We had the good fortune of connecting with Helen Henderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking risks has been a major part of my music career. In order to live ones Dream one must show up for ones vision and basically stick ones neck out. Allow oneself to be “seen” for ones authentic self regardless of the outcome. The public and even ones own family may choose to love or hate your art or music.

You make the music / art anyway, taking that risk of being ridiculed or rejected plus the financial risks of investing in oneself and ones art in the face of criticism and cynicism about daring to be an artist at all. It’s fools game, get a real job, have a little fun on the side with your art. One has to be prepared to make a complete fool of oneself over and over again. BEING true to ones art , ones DREAM  is not for the faint hearted. But without RISK nothing beautiful can manifest. Without people daring to DREAM the world is a grey one dimensional place.
Every major breakthrough of my music career both creatively and publicly started out with a significant risk on my part and the belief and support of fellow artists and creative people in bussiness and promotion.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a born storyteller. My voice is the instrument that carries my stories into the world, into the hearts and minds of anyone listening. I hope my songs lift people’s spirits.

I am excited that my voice and  songs  are played all over the world in several major US television shows. I am proud that in 2019 I was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Invercargill my hometown , Southland New Zealand. Im also proud of my record “Twisting Wind” recorded in 2005 at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals.  It features original members of the stellar rhythm section The  Swampers with my very talented friend Doug Pettibone on guitar. Muscle Shoals is famous for being the cradle of Rock and Roll, where the Blues met Country Music. I bought a little craftsman house there amongst the oak trees.  I love to visit sweet home Alabama and hang out with  my music friends.
I have released four Helen Henderson CDs, and followed my music dream. It is what I came here to the world to do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Getty Museum. The Malibu Pier. The Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk. Hiking the fire trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. Swimming in the ocean. Bike riding along the bike path from Marina Del Rey to Topanga Canyon.
Eating heaps of Mexican food. Seeing live blues music in small beer joints
Going to The Melrose Flea Market on Sundays.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My co writers and musical compadres Doug Hamblin, Matthew Downs and Jackie Bristow.

Website: www.helenhendersonmusic.com

Instagram: @kiwisiren

Twitter: @kiwisiren

Facebook: Helen Henderson

Image Credits
Lily Donnell, Leon Hartnett

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.