Heidi Newfield

 V
Location:
Nashville, Tennessee, US
Type:
Artist / Band / Musician
Genre:
Country / Southern Rock / Folk
Site(s):
Label:
Curb
Type:
Indie
Heidi Newfield's voice and presence in country music first established her as the center stage star of Trick Pony's emergence in 2001. The hot new trio exploded as the biggest new sight and sound attraction of the early decade.
Armed with a collaborative history of platinum selling albums, Top 20 singles, ACM and AMA Awards to her credit, her distinctive voice and high-octane energy launched forward into a much-anticipated solo career. She was soon back with the 2008 release of her debut solo album, What Am I Waiting For, which birthed her memorable, self-penned solo hit single "Johnny & June", which went on to achieve RIAA certified gold status now having sold of seven hundred thousand singles.
More than just a pretty face, the diminutive blonde who became famous for her explosive stage presence, trademark fashion, work ethic and dedication to fans, Newfield has always had a handle on her own purpose driven life.
Fast forward to spring 2012 and Heidi Newfield is now poised with a fresh round of new music, as the flagship artist on Sidewalk Records, and a breathtaking new single that's destined to etch yet another successful notch in an already notable and respected career.
Written by hit makers Jeffrey Steele and Jeremy Popoff (lead guitarist for heavy metal band, Lit) and produced by Blake Chancey (The Dixie Chicks, Montgomery Gentry), "Why'd You Have To Be So Good" unfolds a true story of love found and tragically lost; a theme Newfield feels will move listeners and strike a deeply universal emotional chord, as it did for her upon first hearing. "I was so touched when I recorded this song, that it was all I could do to hold back a flood of emotions and memories of lost loved ones, including the untimely passing of both my Mother and my Father. I can't help but think the beautiful message this song conveys, is totally relatable to almost everyone out there listening".
Growing up on a quarter horse ranch in the heart of the Sonoma wine country in northern California, Newfield has always given her parents credit for lovingly nurturing the talent that would emerge into major industry awareness and national stardom. With a heartfelt desire to evolve creatively as a solo artist, the stage has now been set for a new chapter in the novel that is ultimately Heidi's own musical journey.
"I've always believed that if I just follow my heart and my instinct.I will make records that are interesting, dynamic, real, and relatable. People want to FEEL something!" says Newfield. For her, the new single that holds deep personal meaning. "Why'd You Have To Be So Good" leaves a strong emotional vibe in the air.just like when I first heard it. The following day, I found out it was on hold for Tim and Faith.and later, other great acts.I was heartbroken!! I remember thinking, 'maybe this song will come back around to me one day and find it's way home'.now here we are!"
As all good things do come back around, it's good that Heidi Newfield is holding her promise to listeners, country radio and her fans alike…to keep her own brand of hit Country Music on the radio and rolling down the road for years to come.
"This project is full of relatable material that I am a fan of myself," Heidi reveals candidly while silencing her cell phone and simultaneously disregarding the tousled curls falling in her face. In her presence, you can't help but notice her elegant, petite frame that hints of tomboy ease. Yet to elaborate on her inherent talents, Heidi prepares to refute the predisposed perceptions about her as an artist to explain what she's been working on musically. "This collection of songs is the soundtrack to my life and is truly centered on quality musicianship, songwriting, and authenticity of the music." For a female vocalist that has survived the transition from 'lead singer of a band' to 'solo act', that is certainly a mouthful but one that is quite easy to swallow. Substance, as one might note, has never been Heidi's problem. A true contender in the female country music format, this beloved vocalist is finally garnering the attention she deserves after paying her dues for the better part of her career.
"This time around, we're taking our time and the opportunity to 'road test' potential songs on tour before we record them," adds Heidi with a confidence that explicitly implies every song chosen is one she's proud to put her name on.
