Singer/Songwriter Heidi of the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders releases her first EP, “My Stupid Heart”

Heidi followed her heart from California to Nashville to pursue her musical dream. A former cheerleader for the 49ers, Heidi moved to Tennessee and has been a Titans Cheerleader for the past three seasons, all the while also fulfilling her passion as a singer/songwriter. UltimateCheerleaders has followed Heidi from her rookie Titans season to taking the step to Kickstarter to assist the goal of her first recording.

Now Heidi has released her first EP, My Stupid Heart, available on iTunes at this link! My mini review is that you need the perfect songs as you hit the road this spring/summer, whether to energize your morning commute, or to play with the wind flying through your hair along the coast on Highway 1, My Stupid Heart is quintessential car music.

Heidi kindly shared with UltimateCheerleaders the story behind this accomplishment, but had a message for those that helped her pursue her dream. “First, I just want to thank all of my Kickstarter supporters!” Heidi expressed. “I could not have created this album without you guys, and I appreciate you believing in me! Each of these songs is as much yours as it is mine!”

UC-Tell us about each of the songs on the EP; what inspired each of them?

Heidi-Whenever I write a song, I think of a character. Who is this person? What happened to them, what do they feel, and what do they want? Sometimes the character is me, and sometimes the character is imagined, but I always channel my own feelings and experiences when fleshing out the story of each character in a song.

“My Stupid Heart” is the title track on the album. It’s about turmoil, and the feeling of wanting someone that doesn’t want you the same way. You want to let that person go, but you can’t. However, I didn’t want the song to be about being a victim, or about anger. In my own experience, I often go for the men who are exciting and passionate, even though I know that they aren’t interested in a real relationship. I love the challenge, but in the end, when I end up hurt, I only have myself to blame. Too many people like to blame the other person, but I think it’s really our stupid hearts that get us into trouble.

“I Don’t Cry” is a song about strength and power, and not letting another person diminish you. At the time that my co-writers, Luke Sheets and Kata Rhe Crutcher, and I wrote it, I was in the beginning stages of a breakup. In my life, most of my relationships have ended because I couldn’t be what the other person wanted me to be, and when that theme develops again and again, a person can start to think, “maybe I’m not enough”. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also gotten stronger. I’ve learned that we each have worth, and no person can give or take that worth away. Someone who doesn’t see that worth, does not deserve any tears. It’s not about not being able to cry, or not feeling anything, it’s about choosing not to waste your tears.

During one of our writing sessions, Luke started playing this lick on his guitar and the sound had this unexplainable feeling of hope and joy. I knew that whatever we wrote had to be uplifting, and that’s how “Don’t Give Up On Me” was born. We started talking about how people in Nashville have made it big just before they were about to give up. Lots of people on my journey told me that I would never make it as a pro cheerleader, and here I am in my fifth year in the NFL. If I had listened to them my life would be drastically different today. Lots of people have told me that I won’t make it in music, but I keep trying and pushing. Whatever your dream is, never let someone tell you that you “can’t.” Don’t give up! Dreams do come true!

“Diamond Street” is the song on the EP that’s nearest to my heart. It’s the only song on the EP where the story is one-hundred percent my own, and not imagined, and it was the most difficult to write. One summer in San Diego, I met a man who was in the city as part of a military special ops training course. He was only in town for a couple weeks, and we knew that when those weeks were over, we would be done, but those couple of weeks were magical. I took him to my favorite beach, Diamond Street, and he showed me how a man should really treat a woman, and we loved each other for that short time. On his last day, I watched him pack his bag, and I cried. My heart was broken for months after he left, but we never tried to contact each other. Two years later, I googled him, just to see what he was doing in life. Along with the page I’d seen before of him accepting a medal, I saw a page that took my breath away. The page reported that almost one year to the day we met, he had been killed in action in Afghanistan. Even though we couldn’t be together, I always imagined him out there in the world, maybe thinking of me, and then suddenly he was gone. He’ll always have a special place in my heart, and even though we didn’t last forever, in my heart he’ll always be on Diamond Street.

UC-Most artists have a moment in their songwriting evolution when they first think they wrote something “good”; when was that moment for you?

Heidi-I think a lot of artists believe every song they write is good! (laughs) In all seriousness though, when you spend an hour or two in a writing session and you finally finish a song, it’s like your baby. It’s beautiful to you even if it’s the most ugly creation ever made (that or you’re just happy you’re finally done so you can leave! (laughs)). It’s not until some time goes by and I forget about the song and then re-listen to it later with fresh ears, that I can judge whether it’s trash or it belongs in my work tapes folder. Recently, I was going back through my songs, and I listened to a work tape I recorded with country artist Gabe Garcia. I wrote the lyrics on the plane to Nashville, and he put the lyrics to music. I think it’s actually good…which is saying a lot because a lot of the songs I wrote when I first moved to Nash aren’t amazing (laughs)

UC-Do you think back and wish you could change a lyric, or once a song is done, it is done in your mind?

