Heidi Hensley

HEIDI HENSLEY BAND - named after the charismatic front woman and songwriter, fuses an uncommon blend of modern rock and roll with alt-country and a nostalgic hint of the 80's. These unique, transient sounds from different musical genres and eras have critics, producers, and fans excited about the refreshing originality and inspiring sound of this marketable group. Growing up surrounded by Southern Baptist preachers, and a spiritual witchcraft embedded within the deep south, Heidi found herself caught between religion and the urges of nature.

Growing up surrounded by Southern Baptist preachers, and a spiritual witchcraft embedded within the deep south, Heidi found herself caught between religion and the urges of nature. In constant emotional transit, she began writing songs reflecting the often opposing nature of these two powerful forces and her experience of being ripped between them. ?I have a strong faith and a strong human desire. I think we all do in some way. I've spent so much of my life and time trying to suppress one or the other only to find that the best parts of me are found in a harmonious blend of both,? states Heidi. It's from these emotions that tunes of love, anger, and the search for peace are found in her enticing lyrics and in the high energy performances of Heidi Hensley Band shows.

The Band consists of a rocking and talented quintet, settled in Athens, GA. Jeremy Wheatley and Gary Rachel (drums and bass) provide smooth back beats to Heidi's catchy tunes. Ken Henslee lines those backbeats with unique guitar riffs, and Julie Fiamingo delicately weaves in and out of Heidi's melodies with smooth perfect harmonies. Every song is told somewhat differently from each musician's perspective. Those parts, blended together, make each Heidi Hensley song unique. Songs like ?Right About You? and ?Freedom Comes? have already gained national attention and are slotted to appear in film and television.

The Heidi Hensley Band is finding itself in good rapport with the ever changing music scene and its critics. Heidi Hensley was donned a 2005 Critic's Pick in the Nashville Scene. Michael McCall writes ?This singer-songwriter from Athens, GA, pops up her melodic tunes with a peppy sound that's delightfully out of step with most modern rock. The anti-diva's mix of troubadour wordplay and kickin' guitar arrangements makes her a comfortable match with such disparate acts as alt-rocker Danielle Howle and country star Jo Dee Messina. Hensley's rich arrangements and warm-yet-girlish vocals also tie her to smart folk-rockers like Jill Sobule; just when you've got her pegged, though, she'll turn around and stomp out a crunching guitar break.? Don Alcott of Southeastern Performer states, ?[Heidi's] songs are a mix of light and dark, like a medium-brewed coffee, ready to drink.? And this year they are looking forward to sharing some big stages with national acts like the Indigo Girls.

With the help of producer Glenn Matullo of Orphan Studio (John Mayer ? Inside Wants Out, Shawn Mullins ? Soul's Core, Indigo Girls and more) Heidi Hensley Band is releasing their first full length album ?Right About You?, set to be released September 2005. The album's theme is the transit found in Heidi's life: the emotional roller coasters of the love in life, the heartbreak found in that love, and the demons that haunt us all.