As with anything, the more you practice the better you get. "Funny how that works!" Heidi laughs in agreement as she has been writing music from an early age. "Writing has always come very natural to me, but I have really tried to hone my skills and surround myself with amazing writers I have learned so much from during this process." Heidi contests that this new body of work really showcases that hard work. "I have enough songs now for three records, but we are choosing just the ones that are a perfect fit for the flow of the whole thing! No matter what happens down the road, I will always be a writer."
In addition to the self-penned tracks, a few jewels have fallen into Heidi's hands from prominent writers like Keith Gattis, Jeffrey Steele, and Jeremy Popoff. Gattis played stone-cold country, three-quarter time track, "Textin' Texas" one afternoon for Heidi and she immediately fell in love with the clever, yet quality, tune that brilliantly combines the past (musically) with a refreshing, yet distinctive, cool twist lyrically. Then there's Jeffrey Steele and Jeremy Popoff's track, "Why'd You Have To Be So Good'"—a track Heidi hopes stands as the foundation for her sophomore solo release. "I knew the moment I heard 'Why'd You Have To Be So Good,' that it was mine," says Heidi. "It's one of those songs that said everything I've been feeling and it kinda gets right to it. It's about losing someone who has perhaps been a big impact on your life and given you faith in yourself. If you've ever lost anyone, it kinda hits you where you live."
You could call it d�j� vu as Heidi recalls a similar experience when she recorded "Johnny and June," written by Newfield, Stephony Smith and Deanna Bryant. "From the moment that we started in on it, we all three just sort of looked at each other and went 'ok wait a minute—this is really a special song,'" Heidi recounts. "I still listen to 'Johnny and June' now, well over a year after it came out, and it still affects me. I still get chill bumps, and I will be proud to sing that song the rest of my career," Heidi says with a smile before belting the chorus to an unassuming audience of onlookers… "I wanna love like Johnny and June / Rings of fire burnin' with you / I wanna walk the line, walk the line / til the end of time…"
Growing up on a horse farm in Healdsburg, CA, in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, Heidi's talent was lovingly nurtured by her mother and step-father. Every trail ride, every horse show and rodeo was set to a soundtrack of Ernest Tubb, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Keith Whitley, Waylon Jennings, and all the great traditionalists. Later—to her mother's dismay—Heidi's two older sisters turned her on to the great rock bands of the 60's and 70's: The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Tina Turner, The Who, Led Zepplin, Springsteen, and AC/DC. Around that same time, Heidi discovered traditional blues artists Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, and Etta James on her own and began playing the harmonica, attracted by what she calls "the most lonesome sound on the planet." Today, Heidi's soulful, distinctive voice is a direct result of those inspirations. "These are just the skeletons of the artists that pulled me in and guided me so far. If you were to shake them all up, you would get an idea of the direction of this new record. Let the country, be country; the rock-n-roll, rock 'em; blues it up; and add some soul. That's the only way I know to be."
With direct heritage and collaborations of the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Hank Jr, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and more, Heidi is taking the past, paying attention to the details, and creating music that embodies it all. Now, in the studio with Blake, Heidi notes that her new experiences are once again acting as the playbook for this new chapter in her life.
"I am excited about the natural musical evolution of this next record. This time around, I want to add a little more tempo and extra edge to these songs. If you don't color outside the box a little, people won't pay attention, and as Blake and I record, I want to keep the integrity and creative vibe going," Heidi elaborates. "I'd like to think we are moving towards a time where people want the real thing again, and I'm one of them." But at the center of it all, Heidi bases everything on believability and pure enjoyment for the fans with her music, delivery and performance being the foundation for who she is as an entertainer. "I believe in putting on a show. I am a writer, and I always push myself to write something that will last through time. I am a musician who appreciates the perfections and imperfections of a great record. I am a singer who hopes to make a difference with my voice. When you turn on your radio and hear my music on the dial, I want it to hit you within the first note so you say to yourself, 'I've gotta turn Heidi up.'"
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