 11, 2019 @ 7:06 am
“a songwriter who has previously had a talent for amazing songs with depth, perception and a cunningly tactful way of helping people understand each other, has turned to a shallow song that makes people angry at each other”
Well said. It could be that Isbell’s song is just “virtue signaling.” It’s like hanging out a shingle, saying “I’m part of Tribe X.” Some people demand that of others, which to my mind is part of what’s pulling this country apart.
Depth, perception, and tactful ways of helping people understand each other is not only a more moral approach, it’s also more effective.
Isbell should put down the Saul Alinsky and take up his Charlie Pride (among others).
January 11, 2019 @ 7:20 am
The song implies that by me being happy with who I am (straight white male working class) I’m somehow contributing to Amanda’s lack of success.
I haven’t heard that one before.
January 11, 2019 @ 1:20 pm
‘Mama wants to change that Nashville sound buy they [white men] are never gonna let her’
So what happens if ‘they’/’we’ let her?
Dear Isbell and fans of that song: lots of white men buy albums of female artists, go to shows and buy merch etc and we do NOT belong to the demographic thats holding back female artists. Please stop judging me by skin colour and gender.
January 11, 2019 @ 1:39 pm
I would think the “they” he’s referencing would be the Nashville mainstream country establishment, who I’m pretty sure are largely white men. A particular white male power structure, as it were. The one that tends to think women artists as “the tomatoes in the salad.” Sounds like you’re not part of that power structure. So maybe you need to chill out.
January 10, 2019 @ 9:24 pm
as played out as talking about weed is, i’m looking forward to this project as well. weed isn’t “edgy” anymore. goofy title for what is POTentially going to be somewhat of a DOPE supergroup. okay… i’ll stop. this project will be awesome if it comes to be. i’d like to hear an album!! … just not one produced by Price’s people. i like the old school aesthetic but her last album sounded really flat sonically.
January 11, 2019 @ 5:17 am
pass
January 13, 2019 @ 7:09 am
Somebody (a woman) commented that “High Horse” might be a better name and wondered if you had to pay extra for the lectures we’d get between songs. I’m sure the music would be great though.
March 6, 2019 @ 3:09 pm
So…Maren Morris. Interesting, I am still looking forward to hearing this