Heidi Newfield is the diminutive blond who became famous for her explosive voice, rambunctious stage antics, and trademark unruly curls. Once known for her role as lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and harmonica player for platinum-selling, ACM Award-winning band, Trick Pony, Newfield now stands solely on her own stellar repute—the same credentials that earned her monstrous success and five ACM Award nominations for her debut solo album, What Am I Waiting For. At the helm of the inaugural Throwdown Tour, the powerhouse female vocalist is preparing for her follow-up album with distinguished producer Blake Chancey and discovering more-and-more reasons why she’s finally doing it ‘her way.’

“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 déjà 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.’"