The Highwomen

The Highwomen is an American country music supergroup formed in 2019, consisting of Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires. The group’s genesis emerged from Amanda Shires’ observation of the limited presence of female artists on country music radio playlists. Following a recommendation from producer Dave Cobb, Shires approached Carlile, leading to the formation of the group. They chose the name “The Highwomen” as an homage to the influential 1980s outlaw country supergroup, The Highwaymen. The original intention was to maintain a fluid fourth slot, allowing for collaborations with various female artists, though Natalie Hemby was later officially revealed as the consistent fourth member.

The Highwomen released their self-titled debut album on September 6, 2019, under Elektra Records. The album was produced by Dave Cobb, known for his work in the country and Americana genres. The recording process involved tracking live vocals, instrumentation, and harmonies at RCA Studio A, an approach favored by Morris. The group debuted live on April 1, 2019, at Loretta Lynn’s 87th birthday concert in Nashville. Their first single, “Redesigning Women,” was released on July 19, 2019, accompanied by a music video featuring several prominent female country artists. A second single, “Crowded Table,” followed on July 26, 2019.

Throughout their career, The Highwomen have emphasized themes of social justice and female empowerment within their music. Their debut album, featuring a title track co-written with Jimmy Webb, reimagines the narrative structure of The Highwaymen’s original song to tell stories of various women throughout history, incorporating guest vocals from artists like Yola Carter and Sheryl Crow. The group has earned critical recognition, including two wins at the Americana Music Honors & Awards in 2020 for Duo/Group of the Year and Album of the Year for “The Highwomen,” and a Grammy Award in 2021 for Best Country Song for “Crowded Table.”