CD Review: Heidi Raye – Worth A Shot
by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International
- Junkyard
- Down Home
- Boys Are Stupid
- We Ain’t Friends
- Worth A Shot
The early musical career of the Canadian singer from British Columbia is very similar to that of many of her American colleagues: church choir, guitar lessons and first attempts at songwriting.
As a first step to success, Heidi Raye rattled through various Canadian radio stations to get airplay for her songs like “My List”, “Never The Bride” or “Last Flame”.
Since she felt connected to country music from the start, she moved to Nashville in 2010, where she “cleaned the door” and performed in clubs.
Her persistence paid off, so she was hired by “Harlan Howard Songs” as a songwriter and wrote at least 200 songs in her time there.
Producer Chuck Ainley finally showed up at a performance in the “Bluebird Cafe” in Nashville and gave her the opportunity to record her first EP “Worth A Shot” in the Sound Stage Studio.
Musically this debut EP is somewhat reminiscent of the early Shania Twain. The vocal presence is definitely convincing, but an EP with only five tracks somehow lacks the “ear-catcher” that convinces you straight away, even though all the pieces are pleasant to listen to.
As a tip I recommend the romantic-sentimental “We Ain`t Friends”. Since Heidi Raye has all the vocational requirements to be successful in the country scene, it is to be hoped that she will continue to refine her music to round off the overall musical package.