Interview: Heath Sanders on his amazing journey from Oil Field Worker to Country artist, Support from Bobby Bones, his song Bloodline and more

Heath Sanders is set be one of country music’s next biggest thing.  A former Arkansas oilfield worker turned full-time musician, Heath first gained attention from his online cover of Chris Stapleton’sEither Way.  Bobby Bones, having seen this video invited Sanders to perform on The Bobby Bones Show in 2018 and he performed his original song Bloodline which went viral and since then, Heath’s popularity has gone through the roof. 

Heath has opened for the likes of Drake White, Cory Smith and has been invited to open for Bones’ own band, The Raging Idiots. 

Sanders has joined L3 Entertainment, management home to Justin Moore, Tyler Rich, Leah Turner and Scott Stevens, and recently signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV. 

If you love real, authentic hard working country music from someone who has had a bit of life experience and puts that to his music, then Heath Sanders is your man. 

We caught up with Heath to discuss his amazing and well deserved journey from Oil Field Worker to Country star, his awesome music and much more. 

Enjoy! 

Hi Heath, how are you?  Tell us a little bit about yourself and what got you into country music. 

Well, let’s see.  I’m 35 years old.  I was born and raised in Marshall Arkansas.  Although I currently live in Cleveland Arkansas, just about an hour from my hometown, I also rent a place in Nashville where I spend the majority of my time.  Having been raised by a very religious family, music has always been a huge part of my life.  From the time I could walk, my parent were putting me on the stage at church.  Though I am a fan of many genres, country music has always felt like home to me.  As a kid growing up in the 90’s, artists like Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Tracy Lawrence and many others were highly influential in my transition into adulthood. 

How long have you been playing/singing and writing music? 

Like I said, I’ve been singing since I was a child, but didn’t pick up the guitar until I was 21.  I was lucky enough to take to strumming and singing together fairly quickly.  I attempted to write some songs in my early twenties, and they really weren’t that great.  So, I had kind of given up on it until about a year ago.  So, I guess you could say I wrote my first song in February of 2018. 

You are a wonderfully relatable artist whose story makes people want to continue to pursue their dreams, which is wonderful.  Tell us about going from being an Oil Field Worker to going viral, to Bobby Bones to now. 

Needless to say, it has been quite the ride.  I honestly never considered music as a career until last year.  It’s always been simply a hobby.  So when I saw the online response, I was pretty blown away.  But, nothing could prepare me for what was to come after Bobby reached out.  I had been a huge fan of Bobby’s for about five years prior, so I knew the weight of what was happening. You know the old adage, don’t put your cart before the horse.  After the show, that was certainly where we were.  It’s been a lot of hard work, but most of all, it has been incredibly rewarding.  I never dreamed I would be here, doing what I love for a living.  But here we are, and it’s everything I had hoped it would be. 

Bobby champions so many wonderful artists such as yourself – how important do you think people like him are to the music industry, and how did it feel when you were connected with him? 

He’s incredibly important.  Bobby’s quick wit and love for music makes him a very reliable source for listeners of all ages.  Getting the opportunity to sit down with Bobby was exciting, terrifying and intimidating all together.  But obviously without him, I’d still be playing music to my coffee table.  I’ll never be able to repay him. 

How have the folks back home and your former co workers reacted to your music? 

Ahh, not much has changed.  Obviously they are very proud, but I’m still the same ole boy I’ve always been.  I’m just blessed to have such good people in my life to fall back on. 

Do you think it is important to have lived a little and worked hard in the real world in order to be an authentic country artist and sing about real things people can relate to? 

Absolutely.  Before I quit my job in the oil field, I asked myself, what do you have to offer Nashville?  I don’t have the greatest voice, or the greatest guitar skills, but I have life experience.  I know what its like to life paycheck to paycheck and to get up at 5 am, put your boots on, and go make a living.  So if anything, I believe it’s substance that I bring to table. 

Tell us about performing with Drake White; we are big fans in the UK!  Do you have any favorite memories? 

Actually I only opened for Drake White once, although I did get to hang out with him backstage.  Such a great guy and incredible talent.  I have been a fan of his for many years, and always will be. 

Tell us about the song “Bloodline” – writing it and the story behind it? 

My buddy Rickey pitched the idea to me one night when we were headed to a show.  I hadn’t written a song in 13 years, so I hadn’t given it much thought.  But one Sunday morning, I decided to pick up my pen and give it a shot.  I really just started jotting down ideas about the life I lived and what I knew.  I think before the song was finished, it had grown into something much bigger.  It’s a pat on the back, it’s a head nod to those of us who wake up and bust our backs everyday.  Not just for ourselves and our own way of life, but for our families, our children, and their children.  It’s a song about hard work and leaving a legacy. 

How did you decide on what song to release first? 

The fans really made that decision for me and I think it was a good one.  I think it really sets the tone for who I am as an artist and the types of people I want to write for and sing to. 

Tell us about your new single, “Down on the South”

“Down on the South” is an ode to my high school years, back before we all had cell phones.  It’s simply about those nights that all the small town kids spent finding ourselves, finding love and plenty of trouble to get into. 

Who are your favorite artists and greatest influences? 

Certainly Garth Brooks tops this list.  You can name just about anyone from the 90’s and they would certainly make it as well.  As far as current artists, its the story tellers.. Luke Combs, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, that really strike a chord with me. 

What are you working on next?  Do you have any plans to visit the UK? 

I think right now we are focused on writing more and possibly cutting a couple of singles this year.  No plans to visit the UK at the moment, but if this journey has taught me anything, you never know what the future holds.  Hope to see you guys soon!