Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters

Ep. 182 - AMANDA SHIRES ("Gone for Christmas")

Episode Summary

Our guest on this episode of Songcraft is Amanda Shires. The Grammy winner who was named Emerging Artist of the Year for 2017 at the Americana Honors & Awards joins us to chat about her work alongside Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Maren Morris in the supergroup the Highwomen; her creative relationship with husband and 400 Unit bandmate Jason Isbell; and what she’s learned about songwriting over the years that helped shape a truly original and iconoclastic new holiday album.

Episode Notes

PART ONE
Paul and Scott talk about The Beatles' Get Back documentary from a songwriting perspective

PART TWO
Our in-depth interview with Amanda Shires

ABOUT AMANDA SHIRES
Singer, songwriter, fiddle player, and Americana hero Amanda Shires has released eight albums as a solo artist, in addition to her work as a member of both Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and the supergroup The Highwomen alongside Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Maren Morris. The Grammy winner was named Texas Music magazine’s Artist of the Year in 2012, and was named Emerging Artist of the Year for 2017 at the Americana Honors & Awards. The Lone Star State native launched her career playing fiddle with The Texas Playboys before going on to tour with Billy Joe Shaver and others. At Shaver’s suggestion, she eventually relocated to Nashville to pursue songwriting. While getting established, she worked as a side musician with Justin Townes Earle before joining Jason Isbell’s band, The 400 Unit. Shires and Isbell married in 2013 in a ceremony officiated by past Songcraft guest Todd Snider. Amanda was featured on Luke Combs’ 2020 single “Without You,” and is currently getting attention for her unorthodox holiday album called For Christmas, which features nine original songs, a cover of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” and a reworking of “Silent Night” with all new lyrics.