How a radio playlist imbalance inspired a country music supergroup
In short: While driving through the American South, Amanda Shires noticed a glaring absence on the airwaves. This realization, sparked by the lack of female representation on country radio, led to the formation of The Highwomen—a powerhouse quartet designed to reshape the genre' even as they paid homage to its legends.
The Highwomen formed in 2019, born from Amanda Shires' observation of the unbalanced prominence of male performers on country radio playlists. Motivated by the lack of female representation at festivals and on the airwaves—a conversation influenced by the MeToo movement—Shires collaborated with producer Dave Cobb and Brandi Carlile to create an ensemble that could leverage their collective star power. The group eventually recruited Natalie Hemby and Maren Morris, completing a quartet that mirrors the legendary 1980s outlaw country group, The Highwaymen.
The group's creative approach emphasizes organic, live recording. For their self-titled debut, released on September 6, 2019, via Elektra Records, the band recorded at the historic RCA Studio A. Under Cobb's production, they captured live vocals and instruments to maintain a natural environment. This collaborative spirit extended to their songwriting; the title track, written by Carlile, Shires, and Jimmy Webb, serves as a 'classic answer song' to the Highwaymen's 'Highwayman,' reimagining historical narratives through female perspectives.
While the band's debut featured 12 tracks from an initial 15 recorded songs, the project was originally envisioned as an incubator. The members initially intended to leave a fourth spot vacant to invite various female collaborators, including artists like Sheryl Crow and Margo Price, to participate. Though they have performed together infrequently since their 2019 emergence, the group continues to impact the genre, with Shires announcing in September 2025 that they were reuniting in the studio to work on a new album.
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- Also: Wikidata — The Highwomen · CC0
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