Hailey Whitters Releases Heartfelt Single "Casseroles"
Hailey Whitters, the Iowa-born and Nashville-based country singer-songwriter, released her poignant new single "Casseroles" on January 17, 2025. This marks Whitters' first major solo release since her acclaimed 2023 EP "I'm In Love".
"Casseroles" explores themes of loss, grief, and resilience, with the lyrics painting a vivid picture of the aftermath of tragedy, focusing on the moment when well-wishers stop bringing food and move on, while those left behind are still grappling with their loss. Feelings that resonated strongly with Whitters, who experienced her own personal family tragedy with the loss her brother, "Remembering that moment was what made this song hit so heavy for me. What happens when the casseroles stop coming.... As heavy and somber as the lyric and melody is, I also think there’s hope in the message and pray that it lands between ears that need to hear it.”
Whitters, who hails from Shueyville, Iowa, a town with a population of just 600, has been making waves in the country music scene since her move to Nashville at the age of 17. Her journey in the music industry has been one of perseverance and determination. She spent years working multiple jobs to support her musical ambitions, including stints as a nanny, receptionist, and waitress.
Her breakthrough came with the release of her album "Raised" in March 2022, which garnered widespread acclaim and appeared on over 15 year-end best-of lists. The album's lead single, "Everything She Ain't," became Whitters' first top 20 hit at country radio and debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Whitters' success continued into 2023 when she won the Academy of Country Music Award for New Female Artist of the Year and was nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. She has also made notable television appearances, including her late-night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and performances on The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Today Show.
In addition to her solo work, Whitters has collaborated with various artists. She recently worked with Max McNown, Evan Honer, and Brooks & Dunn. In November 2024, she had a full-circle moment when she supported Alan Jackson on his final tour date, having previously co-written his 2017 single "The Older I Get".
As Whitters continues to make her mark in the country music world, she remains connected to her roots. She closed out 2024 with two sold-out shows at her hometown honky-tonk, DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher, Iowa. Looking ahead, Whitters is set to perform at several music festivals in 2025, including the inaugural Sand in My Boots festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and the Under the Big Sky Music Festival in Whitefish, Montana.
