Kaitlin Butts Signs to Republic Records, Readies New EP
It’s all happening for Kaitlin Butts, and it couldn’t be happening to a more deserving artist. After releasing her critically-acclaimed concept album Roadrunner! in 2024, launching a viral moment through her song “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me),” being part of the Opry NextStage program, the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents exhibit, and opening shows for Lainey Wilson, that’s all led to Kaitlin signing with Republic Records, officially announced on Thursday (10-30).
“I’ve kept my head down and done the work for so long, I finally stopped to look around and see that the work that I’ve put in has brought me to where I’ve always wanted to be,” Kaitlin Butts said on social media. “From releasing my album over a year ago as an independent artist, to having a viral song, to now signing a record deal with such a prestigious label like Republic Records, the journey has felt nothing short of surreal. I’m so inspired by the team and how their vision for me aligns with the dreams that I’ve always had for myself.”
This puts Kaitlin Butts on the same label as Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift. Though Republic is not exclusively a country label, they have been expanding into the country market recently.
“Kaitlin is a generational talent, a remarkable artist and songwriter with a clear voice and powerful point of view,” says Mary Catherine Kinney of Republic Records. “She’s honest, magnetic and entirely her own. A force live, she’s built a phenomenal career through her unmatched drive and vision. I’ve had the privilege of watching her evolution as an artist and am thrilled to welcome her to the Republic family. We’re deeply honored to partner with her in this next chapter.”
Though that next chapter will likely lead to a new original album from Kaitlin Butts in the not too distant future, she’s starting off the partnership by releasing a covers EP on November 14th. Called the Yeehaw Sessions, it’s the sequel to Kaitlin’s Sad Yeehaw Sessions that came out in 2022 through Kaitlin’s previous distributor, Soundly Music.
The new EP is led by Kaitlin’s take on the Jimmy Eat World song “The Middle” (listen below). Kaitlin also covers “Tulsa Time” by Don Williams, “Sin Wagon” by the [Dixie] Chicks, and Chappell Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova”—all songs Kaitlin’s featured in her live sets in the past. The EP will also include a reprise of “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me).”
“I feel very connected to Republic because I feel like their vision for me aligns with the dreams that I’ve always had for myself,” Butts told Variety. “And it just really feels good to work with a team that is so champing at the bit to get to work, and they seem to want to work just as hard as I have been for a long time, so I’m excited to get to work with them.”
YeeHaw Sessions is available to presave.
October 30, 2025 @ 6:48 pm
I love Kaitlin so much. I’m so excited for her and she deserves nothing but the best, as she is an incredible talent. I hope she keeps on her current path as an incredible country artist. When Kacey Musgraves took her path away from the type of country music that made her famous, I was so bummed as I loved her music. I was able to fill that void with Kaitlin’s music and I hope for my own selfish sake that she doesn’t follow a similar path as Kacey, with that said, it’s her career, her art, and I hope she makes the music that makes her happy. Congratulations Kaitlin!
October 31, 2025 @ 5:33 am
Took the words right out of my mouth. Kaitlin (and Ella) are my favorite female artists right now. I could not be happier for her though I suspect seeing her at Cheatam a few months ago was the last small stage I’ll get to see her on. She stayed after the show and met fans at the merch table. She’s a doll..
October 30, 2025 @ 8:39 pm
I’m so happy for Kaitlin, she deserves nothing but the best. I can’t wait to get the EP and am looking forward to future albums. If you ever get the chance to see her in concert, don’t pass it up. She puts on a phenomenal show.
October 31, 2025 @ 5:39 am
Just saw her live at Red Rocks with her husband and Flatland Cavalry boys…. She’s got it, commands that stage in every way that is rare for a woman, and she really deserves this. Personally you hope this doesn’t signal a move more towards pop and it probably does, but more power to her, she has a window and she’s gotta get the hay in the barn while the sun is shining.
October 31, 2025 @ 9:59 am
I agree with your comment “it couldn’t be happening to a more deserving artist”. I saw her in the UK when supporting Flatland Cavalry and she was excellent and for me probably was the highlight of a very good show. She is a real talent. I wish her well.
October 31, 2025 @ 11:01 am
Good for her. Hope she has a good lawyer. Labels are getting more useless every passing day.
October 31, 2025 @ 2:20 pm
I became a fan of hers through Outlaw Country on Sirius XM and I believe she deserves tremendous success. I love how she remains a genuine country artist and I hope she stays that way.
October 31, 2025 @ 5:27 pm
Love the original but dang i really like this.
October 31, 2025 @ 6:05 pm
Kaitlin, Rocks.
November 1, 2025 @ 9:04 am
Just watched a video of her doing “Red Wine Supernova” in Seattle and her band just cooks. Wow.
November 1, 2025 @ 4:35 pm
I love KB and worry that by going to a bigger label she may lose some artistic control. Regardless, she always kills it in concert, and her recordings are good too.
November 8, 2025 @ 7:27 pm
Her version of “Jackson” kicks ass. It’s been blasted on our patio quite a few times.