HEATH HENSLEY –– Living His 'Dream Come True'
by Janelle Landauer
When new artist Heath Hensley was singing karaoke at Lonnie’s Western Room, he couldn’t have imagined who was in attendance that night. Hit songwriter Richie Brown, (who co-wrote "Good Ride Cowboy" for Garth Brooks) just happened to be there in the audience that night. And, after Hensley got off the stage, Richie Brown went over and talked to him.
“We talked for about 5 minutes and he said he had a song that he thought my voice would be perfect for,” recalls Hensley. “He gave me his number and said to call him. I called him and he asked if I could come listen to a song that he had written with Jerrod Neimann and Justin Lantz. That song was “Grace Don’t Know She’s Amazing?” I thought it was a great song and he asked if I would be willing to sing a demo of it for them. They loved the result and they started giving me more songs to demo for them. That began what has become a great friendship and got me goin’.”
Hensley made the move to Nashville 3 years ago and one of his main goals that he has accomplished so far has been just riding it out in Nashville and not giving up. "People say 80% of musicians move home before the first year is over,” notes Hensley. “I have been here 3 years now and still going strong. Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do something. There is nothing that is out of your reach as long as you put your heart and your mind into it. I hope to one day make a good living doing what I was meant to do and if I happen to become a household name in the mean time… Well, that would be just fine.”
After arriving in Nashville, Hensley recorded his debut album with producer Dave Brainard. And, the song that Richie Brown wanted Hensley to demo before – (“Grace Don’t Know She’s Amazing?”) – is now on Hensley’s new album. His album also includes another Richie Brown, Justin Lantz, Jerrod Neimann co-write called “If They Don’t Have A Prayer.” "The first time I heard “If They Don’t Have A Prayer,” it brought me to tears,” reveals Hensley. “When a song can do that to someone and when you can have that much of a connection to it, there is no doubt in my mind that it is meant for greatness. I am so blessed to have been able to record a song like this.”
“Recording my first album was amazing,” says Hensley. “Words can’t even begin to describe the joy I felt. A typical day in the studio for me is, well, a dream come true every time. It is definitely what I am meant to do. I walk in, take a deep breath and say, I’m home. Music isn’t just a part of me. It is me.”
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Added: May 25, 2008
