New Artist Spotlight: Susan Haynes
By Gary Voorhies
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Susan Haynes always wanted to be a professional singer, but took a long time to publicly admit it.
"I was raised in an atmosphere where it wasn't appropriate to claim a lot of space or call attention to yourself," Haynes said. "So it took me awhile to be willing to put it out there."
The Atlanta, Ga. native - daughter of a corporate litigator and a homemaker - thought "music would be a hobby, although it was always at the very core of who I am."
As a college freshman at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Haynes interned in the A&R department at BNA Records. Upon graduation, she was hired as studio manager at Loud Recording Studio, owned by producer James Stroud.
One day a co-worker heard her singing while she typed a lyric and told the unsuspecting Stroud that Haynes had a good voice. To her surprise, Stroud said he'd listen if she ever recorded anything.
That encouragement spurred Haynes to finally start pursuing a career as a singer. "I knew I had to honor that part of my spirit if I was going to be happy," she said.
Haynes played her demos for Dann Huff, who was then Stroud's right-hand man and an aspiring producer. He offered to work with her, but was soon busy with his own growing career. While Haynes waited on Huff's schedule to clear, she signed with EMI Music Publishing and began to develop her songwriting.
She penned "Crooked Little Heart" - the first single and title cut of her debut album for Epic Records, produced by Dann Huff and Mark Wright.
Haynes said the project is an accurate reflection of her personality, her music and the transformation she's made since she finally began to pursue her dreams. She is the co-writer of five of the album's 11 songs.
IN HER OWN WORDS:
What song would you like to cover?
"'You Don't Know Me' by Cindy Walker"
What moment in your life would you relive if you could?
"Visiting my grandmother for the last time."
Do you have a lucky charm?
"A little microphone pin my friend and co-writer Jim Reilley gave me."
Who are your dream duet partners?
"Dolly and Rhonda Vincent."
When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?
"She sure looks hot for an 83-year-old."
On the Web: www.susanhaynes.com
May 2, 2006
© Jack Guy
