The Highwomen

The Highwomen is a country and Americana supergroup composed of singer-songwriters Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby. The group formed when Shires, motivated by the underrepresentation of female performers on country radio, collaborated with Carlile to create a collective that would address gender imbalance in the music industry. Drawing inspiration from the 1980s outlaw country group The Highwaymen, Shires and Carlile invited Morris and Hemby to join, aiming to foster a collaborative environment for women in country music. The band initially considered leaving a fourth spot open to welcome additional female collaborators, describing their project as a "pirate ship experience" focused on mentorship and support for women artists.

At the time of the group's formation, each member was established in her respective genre: Carlile had received multiple Grammy Awards, Morris was recognized in country-pop, Shires was gaining attention for her work on "To the Sunset," and Hemby was known for her songwriting contributions to Kacey Musgraves' "Golden Hour" and Miranda Lambert's "The Weight of These Wings." Hemby also co-wrote two tracks with Lady Gaga for the "A Star Is Born" soundtrack, including "I'll Never Love Again." The Highwomen made their live debut at Loretta Lynn's birthday concert in Nashville and performed at the Newport Folk Festival, where they were joined by Dolly Parton.

The group's self-titled debut album, produced by Dave Cobb and released by Elektra Records, was recorded at RCA Studio A with live vocals and harmonies. The album features guest appearances from Yola, Sheryl Crow on "My Name Can't Be Mama," and The McCrary Sisters, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200.

The song "Crowded Table" won Song of the Year at the Americana Honors & Awards and earned the group the Grammy Award for Best Country Song. The Highwomen also received Duo/Group of the Year and Album of the Year for "The Highwomen" at the Americana Honors & Awards. The group appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, performing "Redesigning Women" and "Crowded Table."

The Highwomen is recognized for advocacy and mentorship within the country and Americana music industry, promoting inclusivity and challenging traditional gender roles. The group has influenced conversations about representation and equality in country music. Since the release of their debut album, the members have continued to release solo projects and have received additional Grammy Awards. Their live album, Live at the Gorge 2023, documents their onstage collaboration. The Highwomen remains a significant force in the movement for gender equity in country music, contributing to both the cultural and musical landscape of the genre.