How Bad Weather Inspired Jake Worthington and Miranda Lambert’s New Collaboration
Worthington recently became the second-ever signee to Big Loud Texas.
Miranda Lambert, Jake Worthington; Photo by Jessica Hood
Even the dreariest of weather can inspire a great song, at least that’s what Jake Worthington learned upon hearing his latest release, a collaboration with Miranda Lambert titled, “Hello Shitty Day.”
The new tune was penned earlier this year during a writer’s retreat with highly accredited songwriting giants Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure, and Lambert, who recalls the exact moment the inspiration struck her.
“It was one of my first times ever writing with Dean Dillon, who is obviously a hero of ours. When he’s in the room, you write a certain way and you sit up straighter and are careful about every word that you say,” she said during a recent conversation with Worthington that was shared via Instagram.
Lambert painted a clear picture of the moment she found Dillon standing outside smoking and saying “Hello, shitty day” while looking up to the gray skies above. A lightbulb went off in her head, causing her to tap Dillon and ask, “Can we write that?” she said with a laugh.
The melancholy ballad is a refreshing reflection on the feelings that come with bad weather days. It finds Worthington illustrating how the misery within his heart can also be matched by the world around him.
“Hello shitty day (hello, hello)/ Glad you came my way/ Brought all this pain and all of this rain/ Washed my joy away I was doin’ just fine/ In this world of mine/ Now the skies are all gray and all I can say is/ Hello shitty day,” the country stars sing on the chorus.
Lambert admitted that as soon as “Hello Shitty Day” was penned, the first person she thought of to sing it was Worthington. “Well, I’m glad I remind you of shitty days,” Worthington joked back.
The songstress’ ear picked him out not because of the somber story, but because of his traditional country vocals that she knew would pair perfectly with the steel-soaked melody and nostalgic sound reminiscent of that old-school country music that runs thick through Worthington’s catolog.
Of course, Worthington gave Lambert a “yes ma’am” and headed into Joy Moi’s studio to cut it. Lambert then agreed to feature her vocals on the track, thus providing it with another set of rich Texas vocals.
“It’s tough to describe the honor of having songwriters I look up to consider my voice a vehicle for songs like this one,” Worthington notes. “To have an artistic and creative force like Miranda join in, well that’s just a dream come true.”
“Hello Shitty Day” marks his third collaboration this year following, “Is It Cold In Here” with Reba McEntire on HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, and “Do It Anyway” with Jade Eagleson. Worthington will also join Brooks & Dunn on singing a reimagined version of their hit, “I’ll Never Forgive My Heart,” for their just announced project, Reboot II.
Worthington first got to announce and showcase the song during his sold-out Nashville show in August. It will likely remain a part of his upcoming live shows while serving as support for Kameron Marlowe this fall, as well as his early 2025 dates with Zach Top and Riley Green.
Worthington Signs To Big Loud Texas
On October 5, the pair of artists performed the new song at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater for Lambert’s MuttNation Benefit Show Music for Mutts. While on stage, Lambert announced that Worthington has been tapped as the newest signee of the label she co-founded with Jon Randall – Big Loud Texas.
“I’m really proud to say, I get to announce this from stage tonight,” Lambert started. “I’m a co-founder of a new label called Big Loud Texas, and our sole job is to keep the outlaw movement going and to keep the great stuff from the great state of Texas out there for the people. And as of last week, we got one of my favorite artists of all time on our label. I want y’all to welcome back to the stage my friend Jake Worthington! Did y’all hear him earlier? He is country as a biscuit, and I love it!”
“I’ve been both Big Loud and Texas through and true for a while now, so it sure feels good to make it official like this,” Worthington adds.
The rising star is the second artist to sign with Big Loud Texas, following Dylan Gossett who joined the family nearly a year ago. It’s clear that the label is more than excited to have another artist join the roster who will carry on the mission of creating timeless country music through Texas-born singer/songwriters.
“We are so glad to welcome Jake Worthington to Big Loud Texas!” VP of Big Loud Texas Brendon Anthony says. “Jake is 100% country through and through, and we could not be more excited to have him on board!”
“No words can describe my excitement of having Jake Worthington on the Big Loud Texas team. Every time I hear him sing, I’m reminded of why I fell in love with country music in the first place,” Big Loud Texas Co-Founder and President of A&R Jon Randall shares. “Grab a six pack and hang on, it’s about to get real.”
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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