Beth Hart

Beth Hart (born January 24, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter and musician from Los Angeles, California. She rose to fame with the release of her 1999 single "LA Song (Out of This Town)" from her second album Screamin' for My Supper. The single was a number one hit in New Zealand, as well as reaching the top 5 of the US Adult Contemporary and Top 10 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 charts.

For those of a similar name, see Elizabeth Hart (disambiguation).

Beth Hart
Hart in 2019
Background information
Born (1972-01-24) January 24, 1972
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
  • bass guitar
  • cello
  • percussion
Labels
Websitewww.bethhart.com

The albums Seesaw and Live in Amsterdam by Hart and Joe Bonamassa debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart, a chart she has now topped six times. Hart has had two number 1 singles in Denmark, "As Good as It Gets" and "Learning to Live", as well a double platinum-selling album, Leave the Light On.

Hart's first album with Bonamassa, Don't Explain, went gold in the Netherlands, while their 2014 collaboration Seesaw was nominated for a Grammy Award, and gave Hart her first Blues Music Award nomination in the category 'Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist'.

Early life

Hart was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. As a 4-year-old, she began to play piano. At first, she concentrated on classical works by Bach and Beethoven, but as she grew older, she also began to play pieces by artists such as Etta James, Otis Redding and Led Zeppelin.[1]

Regarding her childhood in an interview with Don Wilcock, Hart stated, "When I was a kid, my dad left me in a bad way, and what fucked me up the most was that he would be in the lives of my other sisters and brothers, but he wouldn't be in mine." At the age of 20, Hart lost her sister from complications of AIDS.[2]

Career

1987–1998: Career beginnings

Hart entered L.A.'s High School for the Performing Arts in 10th grade as a vocal and cello major. At the prompting of a classmate, she soon began singing during open mic nights in the Belly Room of the Comedy Store.[3]

Hart began playing clubs in Hollywood at the age of 15, and eventually enlisted bassist Tal Herzberg and guitarist Jimmy Khoury for Beth Hart and the Ocean of Souls, which was recorded in 1993. It includes "Am I the One" (which later appeared on her first official record "Immortal") and a pop-rock cover of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". The first released album with the Beth Hart Band,[4] Immortal, was released in 1996 through Atlantic, scanning 13,000 copies[5] and featured the single "God Bless You". It also included "Am I the One", a fan favorite that ended up on her first DVD that was released in 2005. After touring the record, including at Lollapalooza in 1996,[6] the Beth Hart Band disbanded due to infighting.[7]

In 1993, Hart appeared on Ed McMahon's Star Search, ultimately winning the Female Vocalist competition. Hart has stated that winning the show did not land her a record deal due to the stigma associated with performing on the show, and that she had burned through the prize money she received by the time she struck a deal with Atlantic Records.[8]

1999–2009: Commercial breakthrough

Hart's debut solo album, Screamin' for My Supper was released in 1999, and featured "LA Song (Out of This Town)", a No. 1 hit in New Zealand, as well as a Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart hit in the US. The song also aired during Episode 17 of the 10th and final season of Beverly Hills, 90210.[9] At the same time, Hart was singing the lead role in Love, Janis, an off-Broadway musical based on Joplin's letters home to her mother.

Hart's follow-up album, Leave the Light On, was released in 2003 via Koch Records, after being dropped by Atlantic presumably due to Hart's drug addiction.[10] While still successful in New Zealand, the album saw her breakthrough in the European market, with the single "Learning to Live" reaching number 1 in Denmark, while the album achieved a 2x Platinum certification.[11] "Learning to Live" was also used as the theme song to Losing It with Jillian on NBC. In 2003, she became the first and only musician to feature as backing vocalist for a Deep Purple song ("Haunted", released on the Bananas album).

