Reviews

Hailey Whitters Corn Queen

By Brian Rock

Hailey Whitters follows in the footsteps of country royalty on her fourth album, Corn Queen. The moniker was originally bestowed on her by fans due to her Iowa roots. Whitters has embraced the title even as she draws comparisons to former queens of country from Dolly Parton to Tanya Tucker all the way up to Lainey Wilson. Her irrepressible energy, her lyrical wit, and her girl next door voice continue to resonate on the 16 songs on this “queen-sized” album.

“High on the Hog,” starts the set with a Cajun-infused honky-tonker worthy of your favorite dance hall. With fiddles flailing, Whitters reveals the hidden side of “overnight success.” Singing, “This thirty-five hundred Chevy rust bucket is pulling on to the strip. My eyes are gonna need gels and Visine after pulling a graveyard shift;” she shows that there’s much more to being a performer than awards ceremonies and late-night talk shows. Despite her cheery vocal delivery, Whitters declares, “I’ve been fighting my way, tooth and cherry red nails; biting ‘em down to the quick to keep the damn thing on the rails.” The secret to making it as a performing artist is to make the incredibly difficult seem absolutely effortless. Through years of honing her craft on the road, Haily Whitters is able to do just that. Finally making it to the top, she sighs, “It’s a heavy crown but it don’t get me down, ‘cause I’m sittin’ pretty high on the hog.”

Proving that success hasn’t gone to her head, Whitters gives a tongue-in-cheek glimpse of a beauty queen more than a few years removed from her title on, “Corn Queen.” She continues the Cajun fiddle strains as she sings about, “Pom-Pom Tammy in her single mom Chevy, fillin’ out her not so skinny jeans.” The lively two stepper celebrates finding a lasting love after the beauty of youth begins to fade. Whitters enlists Molly Tuttle to assist with the coming-of-age bluegrass story, “Prodigal Daughter.” She embraces Little Feat style southern funk and old school values on, “Wholesome.” She adds touches of Piedmont blues to the accusatory, “The Nail.” She explores cosmic cowboy vibes and Bonnie Rait, “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” sentiments on, “Hearsay.” “DanceMor,” pays homage to Zac Brown’s “Chicken Fried” with a celebration of the little things in life. “It’ll Do,” “Anything Like Me,” and “Wagon,” are county anthems of love, life, and liquor. The Celtic tinged, “Shotgun Wedding Baby,” celebrates the consequences of those things. Taking pride in her provenance, she sings, “Love is love. Drunk is Drunk. And you’re lookin’ at what happens when you mix ‘em both up.” With it’s lively fiddle, mandolin and pedal steel, the song celebrates life, no matter how it begins.

Turning to ballads, Whitters show off her softer side and her resilience on, “Helluva Heart. High on a Heartbreak,” turns to the bottle in an attempt to bottle up heartache. “White Limousine,” is a wistful small-town fantasy of love and luxury. “I Don’t Want You,” featuring Charles Wesley Godwin, recalls the yearning torment of Lady Antebellum’s, “Need You Now.”  Whitters shows real emotional depth on the poignant, “Casseroles.” Exploring the loss of a loved one, she sings, “Joe lost his wife. He’s lost in the blue. He wonders what he’s gonna do when the casseroles stop coming.” Beautifully and brutally honest, Whitters captures the full gut punch of grief after all the neighbors, church congregants, and well wishers stop coming by; the moment when the finality of aloneness finally hits. It is masterful storytelling that underscores the inexpressible emotional fiber that connects us all. Covering time honored themes in a variety of styles, Hailey Whitters is a country boss; or in this case, a Corn Queen.

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Brian Rock

Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.
Brian Rock

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