Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Heather Hickman.
Hi Mary Heather, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in El Dorado, Arkansas and raised just outside of Dallas in Frisco, Texas. I have always loved singing and performing for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was the kid who wanted to be on every stage I could find, from school talent shows to Opry houses like Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue. Songwriting came just as naturally, and it quickly became the way I expressed myself and made sense of the world around me.
After high school I attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where I fronted a band called Mary Heather & The Sinners. We played all over the region, at iconic venues such as George’s Majestic Lounge, and opened for artists such as Eli Young Band, Toby Keith, and Hank Williams Jr. I graduated with a degree in Communication, and felt that the next step for me was moving to Nashville to pursue music full time.
When I first moved to Nashville, I planned to focus on songwriting for other artists because I have always seen myself as a songwriter at heart. Over time, I realized how much I loved connecting directly with listeners as an artist as well, and that shift changed the course of my career. Over the last few years, my social media following has grown steadily, and several viral videos helped me reach people all over the world who connected with my stories. That support, along with finding the right team and collaborators, has shaped the sound I am creating today.
This past year has been very exciting. I released my debut EP, Now You Know, which I wrote with an amazing group of co-writers and recorded with musicians who brought so much heart to the project. It was produced by Kyle Manner, whose creativity and vision helped bring these songs to life in a way that feels so authentic to me. I also made my CMA Fest debut and performed at Whiskey Jam for the first time, which were both huge milestones. It has been a year of growth and a lot of gratitude, and I am excited to keep building on the momentum and continuing to carve out my place in country music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. When I first moved to Nashville, I was stepping into a city where I did not know anyone and where everyone is extremely talented and chasing the same dream. It took a while to find my footing, and there were plenty of moments when I questioned what I was doing. There were times when progress felt slow, and I dealt with the usual challenges that come with being an independent artist, including imposter syndrome, creative growing pains, and navigating the business side of things while trying to stay true to myself.
I also live with Type 1 Diabetes, which adds an extra layer of difficulty to a career that is already unpredictable. Figuring out how to take care of myself while keeping up with the pace of this industry has been a big part of my journey.
Like most people, I have also gone through breakups and personal struggles while trying to keep my career moving forward. Balancing real life with the demands of music is not always easy, but those experiences pushed me to grow and shaped a lot of the honesty and emotion in my songwriting. Even though the path has not always been easy, every challenge has played a part in who I am today, both as a person and as an artist.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a country music artist and songwriter. I love writing songs that feel like real conversations, with honest emotions and details that are specific enough to feel lived in. I am drawn to the grittier side of country music, the kind that is a little raw, a little vulnerable and not afraid to say the truth.
I’m probably most known for my song Treasure, which I wrote with my good friend Stefanie Joyce. It’s a song that pokes fun at having bad taste in men, and it definitely seems to have resonated with fans of my music. People have told me they connect with my writing because it feels genuine and unfiltered. I take that as the highest compliment. I put a lot of care into the way I phrase things, and I try to avoid clichés so listeners hear something fresh even when the topic is familiar.
I am really proud of the connection I have built with listeners. Hearing from people who say a song made them feel understood or helped them through something will always mean more to me than numbers or accolades.
I think what sets me apart is my perspective and the way I balance vulnerability with a little grit and humor. I am not afraid to write about the messy parts of life or to shine a light on the emotions people tend to tuck away. I think that blend of honesty, edge, and personality is what makes my music feel like me.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that most people wouldn’t know about me is that I am actually pretty introverted. I love performing and meeting people, but the second I get home I turn into a full-time homebody. My idea of a perfect day off is hanging out with my dogs or going to a thrift store or estate sale. I am obsessed with vintage decor and I take antique hunting very seriously. If I wasn’t making music, there is a real chance I would be running a very chaotic antique shop somewhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maryheatherhickman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryheatherhickman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryheatherhickmanmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/maryheatherhickman
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/6u6vx7yww2rPUx6LZIJxPl
