The Highway Women fire on all cylinders and never fail to wow their audience and leave them wanting more.
Interview conducted on November 25, 2020
By Dan Locke
The Highway Women is an all-female country blend (country, rock, pop) music band like no other bringing a musical movement to support other women in country music and beyond
Members: Jess Paige, Drew Haley, Kristen Kae & Bailey James
Bailey What is your upbringing?
Small blue-collar town in PA. I had a great childhood, always outside playing!
Kristen How did you discover music?
I grew up with music, especially church music.
Drew How did you start to write music?
I always had a pen or pencil in my hand.
Bailey- How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
When I was seven, I got a red electric guitar. Yes, I still have it.
Bailey What is your favorite guitar now. And does it have a name
Taylor acoustic electric. Nope it is just my guitar.
Kristen- How did you learn to sing?
I was always singing; I sang before I talked.
Kristen- How was it to perform the National Anthem?
A true honor, especially because my mother is a veteran and I am a proud American!
Jess What was your first performance like?
Scary but fun and exciting. I opened up for a small band in my hometown in Alabama
Drew What makes a good songwriter?
Write from the heart and write with other great songwriters.
What was the title of your first original song as a band? Did you record it?
The Devil, was a song written for us by Cory Singer. We recorded it in 2018.
How did you get your name?
Was it a play on words for the Highwayman (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings)? Yes, it was a nod to those amazing artists.
You will be releasing an EP soon. Can you tell me about it?
Our EP releases on Friday November 27th! It’s called The Highway and features all of our released singles to date.
You all have careers outside of the band. Can each of you tell me your latest?
Drew – I work for an estate sale company
Kristen – I deliver food through a few apps. Typical Nashville artist job. It’s flexible so it works with my music career
Bailey – I am a full-time musician
Jess – I am a nanny
How do you stay healthy while touring?
We eat flaming hot Cheetos; they say spice is good for metabolism
Are you ready to play at Willie Nelson FarmAid if asked?
Let’s go!
Over our short time as a group, you have performed with another of artist. Do you see yourself as session players?
No but we do like to collaborate with others.
What are you feeling about streaming music?
Different strokes for different folks. Some people like streaming so we stream, some people like downloading so we download.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Love vinyl but in reality, most people no longer have record players.
Because of the Me-Too Movement has the treatment of woman performers gotten better?
I think in general women in the music industry are enforcing fair treatment. We just started our collaborative called “Be a Highway Woman” which is an empowerment platform for women in music.
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
I think we are seeing uprisings because voices have been suppressed far too long. There is always unrest before good changes are made in most scenarios.
What is the mental health situation of the United State? I think globally people are weary but we will all overcome this and come out stronger and hopefully wiser. How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?
PUT ON YOUR MASKS AND STAY HOME WHEN YOU CAN
Do you think kids should go back to school this fall?
Yes
Bailey What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Rocketman – Elton John. It was one of my brother’s favorite songs and it reminds me of him. He passed three years ago.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I am sure we will see same but people love music and artists like performing so I think there will be MORE music in the future. As an industry we have some ground to make up and a whole lot of anxious fans.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
writing, family time, recording, eating flaming hot Cheetos lol
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
Kristen – I do not watch tv, just Youtube and tik tok
Bailey – Greys Anatomy
Drew – No TV here, just songwriting
Jess – I am a documentary nerd
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think it will force people to be more creative and start using their Youtube channels as a vehicle to connect with their social followers.
With no real live music (mostly virtual shows) except for things like Drive-In Theater shows with crowds for the past 6 months, what do you think will be the future of music?
We will come back stronger
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?
You need to know musicians find a way!
Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
No
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
I think time will tell. We are determined human beings and as musicians, we are used to sacrificing.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
We would like to think NOT
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Touring, making more music and winning some awards because of our amazing fans.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Just want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. WEAR YOUR MASKS
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