EDDIE HEINZELMAN has been playing since the age of 8, when his grandmother bought him his first guitar as a Christmas present. A dedicated music student from the very start, he trained in classical techniques, adding rock and blues to his studies after hearing Led Zeppelin for the first time at age 12. By 13, he began performing professionally at local events, and also added jazz instruction to his musical toolbelt. He graduated from University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music’s Jazz and Studio Music program, and then moved to Nashville and embarked on a songwriting and sessions path, ultimately becoming the seasoned touring musician he is today.

STELLAR SESSION GUITARIST EDDIE HEINZELMAN EVOLVES IN SOLO CAREER WITH HIGHLY PERSONAL SOPHOMORE RELEASE,
WHEREVER YOU GO

The new album (which drops Nov 9, 2018) follows Heinzelman’s Feb. 2017 debut, Hey Songwriter, and offers up an infectious mix of Americana, country, roots rock, and classic jams. Heinzelman, who lays down plenty of his signature blazing guitar on the set, is not one to shy away from stretching songs just as far as they will go. “Improvisation and blending genres are at the heart of most everything I do,” he explains.

Heinzelman’s debut served to show off his flexible, versatile songwriting; this one expands on that with 10 new songs written over the past year while touring. He explains that the evolution of this record was particularly special, as it expresses an important development in his musical journey.

Wherever You Go has more of my own style and direction,” he notes, adding that he hadn’t been previously operating under complete creative freedom. “I was doing what everyone told me I was supposed to do in order to get a publishing deal in Nashville, but I had set aside making the music I wanted to make. This is me writing and performing—focused on being honest and true to the art and the craft of songwriting, improvisation, and the music and most importantly, to myself.”

Indeed, the songs on Wherever You Go are brimming with a specific, inimitable personality. A full nine of the 10 songs are solely composed by Heinzelman; the title track is co-written with Radney Foster. Tunes such as “Dammit, Mary”–an ode to one of Heinzelman’s favorite songwriters, Mary Gauthier (“her songs are so good they make me cuss”)–and “The Road,” a touring artist’s love letter to his wife, show the range of depth his songwriting can travel.

AcrossTheStageLIVE ~ YouTube Playlist ~ Eddie Heinzelman

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Eddie Heinzelman YouTube
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Nashville, TN (August 8, 2018)
Eddie Heinzelman has already made a major footprint on the country music landscape as an in-demand session musician/sideman. He’s currently playing guitar and mandolin
for Radney Foster. However, he’s also imprinting in an even more impactful way as a
solo artist, with the release of his sophomore album Wherever You Go.

The album is also filled with top-notch instrumentalists, such as Greg Martin of the Kentucky Headhunters, who contributes slide guitar to “Dandelion”; and American Idol alum Kendra Chantelle, who provides backing vocals. The set was produced by Heinzelman with Casey Wood, who has worked with a slate of impressive artists including Charlie Daniels, Randy Houser, and Randy Travis–and also plays drums on the record.

Heinzelman himself, of course, adds a generous helping of his own instrumental prowess to the record. He’s currently developed two custom signature guitar effects pedals, designed in conjunction with Robert Keeley and Keeley Electronics, which he’ll be releasing in the fall.

The Daily Country ~ Interview/Essential 8: Eddie Heinzelman

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