Two years later in 2005, Hart released her first live album, Live at Paradiso, which was recorded at a former church in Amsterdam, and released both as a CD and a DVD. It featured a variety of Hart's self written songs and a cover of "Whole Lotta Love" by "Led Zeppelin".[12] Hart appears on Toots Thielemans' album One More For the Road on the track "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues", which was released in 2006.

Hart's fourth solo studio album 37 Days was released in Europe in July 2007, and eventually as a DVD as well. The album debuted at No. 1 in Denmark and spent two weeks at the top, her first album to top a national chart,[13] and additionally reached a Gold certification in the country.[14] The record was her last on a major label (Universal), though it solidified her European commercial success.

2010–2014: Independent career, collaborations with Joe Bonamassa

Her fifth solo studio album My California was released in 2010, and was her first on Provogue Records. Hart delivered music to the end-scene of the last episode of season 6 of Californication, with the title song of this record "My California". On August 23, 2012, her song "Take It Easy on Me" from My California was used in the first episode of the eighth series of the BBC TV drama Waterloo Road. On July 31, 2012, the album was released in the United States. On the same date, she released an EP titled Introducing Beth Hart.

During this time, Hart collaborated with Slash on "Mother Maria", released on the iTunes version of Slash's 2010 solo album, Slash,[15] and additionally collaborated with rapper Born on his single "It Hurts", released in February 2012.[16] Following her tour with Jeff Beck in 2006 through the United States, she appeared with him again in December 2012, at the Kennedy Center Opera House, along with a group of blues/rock musicians, performing "I'd Rather Go Blind" in tribute to Buddy Guy, who received a 2012 Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime of contributions to American culture. The performance received a standing ovation from President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama,[17] and led to the collaboration with Buddy Guy, where he recorded the song "What You Gonna Do About Me" with Beth Hart for his album Rhythm & Blues.

In 2011, Hart collaborated with blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa on their first co-release "Don't Explain", an album of blues classics. The album reached number 3 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and also went gold in the Netherlands.[18] She additionally provided vocals for the track "No Love on the Street" on Bonamassa's Dust Bowl, which was released the same year.

The following year, Hart's release Bang Bang Boom Boom became one of her biggest commercial successes, appearing on the charts of at least 10 countries, as well as becoming her first to chart on the Billboard Blues Album Chart, climbing to Number 3.[19] She worked with producer Kevin Shirley, whom she collaborated with for the first time on the album "Don't Explain". The album was released the following year in the United States.

In 2013, the duo Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa released Seesaw, again produced by Kevin Shirley. The album rose to number 8 on the Billboard Top Independent Album Chart. In 2014 Hart was nominated for a Grammy Award for Seesaw and she was also nominated for a Blues Music Award in the category 'Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist'.[20] The album additionally holds her highest peak position on the Billboard 200, reaching the Top 50.

Hart's second live album/DVD, Live in Amsterdam, was also recorded in Amsterdam, Netherlands, this time at the Royal Carre Theatre. Hart and Joe Bonamassa went on a mini European tour of five shows (Bergen, Norway - London, UK - Antwerp, Belgium - Amsterdam, Netherlands), of which two were at the Carre Theatre. Both nights were recorded and released on the DVD/LP/CD "Live in Amsterdam" in 2014.

In 2014, she performed with Jeff Beck during his Australian tour as a supporting act, in addition to joining him on stage during his set.[21]

2015–2019: Better Than Home, Fire on the Floor, Black Coffee, and War in My Mind

Hart's seventh solo studio album Better Than Home, was released on April 13, 2015 in Europe and on the following day in the US. The recording process was "painful" for Hart: the album was produced by Michael Stevens, whose cancer diagnosis pressured Hart into completing the recording of the album in just five days. In addition to this, she entered a psych ward twice while making the album.[2] Nevertheless, the lead single "Mechanical Heart" charted at number 1 in the "iTunes Blues" song list,[22] and the album entered the album charts in the Netherlands at number 1. In the USA the album entered both the Billboard Blues Charts and iTunes Blues Charts at number 1. The album also charted in other countries: number 11 in Germany and 33 in the UK. On January 29, 2016, Hart and Jeff Beck released the single "Tell Her You Belong To Me" worldwide on iTunes,[23] after performing the song live on Jools' Annual Hootenanny in 2015/2016 on BBC Two. They also performed "Nutbush City Limits" on the show as well. At the end of 2015, Mojo magazine ranked the album as the fourth best blues album of the year, while Hart appeared as one of the narrators for the documentary film Unity.[24]

