Susan Hickman

Artist Information

Biography

SUSAN HICKMAN

Susan Hickman has found her niche in a blend of rocking, uplifting country that hints at a range of influences from Janis Joplin to Carrie Underwood. Passion is evident from the very first note, and her considerable talent allows her to segue from whisper-quiet reflections to barn-burnin' romps with ease. Hickman's in control and loving it – and she proves it on her debut country CD, SUSAN HICKMAN.

With her new CD, Susan is not only sharing her love of music - she's hoping to connect with a global audience. "I really identify with the songs on this project," Susan says from her home in Atascocita, Texas. "And I think that a lot of other folks will, too." Produced by Doug Deforest (Todd Fritsch, Doug Spartz, Jonathan Edwards), the disc is the perfect showcase for Susan’s fresh and vibrant vocals. Highlights abound and include songs by top-notch Nashville tunesmiths Brett James, Mila Mason, Bobby Pinson and others. "Red" is a dark tale of jealousy and rage, while the two-steppin' fun-loving, "Wrapped Up In Me" offers a light-hearted change of pace. The contemporary ballad "Hell Still Ain't Frozen Over" works well with Susan's favorite, the poignant "One Of Those Who Make It Up There." Closing the disc is Hickman's soulful take on Gregg Allman's classic southern rocker, "Whipping Post."

The 24-year old beauty is not without credentials; over the past few years she has shared the stage with high-profile acts like Tracy Byrd, Jo Dee Messina, Kevin Fowler, Steve Holy, The Lost Trailers and Phil Vassar, to name a few. Her live shows are energetic, and she’s developed quite a following in her home state. “I love performing,” Susan says admits. “When you can feel the audience’s energy, you know you’re doing your job.”

Music has always been a part of the feisty blonde’s life story; she started taking piano lessons when she was just five years old and added the violin in her teens. Just four years ago she began to teach herself guitar. "Yes, I'm blessed to come from a very musical family," she laughs. "We were always singing and playing; our family reunions are just awesome."

Susan grew up singing in the church choir, listening to her parents’ favorite classic rock songs, and hearing her mom sing opera around the house. Her mother often made up songs to get her two daughters motivated. “There was literally a song for everything,” Susan recalls. “Gonna clean house today? Yep, she had just the song to put you in the mood.” That musical backdrop helped drive the Texan’s love of song, and according to her parents, the exposure began when Susan was still in the cradle. Family legend tells us that Hickman was actually singing before she started talking. "Crazy, right?" Susan laughs. "Well, some things never change."

Another thing that hasn't changed is this songbird’s precociousness. When she was just 12-years old, Susan cold-called a talent agency and scheduled an audition. Why? "My mom told me I'd have to convince her that I was sure I wanted a career in music before she'd let me pursue it,” Susan recalls. “Making that call was my way of showing her that I was serious. She's been behind me every step of the way, ever since."

While that first phone call didn't lead to instant stardom, it did give Hickman an insider's look at the industry - and helped prepare her for the work ahead. Her life, she says, has been focused on a career in entertaining ever since.

Susan is the human equivalent of a perpetual motion “machine” - and she now divides her time between live performances, songwriting, rehearsals and her web design work. “I’m always busy,” Susan confides with a laugh. “But I’m also pretty much happy all the time. I promised myself that my ‘job’ would be something I loved. Music is it.”

Another promise the aspiring star made was to never compromise herself or her music. “I’ve always said that if I tell you something, it’s the truth. For me, if it’s even possible, when I sing something - it’s even truer,” Susan states. Her moral compass leads her in everything from song choices to venue selections – and she is steadfast in her beliefs.

While Hickman was raised in Houston, her childhood years were imbued with a “small town” feel. “My little sister was – and is – my closest friend,” Hickman states. The two shared a childhood filled with secret, homemade slip ‘n slide adventures (indoors no less) and late night television marathons watching old westerns. It was an idyllic life in many ways, and one that Hickman is determined to emulate.

