Big Dreams and Small Towns Collide in Hailey Whitters’ ‘Heartland’ Video
Sometimes you've just gotta let your "heart land."
Hailey Whitters reconnects with her rural roots in the official video for her new single, “Heartland,” capturing the soul-feeding joy of coming home at the crossroads of big dreams and small towns.
Directed by Harper Smith and filmed in the indie-country standout’s home state of Iowa, the clip follows Whitters on a trip back to her hometown of Shueyville — and to the tiny dancehall where her parents used to hang out. In grainy ’90s VHS style, she takes that deeply-personal stage in triumphant fashion, bringing the message of “Heartland” to life. Co-written by the rising star with Nicolle Galyon and Forrest Whitehead, it’s all about chasing dreams and striving to become something more than you are, but eventually learning to embrace the blessings of life as it is.
That’s exactly the lesson she learned while making her fantastic The Days EP — which features some powerful coming-of-age wisdom and a sound that recalls the organic tones of the Dixie Chicks — and lately she’s taken it on the road with Maren Morris, Little Big Town and more.
“Despite being nine hours away, I still have a strong connection to the Heartland where I was born and raised,” Whitters says. “You can hear it throughout my music and I wanted to bring listeners home with me to see and experience it firsthand.”
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After finishing up her tours with Morris, Little Big Town, Brent Cobb and Lori McKenna, Whitters ender her year by being named as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country class of 2020. She’ll tour next year in support of Jordan Davis on his Trouble Town Tour from late January through March, and will also appear at this year’s Stagecoach Music festival on April 26.
