In 2011, Pistol Annies made their debut at the ACM Girls Night Out Awards, premiering their soon-to-be hit song “Hell On Heels.” The trio is now known for their witty, girl-power lyricism, and while their last album was the Christmas offering Hell of a Holiday from 2021, they’re still beloved in the country music world.
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Miranda Lambert strutted out on stage and started with an announcement. “I do have a surprise,” she began, addressing the audience. “Since it’s Girls Night Out, I’ve got a new band called Pistol Annies so I want to bring out the members. This is our very first debut ever, so please welcome to the stage my good girlfriends Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe.”
The crowd went wild as Presley and Monroe took the stage beside Lambert. The three were on equal footing on stage, not one of them outshining the other. They took their three-part harmonies with ease in the beginning. Then they broke out into their individual narratives, having fun with the clever song.
The audience bopped along to the tune, which is reminiscent of Miranda Lambert’s early revenge songs. However, “Hell On Heels” is more than revenge—it’s about taking unsuspecting and unfaithful men for all they’ve got. Carrie Underwood, another queen of revenge-esque songs, was seen in the crowd nodding her head along with the beat.
Watch Pistol Annies Debut at ACM Girls Night Out Awards in 2011
Near the end of the song, Miranda Lambert started a clap-along with the audience, who took that and ran with it as the Pistol Annies took an acapella approach. At the very end, the trio slows it down for a sultry conclusion. I’m hell on heels / Sugar daddy I’m coming for you—it’s more than the end of a clever song, it’s a warning.
The audience gave them a standing ovation, with many other country music women giving rapturous applause. Reba McEntire stood, a beaming smile on her face. Behind her, Little Big Town applauded as well. The cheers filling the venue made it sound like a festival set.
In addition to the Pistol Annies debut, other great performers took the stage. The Band Perry, Sara Evans, short-lived rockabilly duo The JaneDear Girls, The Judds, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood. There were a handful of male performers who took the stage as well, but with a name like Girls Night Out, let’s be real—it’s all about the ladies.
Featured Image by Terry Wyatt/UPI/Shutterstock
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