1.     Hi Heidi & Jake can you two tell me a little about yourselves before you became a country music duo?

Heidi- I grew up in Duluth Mn. I started singing in my parents church. Being the pastors kid had its perks of being able to take the stage whenever I wanted. I sang for the first time publicly when I was 5 & didn’t stop from there. In middle school I wanted to become a music teacher. I knew that music was the only thing I was meant to do & I didn’t think singing professionally would ever be an option for me. I went to high school & joined choir…. WHICH killed me.. honestly. I will be the first to admit I’m a little bit of an attention whore. Sitting in a class learning to blend my voice with others was hell to me. I loved to harmonize but I wanted my voice to be heard loud & proud and not with the other five girls standing next to me. I ended up quitting after my choir teacher said I would never become a music teacher because I didn’t play piano. For years I didn’t sing unless my best friend Abbey made me after a couple shots of vodka. Even then I only sang the same two songs over & over again because I was to scared of peoples reaction. I then had a friend who said there was a band that was looking for female lead vocalist. I had never put thought into being in a band but the thought of making money while doing what I loved sounded amazing. I had never felt as alive as I did being on stage. It was like I was born to be there. Soon my time came to leave the band & I worked a few other jobs over the years until the day I met Jacob (Heidi don’t use my full name in a article)

Jake- I grew up in Duluth Mn as well my family had a deep love for country music. From a young age I taught myself to play guitar & would sing but only for my family and close friends. I graduated high school took a year off then Joined the Army for 6 years. I spent a lot of time playing & writing music. When there wasn’t anything to do I would memorize lyrics to my favorite songs by writing them all in a journal I kept while away.  I started driving truck over the road experiencing so many cool towns and different city’s I loved it but I wanted to spend more time focusing on my real passion music. I switched to the logging division or work & that’s when Heids & I’s paths just happened to cross.

2.     How did you guys come up with your name group “Whiskey Trail” and was there any other names you were going to choose instead?

We had our first show coming up and we did not want to be called Jake & Heidi or Hake, Jeidi.. so on so forth. So we made it our mission to come up with a name in a week. We literally were going on google and using band name generators because we were so desperate. Jake is a logging truck driver so he passes a lot of roads during his day (obviously). So him & his co worker were talking over the radio naming every road they passed by announcing them the way you would if you were introducing a band. “Please welcome to the stage Elm Street.” Then he saw it a little road called “Whiskey Trail” he said it over and over then called me. He said it and I laughed because one of the words I was trying to generate our band name with was Whiskey. Within 15 minuets I had made our Facebook page and marketing material the name just felt right. Our city puts together a survey at the end of the year where you vote of the best of every category. We Won the Best Band Name Category so I think that was a sign that we made the right choice (No pun intended).

3.     How did you guys form your group?

Heidi-  I had been approached by a good friend offering to help me find a guitar player to accompany me at small shows around the area. I hadn’t been professionally singing in years and I wasn’t sure that I was ready to do it again but I thought what the hell lets just see who shows up. I got to the audition & as I pulled into the drive way I see Jake. No lie time stopped, my mind went blank & I literally forgot how to speak. I opened the door and said “Hey you here for the audition?” Jake literally had a guitar in his hand and we were at the last driveway on the road… He smiled and said “Yes” because obviously he was.  We started our audition and he suggested we try a duet. I was kinda pissed… (but not why you think) because I am so picky when it comes to vocals & he was so cute that I didn’t want to have to tell him I didn’t like how he sings. He started the song & my heart literally fell to the floor. He could actually sing & when we harmonized together you would’ve thought we had known each other forever. I ran downstairs and told my friend that we didn’t need to do any other auditions I was hiring Jake.  I got home that night & told my roommate “I think I just met my husband.” We started dating a month later and have been together ever since.

4.     Is there anything coming up with your music for the rest of 2018?

This year we have already had the opportunity to open for some pretty amazing acts Parmalee being one. We also have some other opportunities coming up opening for some of Nashville’s newest artist. You can keep up to date with all of that on our event calendar on Facebook. We also hope to do some recording this year so we can share our music on ITunes, Spotify, etc.

5.     Who are some of your musical icons?

Garth Brooks, Little Big town, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, George Strait.

6.     Where do you guys see yourselves in the next 5 to 10 years with your music?

I hope we just keep getting the opportunity to do what we love, until we cant any longer. Sitting with Jake & his guitar is where I call home. No matter who we become or where we go I know I already hit the jackpot by being with him.

7.     What are a few of your favorite quotes?

“Why blend in when you’re born to stand out.” “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.” “Closed minds cant see open doors.”

8.     Is there anything  you guys would like to share?

We are always looking to branch out of our surrounding area. We want to travel &  collaborate with as many musicians, Song writers, producers as we can. You can feel free to find us on our website Whiskeytrailband.com, Facebook, Instagram, & Vero.