Hart released her eighth studio album, Fire on the Floor, on October 14, 2016, in Europe, New Zealand and Australia. For the rest of the world it was released on February 3, 2017, to coincide with her tour. Hart wrote all songs herself, except for "Let's Get Together" (with Rune Westberg) and "Fat Man" (with Glen Burtnik).[25] The title track was released first followed by "Love Is a Lie", which is the official first single off the album.

On January 26, 2018, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa released Black Coffee, again produced by Kevin Shirley.[26][27] The album debuted at number 1 on the US Blues Chart,[28] and also in the Dutch album top 100.[29]

On November 30, 2018, Hart released a live concert recording, Live at the Royal Albert Hall, as a live album and as a video release on Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group. The recordings were captured in May 2018 when she performed at the Royal Albert Hall.[30]

Hart released her ninth solo studio album, War in My Mind, on September 27, 2019, through Provogue/Mascot Label Group.[31] The album became her highest-charting solo album in a number of European markets, including the UK where it reached the Top 20, as well as Germany, where it hit the Top 10.

Artistry

Hart is known for her "visceral", "gritty", "soaring" and "dynamic" contralto vocals.[1][17] Hart also plays piano, guitar, cello, bass guitar and percussion.[32]

Describing his collaborator's performance at Blue Balls Festival in Switzerland, Joe Bonamassa told Music Radar: "I was totally knocked out by Beth. Here's this lady who's acting like I'm the cool one, and meanwhile I'm thinking, Man, she's got it all. She's the new Janis Joplin, Tina Turner - the real deal, you know?"[33]

Personal life

Hart is married to her road manager Scott Guetzkow,[34] and currently resides in Los Angeles. Her manager is David Wolff.[35] Hart has struggled with drug addiction and bi-polar disorder,[36] but has been sober for a number of years using religion and practicing transcendental meditation.[37]

Awards and nominations

At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Hart received a nomination for Best Blues Album with Seesaw, ultimately losing to Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite's Get Up!. Hart has been nominated at the Blues Music Awards for five consecutive years, ultimately winning the "Instrumentalist - Vocals" category in 2018.[38]

Year Ceremony Award Nominated work Result Ref.
2012 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Album Don't Explain Nominated [39]
2014 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [40]
Grammy Awards Best Blues Album Seesaw Nominated [41]
Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [42]
2015 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [43]
2016 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [44]
2017 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [45]
Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [46]
2018 Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [47]
Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Album of the Year Fire on the Floor Nominated [47]
Blues Music Awards Instrumentalist – Vocals Herself Won [48]
Blues Blast Awards Female Blues Artist Herself Won [49]

