An accomplished fiddler and a songwriter of distinction,
Amanda Shires played a prominent role within Americana in the 2010s and 2020s, as both a side musician and solo artist and as a member of
the Highwomen.
Shires worked as a journeyman through the 2000s and into the 2010s, releasing indie albums and collaborating with the likes of
Neal Casal,
Justin Townes Earle,
Rod Picott, and
Todd Snider -- musicians who split the difference between Americana and alternative rock. Her breakthrough came when she joined
Jason Isbell's
the 400 Unit -- the two songwriters would later marry -- which not only brought her a Grammy but set the stage for the release of
To the Sunset, her first album to reach beyond the confines of Americana.
Shires' entry into the big leagues was confirmed when she joined
Brandi Carlile,
Maren Morris, and
Natalie Hemby in the country supergroup
the Highwomen, who released their eponymous debut in 2019.
A native of Lubbock, Texas,
Shires began playing violin around age ten, and by her teens was performing with former
Bob Wills backing ensemble the Texas Playboys. She released her debut solo album, Being Brave, in 2005. After relocating to Nashville,
Shires returned with both West Cross Timbers and
Sew Your Heart with Wires. In 2011, she appeared as a musician in the film Country Strong and released another LP, Carrying Lightning. Her fifth full-length album,
Down Fell the Doves, arrived in 2013, the same year she and
Isbell were married. They welcomed their first child in 2015.
Shires made her Billboard debut with 2016's
My Piece of Land, which landed on the rock, Americana, and independent albums charts. The following year, she earned further acclaim appearing alongside
Isbell and
the 400 Unit on their Grammy-winning album
The Nashville Sound. In 2018,
Shires contributed to
John Prine's
The Tree of Forgiveness and released the
Dave Cobb-produced
To the Sunset. The following year, she co-founded
the Highwomen, appearing alongside bandmates
Brandi Carlile,
Natalie Hemby, and
Maren Morris on their eponymous debut.
Shires was back with
Isbell and
the 400 Unit for 2020's
Reunions, which peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200. She released the seasonal album For Christmas in November 2021. ~ Matt Collar & Stephen Thomas Erlewine