Kaitlin Butts is living out one of the most exciting chapters of her career — and she’s doing it with a smile, a sharp wit and a whole lot of heart. The Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter, who has fast become one of country music’s most magnetic rising voices, has announced her forthcoming ‘Yeehaw Sessions EP,' arriving November 14, 2025, via her new label home, Republic Records.
The project marks Butts’ first release under the major label, signaling a bold new chapter for the artist who’s spent the last few years blazing her own trail in country music. “From releasing my album over a year ago as an independent artist, to having a viral song, to now signing a record deal with such a prestigious label like Republic Records, the journey has felt nothing short of surreal,” she shares. “I’m so inspired by the Republic team and how their vision aligns with the dreams that I’ve always had for myself.”
To introduce the ‘Yeehaw Sessions,' Butts has unveiled her latest single — a captivating cover of Jimmy Eat World’s early-2000s hit ‘The Middle.' Stripped down to bare acoustic guitar, fiddle, and dobro, Butts’ version transforms the pop-punk anthem into something raw and vulnerable, carried by her signature Oklahoma twang and emotional depth. “I was feeling particularly down about myself after some of those negative comments online,” she admits. “Then one night at karaoke, I heard someone sing ‘The Middle,’ and for the first time I really absorbed the lyrics. It reminded me that I’ve worked my entire life for this dream, and I’ll be damned if I let some keyboard warrior rain on my parade.”
Her music video for the song, directed by Chris Beyrooty, playfully nods to the original’s sense of freedom while giving it a country twist. “In Jimmy Eat World’s original music video, a girl shows up to a party where everyone is in their underwear,” Butts says with a laugh. “In this video, I wanted to pay tribute to that and throw my band in the back of a truck like we were on our way to that party. We shot it at Taylor Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, and captured something hilariously beautiful.”
The Yeehaw Sessions EP serves as a bright, spirited follow-up to Butts’ 2022 ‘Sad Yeehaw Sessions,' the project that first showcased her knack for heartfelt covers. “After releasing Roadrunner!, which features much happier songs, I wanted folks to know that there were brighter days ahead,” she explains. “We’ve created the antithesis of Sad Yeehaw Sessions — something upbeat, rowdy and fun. These are all cover songs that I’ve been performing live the last couple of years, and now they finally get their moment in the spotlight.”
Across the EP, Butts reimagines some of her favorite songs with her live band, breathing new life into Chappell Roan’s ‘Red Wine Supernova,' The Chicks’ ‘Sin Wagon,' and Don Williams’ ‘Tulsa Time.' She also revamps her own viral hit “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me)” with a burst of live-show energy.
Butts will celebrate the release of ‘Yeehaw Sessions' with a headline show at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth on November 14 — a fitting stage for an artist whose star is shining brighter than ever.
Yeehaw Sessions Tracklist:
- Red Wine Supernova
- Tulsa Time
- You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me)
- Sin Wagon
- The Middle
For the latest news and tour updates, visit kaitlinbutts.com or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @kaitlinbuttsmusic.
