- ACM’s new digital OUR COUNTRY celebrates the songs and stories of country music.
- The series will feature Jo Dee Messina, Jackson Dean, and Craig Campbell, among other compelling voices.
- This week, singer Kaitlin Butts talks about her influences and covers a song by The SteelDrivers.
The Academy of Country Music just launched a new digital series called OUR COUNTRY, and it’s a must-watch for any country music fan. The series honors the roots of the genre while shining a light on some of its most compelling voices through acoustic performances and intimate storytelling.
“OUR COUNTRY is about more than performance—it’s about connection,” said Lauren Burchett, Academy of Country Music Head of Strategic Partnerships & Revenue. “This series gives artists the space to share the songs and stories that shaped them while reminding audiences of country music’s history and its unique ability to unite people through shared experiences, emotion, and storytelling.”
Today, Kaitlin Butts shares her voice on the series (available now on the ACM YouTube page and social media accounts). Fresh off her show-stopping debut performance on the CMA Fest platform stage, the Tulsa native sits down to talk about creating a connection to her fans. She credits The SteelDrivers as an influence and puts her own spin on “If It Hadn’t Been for Love.”
Last year, Kaitlin went viral for her cheeky song “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me),” and she’s been going nonstop since then, joining Lainey Wilson on her Whirlwind tour, appearing in Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” video, and taking her talents overseas for her European Cowgirl Experience. She just released her newest song, “Never Really Mine.”
Watch Kaitlin’s full episode of OUR COUNTRY now on YouTube. Wyatt Flores kicked off the new series last week with a performance of The Fray’s “How to Save a Life,” and upcoming artists include Jo Dee Messina, Jackson Dean, and Craig Campbell.
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers pop culture news including country music, Yellowstone, and all things HGTV, plus gift guides and product reviews. She has been with Country Living for more than 11 years. Before that, she worked for Southern Living. The Indiana University grad also stitches up the cross-stitch pattern for every issue of the magazine.