Discography
Main article: Beth Hart discography

References
  1. "Beth Hart brings raw and powerful blues-rock sound to The Brook in Southampton". Chichester Observer. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. Wilcock, Don (March 4, 2016). "Featured Interview – Beth Hart". Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  3. "Beth Hart Biography". Broadway World. Wisdom Digital Media. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  4. Ankeny, Jason. "Biography: Beth Hart". AllMusic. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  5. Billboard. Billboard Magazine. July 3, 1999. p. 15. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  6. Billboard Magazine. Billboard. May 25, 1996. p. 22. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  7. Billboard Magazine. Billboard. October 2, 1999. p. 108. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  8. Greenblatt, Mike (September 26, 2013). "For Beth Hart, success is sweeter the second time around". F+W Media. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  9. "Beverly Hills 90210 - Season 10, Episode 17: Doc Martin". TV.com. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  10. Houk, Steve. "Beth Hart: Surviving to Sing". Mid Life Rocker. Retrieved August 9, 2018. They said, you know what, buh bye, you're outta here, we're letting you go, you're gonna die and we're not gonna stand by. And maybe the honest to God reason is 'cuz I didn't sell enough records and they thought, [screw] this girl we've had for two records. But I think there was a bit of real compassion there, I really do.
  11. "Beth Hart - Leave the Light On". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  12. Keefe, Jonathan (September 12, 2015). "Beth Hart Live At Paradiso". Slant. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  13. "BETH HART - 37 DAYS (ALBUM)". Danish Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  14. "Gold and Platinum in August". IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original on January 17, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  15. "Slash by Slash". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  16. "It Hurts (feat. Beth Hart) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  17. "The Drop: Beth Hart". The Grammy Organization. The Grammys. June 3, 2015. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2018. Hart's Buddy Guy tribute alongside Beck at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony received a standing ovation from President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
  18. "Don't Explain Gold". Living By Camera. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  19. "Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart". Billboard. June 22, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  20. "2016 Blues Music Awards | 37th Blues Music Award Nominees". The Blues Foundation. December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  21. Bylok-Collard, Avrille. "Jeff Beck Announces 2014 Bluesfest Sideshow". Beat. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  22. ""Mechanical Heart" #1 on iTunes". Beth Hart. June 3, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  23. "Beth Hart - Posts - January 29, 2016". Facebook. January 29, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  24. Dave McNary (April 22, 2015). "Documentary 'Unity' Set for Aug. 12 Release with 100 Star Narrators". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  25. Pilato, Giovanni (October 20, 2016). "Beth Hart - Fire On The Floor". Bluebird Reviews. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  26. "Hart/Bonamassa announce "Black Coffee"". Blues Rock Review. December 6, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  27. Maxwell, Jackson (December 6, 2017). "Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa Announce New Album, 'Black Coffee'". Guitar World. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  28. "Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart". Billboard. February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  29. "Hart helpt Bonamassa aan eerste plaats in album top 100". Album Top 100 (in Dutch). February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  30. Munro, Scott (October 3, 2018). "Watch Beth Hart perform Good As It Gets at the Royal Albert Hall". Classic Rock. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  31. Munro, Scott (July 19, 2019). "Beth Hart is back with new album War In My Mind - listen to the title track". Louder. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  32. "Beth Hart rocks the Birchmere". Women in Rock. October 26, 2014. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  33. Bosso, Joe (November 7, 2011). "Interview: Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart on their new album, Don't Explain". Music Radar. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  34. "Beth Hart Looks To The 'Light'". Billboard. September 25, 2003. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  35. "Mobile Production Monthly" (PDF). Mobileproductionpro.com. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  36. Dearmore, Kelly (January 4, 2012). "Beth Hart Talks Redemption, Addiction and Star Search". Dallas Observer. Retrieved June 26, 2012. But the visions of gold records were clouded by addiction and recklessness. Having used drugs in one form or another since her teenage years
  37. Criblez, David J. (February 7, 2017). "Singer-songwriter Beth Hart to play at The Space at Westbury". Newsday. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  38. "2018 Blues Music Awards Nominees and Winners". Blues.about.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  39. "2012 Blues Music Awards". About.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  40. "2014 Blues Music Awards". BLues.about.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  41. "Grammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations List". Billboard. December 6, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  42. "2014 Blues Blast Awards Winners". Blues Blast Magazine. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
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  44. "2016 Blues Music Awards". PR Newswire. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
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  47. "2018 Blues Music Awards". The Blues Foundation. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  48. "2018 Blues Music Awards Winners Announced". The Blues Foundation. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  49. "2018 Blues Blast Awards Nominees". Blues Blast Magazine. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
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