Hailey Whitters Gives A Wink To Her Heritage On New Album ‘Corn Queen’

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Hailey Whitters is gearing up for the summer release of her new project, Corn Queen, on June 6 via Pigasus Records/Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters.

“Fans started calling me the ‘Corn Queen’ because I’m from Iowa,” Whitters explains. “At first, it seemed kind of silly, but the more I thought about it, the more I loved the duality of it. Corn is this simple, humble crop, and ‘queen’ implies royalty passed down through blood. I come from a long line of blue-collar farmers and construction workers. I’ve been out here for over a decade brushing my teeth in truck stop bathrooms, sleeping on hotel floors, driving myself from gig to gig. It’s not glamorous, but I’m proud of it. I like the idea of a queen with a little grit and elbow grease.”

To accompany the album announcement, Whitters has released the neon-tinged “High On A Heartbreak,” which finds her dreamily intoxicated on the melancholia of a breakup.

“I wrote this song with David Garcia, Hillary Lindsey and Jessie Jo Dillon. I wanted to write the antithesis of a heartbreak song, one about a heartbreak feeling good vs. feeling bad – almost like a guilty pleasure. This song feels like something you’d put on to get ready for a fun night on the town after a breakup. It feels like owning the heartbreak rather than feeling sorry for yourself.”

YouTube video

“High On A Heartbreak” follows the recent release of “High On The Hog,” a rollicking mission statement for the 16-song album that serves as a reminder that all that glitters ain’t gold. She also previously released “Casseroles,” and “Prodigal Daughter” featuring Molly Tuttle from the new collection, which also includes collaborations with Charles Wesley Godwin and The Wilder Blue as well. Recorded with longtime collaborator (and now-husband) Jake Gear, the album is a rousing reflection on Whitters’ midwestern roots and the joys and struggles of small-town living. Other writers contributing to the project include Paul Sikes, Luke Dick, Josh Osborne, Bryan Simpson and more.

Corn Queen Track List:
1. “High On The Hog” (Hailey Whitters)
2. “Prodigal Daughter” (feat. Molly Tuttle) (Hailey Whitters, Paul Sikes, Bryan Simpson)
3. “Shotgun Wedding Baby” (Hailey Whitters, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Caroline Watkins)
4. “Helluva Heart” (Hailey Whitters, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
5. “High On A Heartbreak” (Hailey Whitters, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia, Hillary Lindsey)
6. “It’ll Do” (Hailey Whitters, Chris LaCorte, Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite)
7. “Hearsay” (Hailey Whitters, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
8. “Anything Like Me” (Hailey Whitters, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
9. “I Don’t Want You” (feat. Charles Wesley Godwin) (Hailey Whitters, Jon Nite, Gordie Sampson)
10. “The Nail” (Hailey Whitters, Bryan Simpson, Ryan Tyndell)
11. “Casseroles” (Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, James Slater)
12. “Wagon” (Trannie Anderson, Ben Hayslip, Seth Mosley)
13. “Wholesome” (Hailey Whitters, Luke Dick)
14. “White Limousine” (Hailey Whitters, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure)
15. “Corn Queen” (Hailey Whitters, Bobby Pinson)
16. “DanceMor” (feat. The Wilder Blue) (Hailey Whitters, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)

Lorie Hollabaugh
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