Callie McCullough weighs her options in her new single and video What If I Don’t — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
On her first release since 2021, the Canadian songbird and third-generation musician introduces a whole new side of her artistry with a sassy, fun and whimsical track that playfully challenges the norms and expectations that come with marriage, having babies, making money and getting older.
“You hit a certain age and it feels like there’s pressure coming from every direction that it’s time to settle down,” McCullough explains. “It’s all stories of the biological clock, running out of time, and being afraid of getting older… I for one think getting older is going to be a blast and I can’t wait to continue doing whatever the hell I want for the rest of my life.”
Penned by by Callie and Scotty Kipfer, and produced by Grammy nominee Dave Brainard (Brandy Clark, Jamey Johnson, Jerrod Niemann), the track features banjo, dobro and harmonica that give us grassy textures woven together by handclaps, drums, loose groove, and three-part harmonies. But the real stars of the show are McCullough’s vivacious personality and angelic voice, combining to create an infectious and downright refreshing sound — and a taste of what we can expect in her next collection of new music.
A modern singer-songwriter inspired by timeless classics and old-school country, McCullough has chased her own unique muse for years, making contemporary roots music that nods to the legends who came before her. It’s a sound anchored in honest storytelling and McCullough’s angelic voice, whose Alison Krauss-worthy tone and Dolly Parton-sized beauty stand in contrast to her dry humor and larger-than-life personality.
Born into a musical family, her childhood home was filled with inspiration, and it wasn’t long before she was contributing to the family business. She took to the road, spending nearly a decade touring with other projects before landing in Nashville, armed with the vocal chops of an established pro, the fighting spirit of an independent musician, and quick-witted humour that belied the sad tone of her ballads.
Her 2020 debut album After Midnight — featuring first-class picking from members of the Grammy-winning bluegrass band Union Station and western-swing supergroup The Time Jumpers — quickly put her on the map, garnering a Canadian Country Music Association nomination for Alternative Country Album of the Year, along with three CMAO Nominations: Roots Artist of the Year, Rising Star and Songwriters of the Year.
Watch the video for What If I Don’t above, check out more music from Callie McCullough below, and get to know her on her website, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