Heidi-For the songs on my EP, I think we said exactly what we were trying to say. Those songs are definitely done in my mind. For songs in general, I think a song is always fluid and changing. Usually when I finish a co-write, the song is done, and we’ve all come to a consensus on the lyrics. Maybe I gave up something I wanted in this line, and the other writer gave up something in another line, but all in all, together, we have a finished product. However, if I thought of something better later, I would have no problem calling up my co-writer and seeing if he wanted to change a word or line. Maybe it is better, or maybe I’m crazy and it’s a terrible idea, but changing it is always an option. Or, say we wrote a song for a guy, and a woman was interested in using it, I would have no problem changing lyrics to fit the artist.

UC-What were the steps from having songs to getting them recorded? Who were the key people as co-writers, musicians, production staff, et cetera, that made the EP possible?

Heidi-For me, this EP was all about working with the right people. No artist, no matter how talented, can be successful without the right team of people. When my Kickstarter campaign to fund my EP was successful, I knew I had to find the right producer. Luckily for me, my Titans teammate Heather is married to country artist Ryan Kinder, and he recommended his friend and amazing producer/songwriter Luke Sheets. When I met with Luke I knew he shared my vision and he guided me in creating the sound and feelings that I wanted to portray on the EP. I had been writing songs for the EP since I moved to Nashville, but the songs we came up with together really communicated who I was as an artist, and Luke helped me hone in on my personal sound. From there, it was a matter of getting the right musicians together and getting everyone in the studio. We recorded at Curb Studios, and with funding in place, it was actually a quick process. Luke pulled some amazing musicians together and the tracks and vocals were done within a couple of weeks. Then we spent the next month mixing the tracks with Craig White at Curb, and before I knew it, the EP was done. It was a pretty incredible experience.

UC-What are the best and worst parts about having a “Stupid Heart”, and how does it make you the person you are?

Heidi-My “stupid heart” definitely gets me into trouble. I tend to leap before I look and make decisions in love based on gut feelings and passion. I want what I want, when I want it, and I go after it. The downside of a stupid heart is that in love or in life in general, my feelings get invested in things or people that may not have my best interests at heart. However, that same bold and stupid heart is the reason that I’m able to take risks and chase after my dreams. My stupid heart pushed me to try out for the 49ers when everyone told me it was impossible. It led me to move across the country to audition for The Titans, and every day it pushes me to keep going after my crazy dream of a career in music. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my “stupid heart”.

UC-How big a part of moving to Nashville and starting your recording career has the TTC been in your assimilation and success?

Heidi-Being a part of The Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders has made a huge impact on both my music career and my transition to Nashville. When I first moved to Nashville, the TTC gave me an automatic group of friends, and those friendships have continued to be my biggest source of support and encouragement in my life. I’ve made lifelong friendships on this team, and I’m so grateful to be part of a community of strong, smart, and driven women. In my music career, the notoriety of the Titans has certainly opened up a lot of doors, but more than that, the support of my teammates and my coach, Stacie, has had the biggest impact on my music career. For example, my teammate Heather and her husband, Ryan, have spent years together navigating the muddy waters of the music industry, and they are a constant source of advice and support. Similarly, Stacie has years of experience in the entertainment industry, and is always pushing me to think bigger. I think the TTC has been integral to my success in Nashville, and my life would be very different today if I hadn’t made the team back in 2012.

UC-How have you changed from the woman who first drove from Cali to Nashville prior to your rookie season? Musically, vocally, and as a person?

Heidi-I think I’m still the same wide-eyed dreamer that packed everything in my little white Nissan and drove across the country to pursue a crazy dream, but I think I’m stronger. Every little setback makes me push harder to achieve my dreams. If anything, I think I believe even more strongly that with hard work and commitment, one can pursue one’s passions and be successful. When I first moved to Nashville, everything was an unknown possibility, but seeing how far I’ve come in three years, I feel like success is tangible, and I’m so excited to see what happens in the next few years!

UC-What’s next?

Heidi-The next step for me is getting my music out there. I’m currently meeting with publishing and management companies, and my goal over the next couple of years is to build a team that I believe in as much as they believe in me. Right now I’m trying to find the right fit for me and my sound. It’s a really pivotal time in my career, and the choices I make now will have a lasting effect on my future. Throughout this process, I’m also always writing, learning, and growing as a songwriter and an artist.

UC-Now that you have been on this journey, what about the process surprised you, and what advice would you give others following their dream, in Nashville or elsewhere?

Heidi-One of the things that surprised me during the process was how much the studio musicians individually contributed to the album. I always imagined that these guys came in to the studio and played what they were told to play and left. In reality, not only did the band basically learn my song after hearing it once, which is amazing, but each member also brought his own style and ideas to the project. The final product is as much each of theirs as it is mine. They took my vision and gave it life.

To those following their dreams, I would say, whatever your passion is, go for it! You may fail, or you may be wildly successful, but you’ll never know if you never try. So many people in this world will try to bring you down or make you believe that your dream is impossible. If you are willing to put in the time and the work, I believe that dreams can come true!

Thanks so much Heidi! And more photos of Heidi over the last two seasons are at this link.