I’d say there are a lot of people in the country music world that wish they had wrote “Feathered Indians.”
Unfortunately for other country artists (but fortunately for country music fans), the song was written by and belongs to the incomparable Tyler Childers. There aren’t many people that can bring the song to life like he can, though Hailey Whitters wasn’t half bad when she took a swing at it.
Covering another artist’s song can be intimidating, but if it’s done the right way, it can be a very flattering showcase of respect. Obviously, Luke Combs has handled his cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” with tremendous grace, and a more recent cover of the late great Tom Petty’s “American Girl” by Dierks Bentley reimagined the song, but still managed to honor the original.
In this case, there’s not an official recorded cover from Whitters just yet. The talented country artist posted a clip of her version of Childers’ “Feathered Indians” on her Instagram, with Whitters playing guitar along with backing instruments from some of her band members.
Whitters and her bandmates were certainly having fun with the cover, and as I mentioned earlier, she sounded very comfortable singing it. The only way she could have been more comfortable with it was if “Feathered Indians” was her own song, and based on the caption she left along with the post, she’s working on it:
“Mr. Childers, can I adopt this song please?”
If Childers doesn’t let Whitters “adopt” the song, maybe a duet could at least be worked out?
I’d definitely like to hear the polished vocals from Whitters paired up with Childers more coarse, rugged voice that pairs so well with his songwriting.
And while we’re talking about him, you might as well press play on the original version of “Feathered Indians” below:
