Heidi Newfield
Encyclopedia
Heidi Newfield is an American country music
artist. She was lead singer, rhythm guitar
ist and harmonica
player for the group Trick Pony
, alongside Keith Burns and Ira Dean from 1996 until 2006, when she left in pursuit of a solo career. Newfield has begun her solo career on Curb Records
, debuting in 2008 with the single, "Johnny & June
." This song, which peaked at #11 on the Hot Country Songs
charts, is the first release from her solo debut album, What Am I Waiting For
, which has produced a second Top 30 country hit, "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun Shines)."
. By age 13, she had decided to pursue a career in country music
. In 1996, she joined Keith Burns and Ira Dean to form the group Trick Pony
. Newfield recorded three albums as a member of Trick Pony: Trick Pony
(2001), On a Mission (2003) and R.I.D.E.
(2005). These albums accounted for eight singles on the Billboard
country charts, including the group's highest peaking, the #4 "On a Night Like This," from 2001. Newfield sang lead vocals on most of the group's songs, including every single except "Just What I Do." She also played rhythm guitar
and harmonica
and co-wrote several songs on each album. Newfield announced her departure from Trick Pony in 2006.
Newfield's first work outside of Trick Pony was as a guest vocalist on Cledus T. Judd
's cover of the Ray Stevens
song "Gitarzan
", featured on Judd's 2007 album Boogity, Boogity - A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens
. Later that same year, Newfield began working with record producer Tony Brown
to record her solo album for Curb Records
, the same label to which Trick Pony was signed from 2004 to 2008. Her debut single, "Johnny & June
," entered the country charts in early 2008, followed by the release of her debut album What Am I Waiting For
in August of that year. "Johnny & June" peaked at number 11 on the country charts, in late September 2008, and was followed a month later by "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun Shines)". This song, originally recorded by Martina McBride
on her album Waking Up Laughing
, peaked at 29 in early 2009. The title track was released as the album's third single on May 4, 2009 and reached 57.
In November 2010, Newfield announced that she would be working with producer Blake Chancey
on a second album. Its first single, "Stay Up Late," which was written by Ben Hayslip
, Sonya Isaacs
and Shenandoah
lead singer Jimmy Yeary, was released in March 2011 and peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
agent Bill Johnson on June 6, 2004. On Sept. 14, 2011, she announced that she had filed for divorce.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist. She was lead singer, rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
ist and harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
player for the group Trick Pony
Trick Pony
Trick Pony was an American country music group. It was formed in 1996 by Keith Burns , Ira Dean , and Heidi Newfield . The group recorded three studio albums: Trick Pony, On a Mission and R.I.D.E., released in 2001, 2002 and 2005, respectively...
, alongside Keith Burns and Ira Dean from 1996 until 2006, when she left in pursuit of a solo career. Newfield has begun her solo career on Curb Records
Curb Records
Curb Records is a record label started by Mike Curb originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963...
, debuting in 2008 with the single, "Johnny & June
Johnny & June (song)
"Johnny & June" is the solo debut single of American country music singer Heidi Newfield, the former lead singer of the group Trick Pony. It is the first single from her debut album What Am I Waiting For, which was released in August 2008 on Curb Records...
." This song, which peaked at #11 on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts, is the first release from her solo debut album, What Am I Waiting For
What Am I Waiting For
What Am I Waiting For is the debut solo album from American country music singer Heidi Newfield, formerly the lead vocalist in the group Trick Pony. It was released on August 5, 2008 on Curb Records and produced by Tony Brown. The album's lead-off single, "Johnny & June", peaked at number 11 on the...
, which has produced a second Top 30 country hit, "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun Shines)."
Biography
Heidi Newfield was born October 4, 1970, in Healdsburg, CaliforniaHealdsburg, California
Healdsburg is a city located in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 11,254...
. By age 13, she had decided to pursue a career in country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. In 1996, she joined Keith Burns and Ira Dean to form the group Trick Pony
Trick Pony
Trick Pony was an American country music group. It was formed in 1996 by Keith Burns , Ira Dean , and Heidi Newfield . The group recorded three studio albums: Trick Pony, On a Mission and R.I.D.E., released in 2001, 2002 and 2005, respectively...
. Newfield recorded three albums as a member of Trick Pony: Trick Pony
Trick Pony (album)
Trick Pony is the eponymous debut from the American country music group Trick Pony, released in 2001 on Warner Bros. Records Nashville. The album produced three singles in "Pour Me", "On a Night Like This", and "Just What I Do", which respectively reached #12, #4, and #13 on the Billboard Hot...
(2001), On a Mission (2003) and R.I.D.E.
R.I.D.E.
R.I.D.E. is the third and final studio album by American country music group Trick Pony. It is also the group's only recording for the Asylum-Curb label. The album's name is an abbreviation for "Rebellious Individuals Delivering Entertainment"....
(2005). These albums accounted for eight singles on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts, including the group's highest peaking, the #4 "On a Night Like This," from 2001. Newfield sang lead vocals on most of the group's songs, including every single except "Just What I Do." She also played rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
and harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
and co-wrote several songs on each album. Newfield announced her departure from Trick Pony in 2006.
Newfield's first work outside of Trick Pony was as a guest vocalist on Cledus T. Judd
Cledus T. Judd
Barry Poole is an American country music artist who records under the name Cledus T. Judd. Known primarily for his parodies of popular country music songs, he has been called the "Weird Al" Yankovic of country music, and his albums are usually an equal mix of original comedy songs and parodies...