Introduced to her husband Matt by a mutual friend four years ago, Susan is on the fast-track to happiness. Kids? "Yeah, someday," she says with a smile. In the meantime, she's performing every chance she gets. "I love the energy of the crowd," says Susan. "It's really powerful when the audience relates to you and your music." This young artist is driven to make those connections. Combine her talent with that passion - and you have the magic that is Susan Hickman.

www.susanhickman.com
September 10, 2009

Instrumentation

Susan Hickman - Lead Vocals
Danny Klotz - Lead Guitar and Vocals
Darrell Green - Drums - Percussion and Vocals
Craig Gysler - Keys - Effects and Vocals
CJ DiPalma - Bass and Vocals

Discography

Susan Hickman - You Just Missed This Train - Released in Europe April of 2008 peaked at #27 on the top 40 European charts.

Susan Hickman - Sunday Paper -
Released in Europe June of 2008 peaked at #5 on the top 40 European charts and peaked at #5 on the top 20 European independent charts.

Susan Hickman - Wrapped Up In Me -
Released in Europe October of 2008
the #19 slot on the top 40 European charts and # 17 on the top 20 Independent charts.
And just recently made a re-entry at #37

All three are getting daily airplay overseas.

Susan Hickman - Hell Still AIn't Frozen Over
Will be released on the 10th anniversary of hot disc in January 2009... Will follow up with chart info.

The self titled record by Susan Hickman is released as of January 2009.

Official Website

http://www.susanhickman.com

Links

• Susan's Official Website
• Susan's MySpace
• Official Spiffingtons Website
• Spiffingtons MySpace

Audio

• Wrapped Up In Me
  Listen   Download
• RED
  Listen   Download
• Hell Still Ain't Frozen Over
  Listen   Download
• Sunday Paper
  Listen   Download
• One Of Those Who Makes It Up There
  Listen   Download
• You Just Missed This Train
  Listen   Download
• Friday At The Latest
  Listen   Download
• Wounded Heart
  Listen   Download
• Do Me A Miracle
  Listen   Download
• Whipping Post
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Sunday Paper
• Hell Still Ain't Frozen Over
• RED

Video

Susan Hickman The Spiffingtons

Photo Gallery

Press

• Stuart Cameron talks Country [+ Show ]
  

  Susan Hickman She's sexy, talented and a dynamic new Country performer from America. Her latest sin...Susan Hickman
  She's sexy, talented and a dynamic new Country performer from America. Her latest single, Sunday Paper, is a hard hitting cracker of a cut which has loads of appeal. The 22 year old from Houston, Texas, has been involved in music most of her young life, playing piano and violin and currently adding guitar to her list! Her first outing into the
  world of recording came when she was 15 when she recorded a pop album but it was a chance meeting with Doug DeForest, a superb producer, which turned her on to Country music and she's never looked back. One listen to her new single shows without doubt that she is very much at home with Country music.

• Hot Country News June 12 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  Kate Sansing, Susan Hickman and Rodney Atkins have good weeks in the Top 20 with healthy moves upwar...Kate Sansing, Susan Hickman and Rodney Atkins have good weeks in the Top 20 with healthy moves upwards

• Dave Peters, Chairman [+ Show ]
  

  Hello Susan We do look forward to hear from you soon, we are very thankful for great people like you...Hello Susan We do look forward to hear from you soon, we are very thankful for great people like you, your song is getting some great reviews in our area, we also find many of our listeners listen to your lyrics, and the words are very important to be clear, this is why we all love country music, you play a big part in our station broadcast. Thank you Susan. Dave Peters, Chairman, Radio F.M. Country 97.4 FM 24hr Network.

• Stuart Cameron talks Country [+ Show ]
  

  Susan Hickman This fabulous American Country singer has a storming new single released this month. ...Susan Hickman
  This fabulous American Country singer has a storming new single released this month. The driving Wrapped Up In Me combines foot stomping fiddle with a cracking vocal performance. The song will crossover from radio on to the dancefloor well and the Houston based singer, who lists Janis Joplin, Pat Benatar and LeAnn Rimes among her influences, is still a young 23 year old who loves songwriting as much as singing. There's a campaign on her website at the moment to bring her to the UK. Where do I sign that petition?

• Hot Country News - January 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  One of the Hotdisc acts who is currently creating quite a bit of interest is Susan Hickman from Amer...One of the Hotdisc acts who is currently creating quite a bit of interest is Susan Hickman from America. The singer has a new self-titled album out and she is understandably excited about it. Her current single, "Hell Still Ain't Frozen Over", has entered the Hotdisc Top 40 this week, and her website is www.susanhickman.com

Setlist

Our shows are usually 4 hours long, 3 one hour sets with 20 min break in between.
Or, 4 45 min sets with 15 min break in between.

