An Interview with Heidi Raye

After seeing Heidi Raye live at a performance for a local radio station and reviewing two of her EP's I decided to reach out to her and see if she would want to participate in an interview so we could all get to know her better.  Did she graciously accept?  Well...

When I first heard the Heidi Raye song Worth A Shot for the first time I have to admit there was a certain amount of intrigue.  The song has a quality to it that is smart and playful but it had a quality to it that had elements of modern country music interspersed with a smattering of tones that would be quite comfortable in any Top 40 rotation.  The song was much more than that however, it showed a depth that only songwriters with exceptional resumes' and bodies of work seem to possess.

When the station I work at offered up the opportunity to see Raye perform at a local event I knew I had to take them up on it if not for the simple reason to see what the artist was like in a raw, acoustic event.  I was completely blown away by the artist and artistry that is Heidi Raye and I asked her if she would be interested in the opportunity of participating in an interview and she said YES!

As Raye is a musician and was on tour we decided that the best way to conduct an interview was through email and with a little forethought I prepared some questions and sent them off.

Hello Heidi!  Let's start with a little background information, where were you born?

Heidi:  Fort St. John, British Columbia

Where do you current live?

Heidi:  Nashville, TN

Describe yourself in a sentence.

Heidi:  Ambitious, quirky country singin’ go-getter.

So your fans can keep up with you, what is your website?

Heidi:  www.heidiraye.com

Who are some of your favorite writers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Heidi:  Dixie Chicks, George Strait, Dolly, Garth Brooks, Shania. 

What is THE song that always moves you?

Heidi:  “How Great Thou Art.” 

If you could create your perfect day, how would you design it?

Heidi:  An 80 degree day in the spring or fall in Nashville, write a song, go for a hike, dinner on a patio, preferably Mexican :). 

What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Heidi:  Probably my sense of humor. Laughing, joking around, teasing and being a part of something funny is what I’m all about. 

If you could pick your "most valued possession," what would it be?

Heidi:  I just got a McPerson guitar. I’ve always wanted one and now that I have it I’m so careful with it and appreciate it so much more than any other guitar I’ve had. 

Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Heidi:  I've been star struck once in my life and that was when I met King George (Strait). He said “Hi Heidi! Nice to meet you!” And leaned in to shake my hand and I just went through the motions not able to say much. 

What do you want to do in the future?  Collaborate?  Tour?  Vacation?

Heidi:  Yes to all three! To me, touring is like vacation in the way that it’s what I love to do most and I get to see the world. I’d love to collaborate with someone like Brett Eldredge or Chris Young. They’re just both incredible vocalists and I think it’d make a fun project. 

Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Heidi:  I dream big so I’d say I’ll be doing what I’m doing now just on a larger scale. I’d love to be playing arenas and stadiums, perform at the CMA’s, and be in a position to start a charity and actively be helping people. 

What instruments can you play?

Heidi:  Piano/keys, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, trumpet. 

What is the biggest tour you have ever been on?

Heidi:  Opened an arena show for Randy Travis. 

Do you have favorite sports / teams:

Heidi:  Nashville Predators. 

What artists or songwriters have you collaborated with (written / performed)?

Heidi:  I’ve been a staff writer in Nashville for 5 out of the 7 years I’ve lived there so I’ve got to be in the room with some pretty incredible artists and writers over the years. Writers like Craig Wiseman, Liz Rose, artist/writers like Walker Hayes and John King. 

Can you describe the difference between where you grew up and where you live now?

Heidi:  Actually not a whole lot. I’m from a small country town and Nashville is just a big country town. I think healthcare and accents are the two main differences! 

Tell us about your latest Project:

Heidi:  5 song EP, “Worth a Shot” (Produced by the amazing Chuck Ainlay) available on all digital streaming/downloading services, Amazon, or www.heidiraye.com. 

Music requires creativity and creativity requires a source, what do you do outside of music that helps you be creative IN music?

Heidi:  Hiking. Walking alone outside with no music just the sounds of the great out doors is my favorite activity. 

How do you write your music?  For others?

Heidi:  The process is always different; just depends on if you have a melody idea or a lyric idea, who you’re writing with or who you’re writing for. No two days are the same... keeps it interesting! 

As a young, rising star performances are paramount to your success, where have you performed?  Prefer small venues or large venues?  Dream performance?

Heidi:  I've been performing since I was 3 so it’d take a while to list the venues ;) The venue to me isn’t as important as the crowd. I love performing for a crowd of country music fans that are there to have a good time. Doesn’t matter if it’s a festival of thousands or the Bluebird Cafe with 60 people; I’ve had equally amazing experiences at both! I’d love to perform at Madison Square Gardens or the Super Bowl. 

Describe your biggest challenge as a musician?

Heidi:  Finding time to write when you’re on the road and there’s just no time, or even the opposite scenario of having to write but you are burnt out or out of ideas when you’re in writing mode. Sometimes I’ll be on the road for a month and maybe only write one or two songs due to scheduling and lack of time and sleep. Maybe another month I’m on music row writing every day and after 30 songs I’m feeling like I need a creative break to get more ideas. 

Obviously your an accomplished and talented songwriter, what is your favorite song you have written.  For yourself?  For Others?

Heidi:  Myself: a song I wrote with my long time Nashville friend Isaac Rich called “Good Either Way”. It’s just a real raw, emotional, acoustic song that has some really powerful lyrics and moments.

Others: a song I co-wrote with my good friend Bill DiLuigi called “Lifeline” by Aaron Pritchett. It was on his Juno nominated album “The Score”. It’s kind of moody, rockin’, and is super fun to play live. 

Thank you for taking the time and answering my questions, I sincerely appreciate it.  Is there anything you would like to add?

Heidi:  Please find me on social media and say hi! I love meeting new friends and fans. My handle on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube is @heidirayemusic.

Heidi Raye is an up and coming country artist that is destined to become a super star.  Find Heidi's latest single Worth A Shot and her EP of the same title and pick it up it is beyond worth it!  Check out the review I conducted on Worth A Shot and Hot Mess Express HERE.

Thank you again Heidi for the opportunity to interview you and I cannot wait to see what happens next in your career!