The Highwomen Reveal New Lineup with Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby and Share Video for Debut Single “Redesigning Women”

Earlier this year we reported on a new alt-country all-women supergroup called The Highwomen that was created by Brandi Carlile and Amanda Shires. The name is an obvious riff on the old outlaw country supergroup The Highwaymen, which featured Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. Today, they group has re-emerged with a new lineup, a new song and the announcement of their self-titled debut album.

Initially, Shires had indicated that the band would include rising country star Margo Price in its ranks. While it appears she may have spoke too soon on that front, the newest members of the band aren’t exactly a letdown either.

Instead of Price, country superstar Morris will join the fold, as well as accomplished songwriter and performer Natalie Hemby, who has written many well-known country hits. The news of Morris joining the fold isn’t exactly shocking as she hinted at today’s announcement in a tweet earlier this month.

The first song to be released by this exciting new country group is “Redesigning Women,” an play on the old television show Designing Women. Written by Hemb and Rodney Clawson, the song is an anthem for and about women and the constant juggle to keep everything in order. “We juggle so much in 24 hours and I wanted to write a song that reflected the goodness, the madness and the hilarity of it all,” said Hembry about the song.

In the video, the four women drive a fire engine strapped with dozens of large cardboard boxes into a grassy field wearing full firefighter get-ups. There they start a massive bonfire, burning the contents of the boxes, much of which is vestiges of what women are “supposed” to be – stilletos, shirts with women sporting perfect bikini bods, pink tutus, lingerie. The four musicians are eventually joined by a crowd for a good-time party around the fire.

The Highwomen Track List

1. “Highwomen” (written by Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Jimmy Webb)
2. “Redesigning Women” (written by Natalie Hemby, Rodney Clawson)
3. “Loose Change” (written by Maren Morris, Maggie Chapman, Daniel Layus)
4. “Crowded Table” (written by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna)
5. “My Name Can’t Be Mama” (written by Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires)
6. “If She Ever Leaves Me” (written by Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell, Chris Thompkins)
7. “Old Soul” (written by Maren Morris, Luke Dick, Laura Veltz)
8. “Don’t Call Me” (written by Amanda Shires, Peter Levin)
9. “My Only Child” (written by Natalie Hemby, Amanda Shires, Miranda Lambert)
10. “Heaven Is A Honky Tonk” (written by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Ray LaMontagne)
11. “Cocktail And A Song” (written by Amanda Shires)
12. “Wheels Of Laredo” (written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth)

Matt Matasci: Music Editor at mxdwn.com - matt@mxdwn.com | I have written and edited for mxdwn since 2015, the same year I began my music journalism career. Previously (and currently) a freelance copywriter, I graduated with a degree in Communications from California Lutheran University in 2008. Born on the Central Coast of California, I am currently a few hundred miles south along the 101 in the Los Angeles area. matt@mxdwn.com
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