's cover of the Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens is an American country music, pop singer-songwriter who has become known for his novelty songs.-Early career:...
song "Gitarzan
Gitarzan
"Gitarzan" is a novelty song released by Ray Stevens in 1969, about a character who lives in a jungle and forms a musical band with his female partner, Jane, and their pet monkey. The song features Tarzan Yells, scat singing, and a funky Boogie Woogie, as well as a quote from the song "Swinging on...
", featured on Judd's 2007 album Boogity, Boogity - A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens
Boogity, Boogity - A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens
Boogity, Boogity – A Tribute to the Comic Genius of Ray Stevens is a tribute album recorded by country music singer/parodist Cledus T. Judd. It contains Judd's renditions of twelve songs previously recorded by country music artist Ray Stevens, largely with duet partners. Stevens himself is featured...
. Later that same year, Newfield began working with record producer Tony Brown
Tony Brown (record producer)
Tony Brown is an American country music record producer.He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina.Brown played piano for Elvis Presley. He toured with the TCB Band for much of Presley's final two years and was a part of the 1976 "Jungle Room" recording sessions at Graceland...
to record her solo album for Curb Records
Curb Records
Curb Records is a record label started by Mike Curb originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963...
, the same label to which Trick Pony was signed from 2004 to 2008. Her debut single, "Johnny & June
Johnny & June (song)
"Johnny & June" is the solo debut single of American country music singer Heidi Newfield, the former lead singer of the group Trick Pony. It is the first single from her debut album What Am I Waiting For, which was released in August 2008 on Curb Records...
," entered the country charts in early 2008, followed by the release of her debut album What Am I Waiting For
What Am I Waiting For
What Am I Waiting For is the debut solo album from American country music singer Heidi Newfield, formerly the lead vocalist in the group Trick Pony. It was released on August 5, 2008 on Curb Records and produced by Tony Brown. The album's lead-off single, "Johnny & June", peaked at number 11 on the...
in August of that year. "Johnny & June" peaked at number 11 on the country charts, in late September 2008, and was followed a month later by "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun Shines)". This song, originally recorded by Martina McBride
Martina McBride
Martina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
on her album Waking Up Laughing
Waking up Laughing
Waking Up Laughing is the ninth album from country singer Martina McBride. This album is the first in McBride's career in which she has both co-written songs and been involved in the production single-handedly. This album produced three chart singles for McBride on the Billboard Hot Country Songs...
, peaked at 29 in early 2009. The title track was released as the album's third single on May 4, 2009 and reached 57.
In November 2010, Newfield announced that she would be working with producer Blake Chancey
Blake Chancey
Blake Chancey is an American record producer and music business executive, known primarily for his work in country music. Formerly an executive vice president and chief creative officer for Sony Music, he later formed a partnership with artist manager Scott Siman...
on a second album. Its first single, "Stay Up Late," which was written by Ben Hayslip
Ben Hayslip
Ben Hayslip is an American country music songwriter. Hayslip attended Evans High School near Augusta, Georgia where he was an All-State first baseman leading the Evans baseball team to the 1988 Georgia state championship...
, Sonya Isaacs
Sonya Isaacs
Sonya Melissa Isaacs is an American country and Christian music singer. Isaacs grew up near Morrow, Ohio, and graduated from Little Miami High School in 1992....
and Shenandoah
Shenandoah (band)
Shenandoah is an American country music group founded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1984 by Marty Raybon , Ralph Ezell , Stan Thorn , Jim Seales , and Mike McGuire...
lead singer Jimmy Yeary, was released in March 2011 and peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Personal life
Newfield married National Football LeagueNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
agent Bill Johnson on June 6, 2004. On Sept. 14, 2011, she announced that she had filed for divorce.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country |
US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
||
| What Am I Waiting For What Am I Waiting For What Am I Waiting For is the debut solo album from American country music singer Heidi Newfield, formerly the lead vocalist in the group Trick Pony. It was released on August 5, 2008 on Curb Records and produced by Tony Brown. The album's lead-off single, "Johnny & June", peaked at number 11 on the... |
|
2 | 10 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales threshold) |
Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
||||
| 2008 | "Johnny & June Johnny & June (song) "Johnny & June" is the solo debut single of American country music singer Heidi Newfield, the former lead singer of the group Trick Pony. It is the first single from her debut album What Am I Waiting For, which was released in August 2008 on Curb Records... " |
11 | 58 |
|
What Am I Waiting For |
| "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun Shines)" | 29 | — | |||
| 2009 | "What Am I Waiting For" | 57 | — | ||
| 2011 | "Stay Up Late" | 51 | — | TBD | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||
Guest singles
| Year | Single | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Gitarzan Gitarzan "Gitarzan" is a novelty song released by Ray Stevens in 1969, about a character who lives in a jungle and forms a musical band with his female partner, Jane, and their pet monkey. The song features Tarzan Yells, scat singing, and a funky Boogie Woogie, as well as a quote from the song "Swinging on... " |
Cledus T. Judd Cledus T. Judd Barry Poole is an American country music artist who records under the name Cledus T. Judd. Known primarily for his parodies of popular country music songs, he has been called the "Weird Al" Yankovic of country music, and his albums are usually an equal mix of original comedy songs and parodies... |
Boogity, Boogity Boogity, Boogity - A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens Boogity, Boogity – A Tribute to the Comic Genius of Ray Stevens is a tribute album recorded by country music singer/parodist Cledus T. Judd. It contains Judd's renditions of twelve songs previously recorded by country music artist Ray Stevens, largely with duet partners. Stevens himself is featured... |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Johnny & June" | Eric Welch |
| 2009 | "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun Shines)" | |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organization | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Female Vocalist | |
| Single Record of the Year — "Johnny & June" | |||
| Song of the Year — "Johnny & June" | |||
| Video of the Year — "Johnny & June" | |||