HunterGirl’s newest single is “my childhood in three minutes.”

The Tennessee-born singer-songwriter and former American Idol runner-up debuted “Dirt” on Friday (October 10). The powerful storytelling anthem follows her label debut EP, Tennessee Girl, featuring her heartfelt ballad, “Ain’t About You.” HunterGirl, 27, told iHeartCountry “this song goes back to my roots.

“I remember my dad making a big coffee for himself and a little Swiss Miss hot chocolate for me,” she remembered. “We’d go to the gas station and grab a biscuit. I was just talking about those memories with a friend, not sitting down to write. He started playing something on guitar and I blurted out, ‘Gas station biscuit, thermos of Swiss Miss, caught a sunrise in a tree stand,’ and the song kind of fell out. I really loved it.

“This was one of the songs that happened when I wasn’t planning on writing,” she added in a caption on Instagram on Friday. “Just telling stories about growing up as a kid that turned into a song. Seeing the reactions when I first posted it encouraged me to record it. I’m so thankful to have worked on this track with so many good people. Here’s to all the people who made this song come to life and to y’all for all the love you’ve shown.”

“‘Dirt’ is about the little things that shape who you are — the places, people, and memories that keep you grounded no matter how far you go. For me, that’s Tennessee soil, my family, and all the lessons I learned growing up. I hope listeners hear their own roots in this song and are reminded of what makes life truly matter.”

The 2024 CMT Next Women of Country artist said “Dirt,” produced by Trent Willmon, was unexpected, but flowed naturally. The reflective lyric that speaks to her the most is “funny how a rearview look shows you just how good you had it,” reminding her of Sunday dinners, fishing with her grandfather, her faith and other cherished memories from her childhood.

HunterGirl, whose real name is Hunter Wolkonowski, shared a sneak peek of the song on TikTok earlier this year “just to see what would happen,” and she garnered responses from Luke Combs, Old Dominion and other powerhouse country star’s she’s looked up to over the years. It’s also sentimental for her family, who join her in reminiscing about her childhood in Winchester, Tennessee, located approximately 90 miles southeast of Nashville.

HunterGirl told iHeartCountry ahead of Tennessee Girl’s release that she started writing songs as a child, and appreciated “getting my thoughts out on paper, and how much it helped me just get things out. I call it my form of therapy.” She shared with iHeartCountry earlier this week that “songwriting is the constant” in her next chapter, moving forward in a fresh way while holding onto her authenticity. HunterGirl admits it can be “scary” to share new music — “like ripping a page from your diary” — but “I love country music, and the way I talk shows it.” The way fans react, whether that’s on social media or emotional moments during live shows, tells her “‘this feels like you.’ That’s the goal.”

“Sometimes life moves so fast it’s hard to stop and think how far you’ve come,” said HunterGirl, who’s written music and played many shows — including her debut at the historic Grand Ole Opry — since her run on Idol. She feels “re-centered” since writing “Dirt.” “I hope people feel that, too. With the music coming after this, I feel like I’ve finally stepped into my most authentic self. I put my boots on and stand ten toes down in who I am. …Keep your eyes and ears open. There may be new music sooner than you think.”

Podcasts