Hey hey!
It’s been far too long since I’ve sat down and shared the latest events in my life… A lot has happened in the past few months and I think it’s about time I filled you in.
Before I start the 2 months worth of reminiscing, I have to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone who is STILL requesting my single, “My List”. I can’t believe it’s still getting airplay over 4 months later…you guys are so amazing! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
In April, the debut album I’ve been talking about was finally released. I had a CD Release concert in my home town of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on April 18 to an energetic crowd of 500. I had my 5 man band rockin’ away, we had some half-time entertainment from Lindsay Molson’s School of Dance and the Potluck in the Basement Singers, and we gave away some prizes such as CD’s and 2 second row floor seats to the Emerson Drive concert thanks to EnCana Events Center. The night started out, well shall we say not as I had hoped, as my CD’s were ‘misplaced’ in the shipping process; they figured somewhere between Manitoba and Ontario. Need less to say, I was not the happiest of people that day until the show started. But as they say, “The Show Must Go On”, and as soon as the band started their intro to the first song, “Brand New Day”, I had forgotten about the unfortunate events and turned over to a much happier entertainer looking out to Unchaga Hall full of familiar faces. (Thank you to everyone who showed up to help me celebrate this night!)
The CD’s did show up, just 3 days too late. But on the up-side, they were there in time for the Annual Kiwanas Trade Show in Dawson Creek. I had a booth set up were we sold t-shirts, CD’s, and autograph posters. We had so much fun taking pictures and chatting with people; thanks to everyone who stopped by!
May 6 was the Emerson Drive Concert in Dawson Creek. I was looking forward to this night for a while as I am a huge Emerson Drive Fan and it was time that I got to meet these talented people. Thanks to my Producer and Emerson Drive Bass Player, Arlo Gilliam (http://www.myspace.com/arlogilliammusic), I got to bring my family backstage for the night to hang out with the guys. The Best Part? I got to do 3 songs off my new album to start the show off before Marlee Scott (http://www.myspace.com/marleescott)followed by the guys of the hour(http://www.myspace.com/emersondrive). Arlo played the guitar for me and I have to say it was a pretty cool night! If you haven’t seen ED live in concert, shame on you! They’re Amazing!
June 2 I flew out to my most favourite place in the world: the Disney Land of Country Music…Nashville, TN! I had such a fun trip, despite the airlines losing my guitar and returning it in rough shape, (what’s with me and getting my possessions lost?!?) it was an amazing trip.
My second night there I sang at Nashville Palace, and a writer on “Never The Bride”, Isaac Rich (http://www.myspace.com/ikerichmusic) came out to here me sing. The highlight of this night though, was when Isaac asked if I’d sing in his monthly writer’s night he puts on; taking the stage with American Idol star Kristen McNamara (http://www.myspace.com/kristenmcnamara) and fellow Canadian and Get Rich Talent Search Winner, Jaida Dreyer (http://www.myspace.com/jaidadreyer). Isaac also set me up with his good friend and wicked guitar player (like next Keith Urban), Billy Dawson (http://www.myspace.com/billydawson) to play for me at this writers night at 12th and Porter…(He’s Amazing…check him out!). It was such a great night, I met so many people and also met up again with Big Vinny from Trailer Choir (http://www.myspace.com/trailerchoir) and John Papa from the Mulch Brothers (http://www.myspace.com/mulchbrothers). I sang 2 songs off the album, “Last Flame” and the song that Isaac and Tebey Ottoh (http://www.myspace.com/tebey) wrote, “Never the Bride”. It was a great evening cut short due to a tornado watch…yikes. OH well, I survived to tell about it haha. It was such an honour to play in a round along side those talented girls, and it was such a great experience…Thanks Ike!
On another night in Nashville, I sang at Dan McGuinnes Pub, as did the very talented Kelly Archer (Brand New Day) (http://www.myspace.com/kellyarcher).
I also did a photo shoot with Shawna Thompson (http://www.myspace.com/shawnathompson) from the awesome duo, Thompson Square. Her husband sang back ground vocals on my album and he came along on the shoot to help out. We went up and down Broadway looking for old buildings and odd things like random red and lime green doors, or elevators haha (check out the posted pictures from the shoot!).
This trip consisted of doing a lot of networking and writing. I had writing sessions with Kenneth Duncan, the next big thing in TN,(http://www.myspace.com/kennethduncan), Mark Houser, the very talented writer who introduced me to Arlo last summer, (http://www.myspace.com/markhousersongs), Arlo Gilliam, Daniel Kleindienst (http://www.myspace.com/bannermusicpublishing)and Steve Mitchell (http://www.myspace.com/grinlikeadogsongs). We cranked out some pretty cool tunes, one of which I’m particularly proud of that I’m going to be performing for the first time on July 3 at Expert Mobile Extreme Country Fever. I also met up with Lance Dary, Randy Travis’ guitarist I met last August when I opened for them.
My Mama and Sister in law, Kari, also joined me in Nashville during my second week there. It was their first time and they were super excited to see the place I’ve fallen in love with and of course, my Mom was mainly there to see if she couldn’t find and convince George Strait to marry her (as were most women there…). We went to CMA Fest, the biggest Country Music Festival in the world, seeing the greatest acts in the industry today. It was a lot of fun, my favourites being Trace Adkins, Martina McBride, Luke Bryan, and Jason Aldean.
One of my last days there, I ran into Billy Dawson again, and he offered me a spot in a round he was playing in at the World Famous Blue Bird Cafe (where Taylor Swift got her start). He played for me and we did “Last Flame” in a round that night to a packed solid crowd at the venue, it was so much fun! Thanks Billy!
SO…that was my life over the past two months. Now I’m back in Canada, bouncing around between work in Prince George, home in Dawson Creek, and my band in Grande Prairie. On July 3, I’ll take the stage for a 45 minute set to start the always super fun Canada Long Weekend festival in Grande Prairie, AB; Expert Mobile Extreme Country Fever. The weekend following that, I’ll be taking to the Little Big Stage at Merritt Mountain Music Festival in Merritt, BC. August 1, I’ll be doing a 90 minute set at Griz Fest in Tumbler Ridge, BC. I can’t wait for my summer to begin; it’s going to be so much fun, hope to see you out at some shows!
Thanks for your support! It means the world 
~Heidi