artist spotlight | whiskey trail

over the years, i’ve had a handful of friends that i’ve remained close with, heidi is one of them. being one of my best friends, i know her very well and have gotten to witness her journey unfold first hand. she is an incredible woman with loads of energy and laughs to share, so when i heard she found a new man AND band mate i was stoked. their story is something special and what they do brings me right back home. there is something about my country roots that i will never let go of, whiskey trail takes me back down those dirt roads by covering classic and new age country tunes. these two souls connected by their passion for music, are here to spread the love and show you that your talents will always be there for you, especially when you need it most.

tell us about your journey.

“Earlier this year I had a close friend pushing me to get back into playing live music. I was skeptical of it because I was in a really dark place and wasn’t sure if it was the time. But that’s the problem with your talents they are always there waiting to be used and I’m so glad I didn’t let my doubts hold me back because when I pushed past my comfort zone I found something I know I could never live without. My friend (Otiz Mac) set up an audition with guitar players to accompany me and do some background harmonys. I got to his house that day… in my sweat pants and hair up in a messy bun to find Jake. I’ll never forget the moment I saw him mostly because I could hardly make eye contact with him or get my name out of my mouth. We went inside and the first song we sang together was you and tequila by Kenny Chesney (which is a dominant man song) he finished singing and I looked and Otiz and told him to cancel any other auditions I had because I knew at that moment that we created magic and I would NEVER find something that special ANYWHERE. Seeing as though Jake is a pretty damn good looking man, my family told me immediately after “keep it professional don’t go screwing it up by falling in love with this guy” little did they know I had already told all of my friends that Jake and I were going to be together… and he hadn’t even told me he liked me yet! We had a month to put together one set for the band we were opening up for and it was literally the hardest three weeks of my life. We had just met, sang maybe 3 songs together, and had to figure out what songs would work for both of us and sound good for a crowd of people who had never even heard of us. We spent every waking moment discussing songs, and what we would call ourselves, and where we would play and we had so little time to do it. We fought like a married couple because our voices and song choices were polar opposite of one another but all I knew is that I wanted to fight to make this work. One night after hours of practicing and getting nowhere, I sent Jake on his way. I walked him to the door and after 10 minutes of us saying goodbye, he did something I never expected. I ran into my friend’s bedroom, pale in the face about to faint, and said “he kissed me”. From there our connection grew stronger, and the day before of our show we learned 8 of our 15 songs and packed the bar we were playing at. Our journey ever since has been amazing. I get to do what I love with the person I love and there is nothing more thrilling than that.”

who are you?

“Heidi- My Mom & Dad pastored a church and were always up in front of a crowd, so the stage was never out of the norm for me! I sang my first song alone (“Happy Birthday Jesus”- Google it.. it’s awful) when I was 4! Fom that moment on, I would sing for anyone who would listen. I started professionally singing when I was 20 for a local band and will never forget the thrill that following your passion gives you. Jake grew up in Duluth as well, his whole family has a passion for country music and that started his own love of music as well. When he was 10 he taught himself to play guitar and has been picking away ever since. When he graduated he enlisted in the Army and served for 6 years. Jake spent time singing with close friends and family but really started performing at karaoke nights at Billy’s Bar. Things changed drastically for him this year when he decided to take a different job to pursue his music more seriously.”

where are you from?