Chills.
Though mainstream country and country radio as a whole have failed to give female artists the time and attention they so desperately deserve, the independent and alt. country scene has been nothing short of thriving off the hard work and talent of women in the genre. From Sierra Ferrell and Molly Tuttle to Noeline Hofmann and Willow Avalon, you don’t have to look far to find stellar acts.
Recently, none other than Kaitlin Butts has become one of the buzziest female stars in the genre, thanks in part to the virality of her 2024 single, “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me).”
Known primarily for her feature on Flatland Cavalry’s certified-gold hit, “A Life Where We Work Out,” Butts has proven time and time again that she brings a whole lot more to the table than simply being a collaborator with her husband’s Texas band. Her 2022 project, What Else Can She Do, was downright phenomenal (#3 on our 2022 Albums of the Year list), and she followed it up with, in my opinion, her best work to date in 2024 on Roadrunner!
The past year, in particular, has been incredibly successful for the Oklahoma native. In addition to the success of “You Ain’t Gotta Die,” Butts would sign with Republic Records back in October. In case that wasn’t enough, she’d score her first-ever headlining gig at a festival at Oregon’s Jackalope Jamboree later this month and play on the platform stage at Nissan Stadium at CMA Fest, performing her brand new single, “Never Really Mine” and aforementioned hit single.
After performing on multiple stages, including the aforementioned platform stage at Nissan, the Chevy Riverfront stage and Spotify House at Blake Shelton’s bar, Ole Red, at CMA Fest, Butts would turn around days later and team up with the Academy of Country Music (ACM) for their “ACM Presents OUR COUNTRY” series and deliver a stunning acoustic cover of The Steeldrivers’ certified-platinum hit, “If It Hadn’t Been For Love.”
At this point, “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” has become a bit of a cult classic. Originally performed by The SteelDrivers back when the legendary Chris Stapleton was still with the bluegrass group, it received even more popularity when Adele cut the song as a bonus track for her Grammy-winning 21 record.
Given “If It Hadn’t Been For Love’s” status as one of the greatest murder ballads of the 21st century, it felt all but fitting for Butts — who is no stranger to the topic with stunning tracks like “White River,” her covers of “Hunt You Down” and “Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” as well as “Hypothetically Speaking” with Willow Avalon — to cover the song.
And if there was any doubt surrounding Butts’ status as one of the best rising artists in the genre right now, this cover should end it. It should go without saying that covering any Stapleton-led track is a tough task, but the Oklahoma native absolutely crushes it here on “If It Hadn’t Been For Love.” Though she’s flexed her vocals plenty of times throughout her career, mainly on tracks such as the aforementioned “White River,” as well as “Other Girls (Ain’t Havin’ Any Fun)” and her cover of Chappel Roan’s “Redwine Supernova,” this very well might have been her best performance to date. It’s seriously that good.
If you’re a fan of The Steeldrivers’ original, do not skip this performance.
Watch here:
Kaitlin Butts Tour Dates
June 18 – Bloomington, IL – Tailgate N’ Tallboys
June 20 – Lewisburg, WV – Wild Trails Festival
June 25 – Pendleton, OR – Jackalope Jamboree
June 26 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live
June 27 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Street Michelle Winery
July 9 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
July 10 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
July 11 – Canandaigua, NY – Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
July 16 – Whitefish, MT – Under the Big Sky Festival (Afterparty)
July 17 – Whitefish, MT – Under the Big Sky Festival
July 21 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
July 23 – Pikeville, KY – Appalachian Wireless Arena
July 24 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheater
July 25 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center