Our typical set list consists of the original country music stylings of Susan Hickman, Hits of all genres including: rock, pop, funk, r&b, soul, country, blues, jazz, from the 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's - current.

Susan Hickman & The Spiffingtons Song List

Susan Hickman - Country Originals

1. Wrapped up in me
2. Do me a miracle
3. Friday at the latest
4. Hell still ain’t frozen over
5. One of those who makes it up there
6. RED
7. Sunday paper
8. Whipping post
9. Wounded heart
10. You just missed this train

Country
Susan
1. Before he cheats
2. Blue
3. Blue bayou
4. Broken wing
5. Crazy
6. Don’t it make my brown eyes blue
7. Gunpowder & lead
8. Here for the party
9. I hope you dance
10. I could not ask for more
11. Jackson (duet)
12. Last name
13. Redneck woman
14. Strawberry wine (waltz)
15. Texas when I die
16. Unchained melody
17. When I think about cheating
18. When will i be loved
19. When you say nothing at all
20. How do I live
21. Still the one
22. Something more
23. Tonight the heartache’s on me
24. Walking after midnight

Danny
1. adilida
2. all my ex’s
3. big city
4. boys from oklahoma
5. deep in the heart of texas
6. family tradition
7. folsom
8. friends in low places
9. good ol’ boys
10. hey baby que paso
11. hey bartender
12. I cross my heart
13. I loved ‘em everyone
14. Jackson (duet)
15. Just to be you man
16. Little sister
17. Luckenbach
18. Margaritaville
19. Take me back to tulsa
20. That’s what daddy wants
21. Uno maas cerveza
22. waltz across texas (waltz)
23. you don’t have to call me darlin’
24. hey good lookin
25. jambalaya
26. move it on over
27. san Antonio rose
28. tiger by the tail
29. workin’ man blues

Darrell
1. amazed
2. boot scoot boogie
3. but for the grace of god
4. the dance
5. don’t let our love start slippin
6. guitars & cadillacs
7. I just want to dance with you
8. I loved her first (waltz)
9. neon moon
10. stars on the water
11. you had me from hello
12. you look so good in love (waltz)

Craig
1. the fireman
2. lay down sally
3. past the point of rescue
4. peaceful easy feeling
5. small town sat. nite
6. stay here & drink
7. that’s the way love goes
8. wave on wave
9. just call me lonesome

CJ
1. as good as I once was
2. barlight
3. just to be your man
4. matilda/ medley
5. play something country

Waltz
1. I loved her first
2. Strawberry wine
3. Waltz across texas
4. You look so good in love
5. Tenn. Waltz (inst)


50’s
susan
1. unchained melody (or 60’s?)
2. crazy

danny
1. Blue suede shoes
2. Hound dog
3. Little sister
4. rock around clock/medley (jump jive)
5. sleepwalk
6. tequila
7. thestroll

Darrell
1. the twist
2. these arms of mine (or 60’s)
3. under the boardwalk

craig
1. don’t be cruel
2. Kansas city
3. Wonderful world (or 40’s)

CJ
1. blueberry hill
2. Johnny b goode


60’s
susan
1. Boots are made
2. chain of fools
3. natural woman
4. piece of my heart
5. respect
6. shout
7. you cant hurry love
8. bobby mcgee
9. dancing in the street
10. Locomotion
11. It’s my party

danny
1. bad moon rising
2. come together
3. green onions
4. harlem shuffle (also 80’s & line dance)
5. hit the road jack
6. pipeline
7. red house
8. something

Darrell
1. birthday
2. brown eyed girl
3. eight days a week
4. I feel good
5. I love you more today than yesterday
6. moondance
7. Mustang sally
8. My girl
9. Sittin’ on the dock of the bay
10. spooky
11. These arms of mine (or 50’s)

Craig
1. Break on throu
2. born to be wild
3. California girls
4. Good loving
5. Hush
6. Louie louie
7. Love potion #9
8. Magic carpet
9. White room

CJ
1. ain’t too proud to beg
2. mustang sally
3. hard to handle (also 90’s)
4. unchain my heart (70’s)

