Heidi Holton
I am not sure how I came to learn about Heidi Holton, but I am glad I did. Heidi is a Blues Singer & Musician. Heidi doesn’t have your typical Blues sounding voice, but she has a beautiful voice, very unique. I would say that Heidi’s style of music would closely related to The Piedmont Blues. Also, with a little bit of Folk sound to her music. Listening to Heidi sing you can really get a sense of the feeling that the song is trying to set, in a way that most singers don’t do. I have Heidi’s album “Mockingbird Blues” which is one of Heidi’s original songs, which there are 6 out of the 10 on this album. All of Heidi’s original songs stand up to the covers she does from some of Blues Greats. So, let’s talk about Heidi’s guitar playing, here is where we really get the Blues sound from, Heidi is an amazing slide guitar player. Heidi is right up there some of the great Slide guitar players: Like Johnny Winter, Elmore James, and Ry Cooder to name a few. I feel that Heidi Holton is more then worthy to be in the amazing company of other Female Blues Singers as Bonnie Raitt, Memphis Minnie, Trixie Smith, the list goes on. If you have not heard Heidi Holton sing, let just say this I think you should. Once you do you will think to yourself, WOW she is the real deal. Here are a couple websites that you can find Heidi Holton’s music. Also I was able to ask Heidi some questions and here are the answers, enjoy. https://heidiholton.com/home https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4CTjE4oAiVvUejVd5kiaQ 1. How long have you been playing music? Since 1986! I played piano as a young kid and then bought a guitar when I was 15 and never looked back. 2. How many bands have you been in? Dozens. Some great, some terrible. Now I mostly perform as a solo artist, but there’s nothing as magical as playing in a band. 3. Where were you born? Alachua County, Florida but I grew up in St. Augustine and spent my high school years in western NC. 4. Are you self-taught? Yes and no. I was self-taught at first. I took a few lessons at a local music shop and then immediately started writing songs and playing in bands. When I was in my early 20s, I found a mentor (Jorma Kaukonen) who took me under his wing and really showed me how to play. At that point, it was more than just “here’s how you play a G chord” and more about “here’s how you become a professional.” 5. Who are your biggest influences? I have so many. My biggest mentor/influencers are obviously Jorma Kaukonen and Rory Block (who produced and performed on my latest record). In terms of songwriting, it’s Bob Dylan, hands down. Followed by Tom Waits and Neil Young. In terms of attitude, David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Brian Molko are my heroes. But I’m also extremely influenced by literary fiction and fine art. Karl Ove Knausgaard and Haruki Murakami are two of my favorite authors, while Anthony McCall’s light sculptures bring me to my knees. 6. What style of music do you consider yours? I consider my music to be blues-based folk/rock. I play blues, but I came up in the 90’s grunge scene and that definitely left its mark. 7. What was your first gig? How old were you? I was like 15, maybe 16, and played at a biker bar in Ducktown, TN with my southern rock band. 8. What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? Go for it. Dive in. Be humble, but don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. 9. Do you write your own songs? Yes. 10. What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal record collection? I’m a huge metal fan. Especially slow tempo, stoner/grunge metal. I played heavy metal and punk rock in my 20s. It’s not really surprising to people who know me personally and have been with me on my musical journey from the beginning. But people hearing me for the first time might not put two and two together. 11. What would you be doing if playing music was not an option? That scenario actually presented itself during the pandemic and I ended up having to figure out a plan B. I’m a licensed massage therapist and yoga instructor and I currently manage a wellness program at an ashram. 12. Besides your own songs, what is your favorite song to perform? Statesboro Blues by Blind Willie McTell 13. If you were strictly a songwriter, who would you like to see sing your songs? Brian Molko from Placebo, Don Chambers, or Fiona Boyes
1 Comment
Shelly Stephens
11/16/2022 04:17:28 pm
We know Heidi for several years and really love her and her music.
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AuthorHello, My name is Michael. I am into music, have been for over 48yrs. Big fan of all kinds of music, right now it has been the Blues for the last 10yrs. I do not play any instruments, But I very interested in the recording aspect of the industry. Have messed around with it a little and always learning new things about it. I have met many wonderful people because of Music.. Hope you enjoy my Blogs... In the last two years I have been producing House Concerts. I also in the past 2 years got to produce and engineer an album for a very good friend of mine from Sweden "Magpie". Archives
February 2024
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