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Trick Pony Interview (June 17, 2002) | |
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Heidi Newfield, Keith Burns and Ira Dean make up the new country group, Trick Pony. With a gold debut album under their belt, and the ACM New Vocal Group award in hand, Heidi, Keith and Ira take on the job of opening for Brooks & Dunn on the Neon Circus tour crossing the U.S. and Canada this year. Add to that preparing for their sophomore album, they're one busy group, yet they kindly took time to answer questions from your About Country staff.
1) Which one of ya'll is the “prankster” of the group?
Ira.
2) What was the worst prank ever played on ya'll by somebody else?
Ira stripped for Phil Vasser during his (Vasser's) show while he sang “You Can Leave Your Hat On.”
3) Who has had the most influence on you as a group, musically?
There are so many…Waylon, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Fleetwood Mac, and the Eagles to name a few.
4) Who are some of your favorite current Country Music artists?
Montgomery Gentry, Brooks & Dunn
5) When you are on the road, what is your method of coping with stress?
Keith works out, Heidi listens to music and reads, and Ira practices.
6) Your debut album is awesome! (Congrats on the gold record) Will your next album be similar, or do you have something different in mind?
We tried to “Up the Bar” on this next record, but still tried to keep the energy and live sound to it.
7) Having sung with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, we're wondering if there are other artists that you would love to record with? And if so, who would they be?
Paul McCartney, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Don Henley, Jerry Reed, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, etc… etc… etc.
8) What's it like so far on the Neon Circus Tour?
One word, “Killer”. It's a dream come true.
9) Does Ira need the glasses, or are they an affectation?
Well Ira suffers from migraine headaches caused by some lights, but for the most part it's there for looks.
10) What was is like getting a chance to work with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings?
To work with two of the biggest musical icons is a blessing and still seems like a dream.
11) How did you all connect as a group? You compliment each other so well.
Lucky I guess…Heidi was singing in town, Keith was playing with Joe Diffe, and Ira got fired by Tanya Tucker. Luck just had our three paths cross.
12) Where did the concept of headlights on the upright bass (?) come from? That is so original and so memorable.
Well Heidi was getting all of the attention so I thought up the bass idea to get noticed more. Ha ha - Ira
13) What does everyone do for relaxation when you are not on tour?
Keith works out, Ira practices and Heidi listens to music by candles.
14) Do you have a favorite “type” of venue to play in? Fair, stadium, clubs, etc.
All venues----we love to play anything, anywhere.