70’s
susan
1. barracuda
2. blue bayou
3. car wash
4. dancing queen
5. funky town
6. I will survive
7. Lady marmalade (also 90’s)
8. rhiannon
9. Upside down
10. We are family
11. when will I be loved
12. whipping post

danny
1. another brick in the wall
2. blue jean blues
3. call me the breeze
4. cat scratch fever
5. cocaine
6. gimme 3 steps
7. gimme shlter
8. hey bartender
9. honky tonk woman
10. jumpin jack flash
11. oye como va
12. pearl necklace
13. play that funky music
14. rock n roll all nite
15. sweet emotion
16. that’s the way I like it
17. waiting in vain

Darrell
1. allright now
2. back in love
3. boogie shoes
4. brickhouse
5. celebration
6. cheeseburger in paradise
7. drift away
8. feel like makin’ love
9. hot blooded
10. hotel California
11. I wish
12. Let’s get it on
13. Renegade
14. Rock n roll fantasy
15. Signed sealed delivered
16. Some kind of wonderful
17. Superstition

Craig
1. boogie man
2. breakdown (or 80’s)
3. bright side of the road (or 60’s)
4. evil woman
5. feelin’ allright
6. forever in blue jeans
7. I shot the sheriff
8. La grange
9. Lay down sally
10. Old time rock n roll
11. Oye como ova
12. Peaceful easy
13. Werewolves in London
14. Wonderful tonight

CJ
1. black magic woman
2. brandy
3. can’t get eough of your love babe
4. freebird
5. the joker
6. knockin on heavns door
7. lowrider
8. old time rock n roll
9. one way out
10. standing on shaky ground (70’s)
11. tore down (60’s or 70’s)
12. stormy monday
13. waitin on bus/jesus left Chicago
14. ymca

80’s
susan
1. billie jean
2. black velevet
3. call me
4. heartbreaker
5. hit me w. best shot
6. I love rock n roll
7. I want you to want me
8. love shack
9. you really got me

danny
1. cars
2. harlem shuffle (also 60’s)
3. pink cadillac
4. pride & joy
5. rock this town
6. stray cat strut

Darrell
1. hold on loosely
2. kiss on my list
3. lady in red
4. lights
5. stone in love
6. sledgehammer
7. with or w/out you

Craig
1. breakdown (or 70’s)
2. love shack

CJ
1. angel eyes
2. before you accuse me
3. bad case of loving you (80’s)
4. cold shot
5. jenny 867-5309
6. jessie’s girl
7. tx flood
8. word up


90’s –current
susan
1. behind these hazel eyes
2. black horse & cherry tree
3. bring me to life
4. bubbly
5. don’t know why
6. falling
7. get the party started
8. I cant make you love me
9. Just a girl
10. kiss me
11. lady marmalade (also 70’s)
12. like a bird
13. no one
14. something to talk about
15. torn
16. turn me on
17. what’s up
18. who knew
19. call me when you’re sober
20. hellagood

danny
1. all star
2. mambo swing
3. picture
4. shadow of the day
5. smooth

Darrell
1. are you in
2. in the end
3. this love
4. makes me wonder

Craig
1. beautiful day
2. heaven
3. heavy
4. I wont back down
5. in the end
6. last dance w. mary jane
7. snow (hey oh)

CJ
1. all the small things
2. kryptonite
3. my own worst enemy


latin or similar
1. jump in line
2. mambo swing
3. oye como va
4. smooth
5. tequila
6. hey baby que paso

disco/dance
susan
1. billie jean
2. boogie oogie
3. call me
4. can’t get enough of your love babe
5. car wash
6. chain of fools
7. dancing queen
8. funky town
9. get the party started
10. I will survive
11. Lady marmalade
12. love shack
13. respect
14. stayin alive
15. upside down
16. we are family

danny
1. play that funky music
2. that’s the way I like it

Darrell
1. brickhouse
2. boogie shoes
3. carribean queen
4. play that funky music
5. shining star

craig
1. boogie man
2. shining star
cj
1. word up
2. let it whip/no parking

slow songs/ballads
susan
1. at last
2. bubbly
3. crazy
4. don’t know why
5. falling
6. natural woman
7. no one
8. turn me on
9. unchained melody
10. how do I live

danny
1. I cross my heart
2. It had to be you
3. Something

Darrell
1. Drift away
2. Lady in red
3. Let’s get it on
4. Moondance (not really slow, but it is kinda mellow)
5. sara smile

craig
1. the way you look tonight
2. wonderful tonight
3. wonderful world

CJ
1. angel eyes
2. drift away

Basic Requirements

Calendar