Heidi Raye’s “Drunk Girls In Bathroom Lines”
Interview conducted on December 02, 2019
by: Dan Locke
Harlan Howard Records’ artist Heidi Raye is gearing up to release her sophomore EP “Blame It On The Radio” this fall. Her debut EP, Worth A Shot, was produced by GRAMMY award-winning producer Chuck Ainlay, and the title track and debut single reached the Top 45 on the Music Row charts. The country riser’s hit track, “Sweat,” has garnered over 150,000 streams on Spotify and is currently spinning on Spotify’s Wild Country playlist. Heidi’s latest release, “Lay Me On Down,” paints a fun and flirty picture of the quirky art of falling in love. The songstress has shared the stage with country legends Kenny Chesney, Randy Travis, Jason Aldean, Reba McEntire and Terri Clark, and she is currently touring across the US, Canada and Australia.
Dan Locke: How are you a force to be reckoned with?
I am a force within myself. I have always been a very focused, determined girl with my eye on the prize. I have a strong work ethic and am always trying to improve and grow, whether it’s in my personal or professional life.
You grow up in British Columbia. What type of music did you listen to while growing up?
I exclusively listened to the old country vinyl’s my parents had, or my hometown AM country radio station. This is where the idea for my song “Blame It On The Radio” came from.
You are from Dawson Creek, BC. A very little town. I bet you don’t know they had two kind of famous singer from there.
Absolutely I know them! Ben Heppner and I were both trained by the same classical vocal coach, and Roy Forbes is a distant relative of mine.
Tell me how you got your first guitar. And do you still have it?
My dad bought me a beautiful mini Art & Lutherie when I was 12. I still have it and hope to keep it in the family.
How is it to tour with your husband Johnny Bulford?
It’s the best! I’ve been touring since I was 18 years old and although it’s exciting, it’s a lot of hard work and can get lonely. Touring with my husband is so much fun. We do everything together and it makes the road life totally enjoyable!
You have a Nursing degree. How disappoint were you parents, once you told them that you were heading to Nashville?
My parents were not disappointed in me at all! They have always been 100% supportive, encouraging and proud of me and this career I’ve chosen.
During your first years in Nashville you did a lot of writing for another artist. Were any of your song ever picked up by another artist? Before being signed by Harlan Howard.
I’ve had a dozen or so cuts by other independent artists and a couple cuts by bigger acts like Aaron Pritchett and Sundance Head.
Tell me the story behind Drunk Girls In Bathroom Lines?
“Drunk Girls In Bathroom Lines” was an idea I’ve had for years because I’ve witnessed it, lived it, and heard others stories about it. It’s probably the most universal song for women I’ve ever written. Girls with a buzz make friends with other girls with a buzz in a public bathroom. They complement each other, build each other up, ask each other for their beauty tips, or cry to each other about their drama that night. It’s a funny yet factual and beautiful thing to see and I had to write about it.
How do you see yourself in five years?
I’d like to continue touring with Johnny, and would like to expand into bigger venues and other countries. In 2019 we played in Australia, Mexico, Bahamas, Canada and all over the USA. I’d love to play in Asia and go back to Europe. I love traveling and getting to play music for people and make friends, so if I can continue doing that, I’ll be happy!
Anything you like to say in closing?
My husband and I recently started live streaming as ‘JohnnyandHeidi’ on a site called Mixer. We are now partnering on the Microsoft platform and we perform live from our home studio (or wherever we are on the road) for fans who tune in from all over the world. To follow us and catch our nightly show, go to www.mixer.com/JohnnyandHeidi
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