Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Kitzman Carmichael.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started playing classical piano around five years old, and did competitions and such. I loved classical music and wanted to go to Berkeley or some other music college. Then, reality hit, and I realized that a career in music was very unlikely. My parents are both Dallas Symphony musicians, and I come from a long line of professional musicians and music teachers. I played piano until I was 14, took a long break, and then started taking lessons with the famous piano player Julie Bonk (Norah Jone’s previous teacher) in my 20’s while working full-time and getting a Ph.D. in Psychology at SMU. With Julie’s help, I learned to play without reading notes and started writing my own songs. After a marriage and a child, and my first faculty position at the University of South Carolina in Psychology, I picked up the pedal steel guitar. It was always my favorite instrument in country music, which was introduced to me by my grandfather Tom. I played pedal steel for five years – taking lessons with Calexico’s pedal steel player Paul Niehaus in Nashville. I played pedal steel with a few local bands including Nicholas Altobelli, opening for acts such as James McCartney (Paul McCartney’s son), and Little Feat at the Granada Theater. After that, I began a project called the Blondelles, to share my original songs and love of country music, that was changed to The Blondettes (2015-2018). After retiring the Blondettes, I started The High-Tones, a name pulled from a Terry Allen song, and we are currently playing old country and western swing, originals and covers, throughout Dallas Fort Worth. Band members include Courtney Elane (lead vocals, harmonies), Sharla Franklin (fiddle), Stephen Goodsen (lead guitar), Chris Carmichael (drums), and myself (lead vocals, harmonies, bass). Our first single, Champagne (to 3/2 beer) was just released (www.thehigh-tones.com), written about going through a divorce and dating a country musician (and all the things in-between).
Please tell us about your art.
I love to play old country and western swing tunes, to keep the sound alive and share the rich history of Texas music. My songs are typically written about themes of the human condition that have affected me, or people I create in my head! My most amazing musical experience is playing old songs in a room full of folks that are two-stepping – particularly in old dancehalls or bars. I hope to do more of that over the next five years with The High-Tones.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Playing music with other folks, and in public, creates a strong sense of community. That certainly helps! But, getting good at my instruments or writing songs often requires missing out on social events with my non-music friends, and does require quite a bit of alone time. That can be hard. One, it’s important to balance short-term gratification with long-term goals (which makes practicing alone on a Saturday night easier to handle); and two, remembering the connection you feel on stage with your bandmates and with the audience. Creating anything usually requires some solitary time – but balance that with spending time with friends and connecting with other artists as much as possible.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The High-Tones play all over the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, and we love to catch up with folks at our shows. Our full list of shows can be found on our website and you can get updates on new shows by liking our Facebook page (@thehightonesdallas). Our Instagram account also posts new shows @thehightonesdallas. We play at city festivals, bars, restaurants, music series, etc, so there’s plenty of opportunities to see us!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehigh-tones.com
- Email: heather@thehigh-tones.com
- Instagram: @thehightonesdallas
- Facebook: @thehightonesdallas
Image Credit:
Mike Brooks, Mara Hasty Hammit
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