HEIDI NEWFIELD
Heidi’s songwriting career
Heidi Newfield was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and harmonica player for the award-winning Country group Trick Pony from 1996 until 2006, when she left in pursuit of a solo career. Newfield began her solo career on Curb Records, debuting in 2008 with the smash hit single & video, “Johnny & June.” This song, which peaked at No. 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).” 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.
Newfield was born in Healdsburg, California. 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 No. 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. Fast forward to 2019 and Heidi is busily finishing recording on her upcoming album, set for a September release. It is full of superstar guest artists and surprises. She will also resume a busy touring schedule. Heidi’s solo album will debut in September, 2019.