[Women Who Rock – 3/3] Heidi Burson Interview

Let your weekend live on a little longer with a fantastic line-up this Monday night at 12th and Porter with this month’s installment of the Women Who Rock series. This time 3 is indeed the magic number because on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the year you can treat yourself to the soulful sounds of 3 of Nashville’s finest female voices —  Mercy Bell along with Elizabeth Eckert and Heidi Burson rounding out the bill.

Again this go around Anna Haas, (curator extraordinaire of WWR) has helped us out with conducting some interviews on our behalf! Get to know Heidi, Elizabeth, and Mercy a little better with us over the next few days and grab your tickets now for Monday night’s show!

No Country: Who are some of your greatest musical influences?
Heidi Burson: The Beatles, Etta James, Ray Charles, My parents!

NC: Who’s your favorite female artist of all time?
HB: Aretha Franklin!

NC: What have you been doing to keep warm this winter?
HB: Lots of whiskey and extra blankets.

NC: Who’s put on the most fun show you’ve ever been to?
HB: Prince+Live= AMAZING

NC: What’s the last great book you’ve read?
HB: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe… I haven’t picked up a good one in awhile.

NC: Do you feel that being a woman in the music industry provides any particular challenge?
HB: Not at all. I think it’s important to show people how you want to be treated in this business and musicians in general face similar challenges regardless if they’re male or female. You have to be diligent and persistent to make things happen.

NC: What are you working on/promoting at the moment? Any new projects in the works?
HB: I’m staying focused on playing as much as possible in and out of town. We’re currently shopping for a manager/booking agent to assist us with business matters and I’m in the market for a publishing deal so I can get these songs of mine out there! I think the best thing for the Heidi Burson Band right now is to stay under the lights and in front of new fans. I plan to record an EP before the end of the year once we’re done touring as much as possible.

NC: Is there any particular cause or charity that you stand behind?
HB: I am a huge supporter of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. I also support pit bull rescues and all animal shelters that promote rehabilitating animals and finding them homes.

NC: What one piece of advice would you give to new and aspiring artists?
HB: Never stop trying. View any opportunity to perform as an open door that will lead to other things. Figure out what success as a musician means to you and always remember why you’re doing it- for the love of music!

Be sure to check out Heidi at Monday’s Women Who Rock Showcase at 12th & Porter and check back for interviews with the other ladies on the bill, Elizabeth Eckert and headliner, Mercy Bell! Tickets to Monday’s show are just $10 if you grab ’em in advance here and the show gets going around 8pm!