Fred Heintz of Late Night Special Live on #LocalMusicSomewhere

Q & A with Fred Heintz of Late Night Special

Hey there, folks, welcome to another edition of Local Music Somewhere. I’m your host, Greazy, and today we’ve got a very special guest in the studio. My man, Fred Lee Heintz, the fourth of Late Night Special. Welcome to the studio, Fred. What’s up, man? Good to see you. Thanks for coming out.

Hey, Greazy! Thanks for having me. It’s great to be here.

So, Fred, you are one of my favorite musicians and songwriters in the area. I’m so grateful to have you here to share your story and some of your music with us. Let’s start with your background. What inspires you as a singer-songwriter, and what drew you into the music world?

First of all, thank you, Greazy. I love you, man. You’re the people’s person—everybody knows you do right by everyone. I appreciate being here, especially with you as the host. What got me into music was, honestly, a bit of a late start. I always wanted to play music as a kid but never thought I had the talent. My parents were like, “We’ll get you music lessons,” but I wanted guitar lessons and they suggested piano or saxophone. I was set on the guitar.

It took me until I was 21 to really get into it. A friend’s older brother taught me some guitar chords and, after that, I started playing on an old Sigma acoustic guitar we had lying around. It had seen better days but I got it fixed up, learned a few chords, and from then on, I couldn’t put the guitar down.

My dad was a musician in a band called Fredenstein, but he stopped playing when I was a baby. In 2012, I reconnected with Bradley Cannon from high school, and we started playing open mics in Charlotte. I began writing songs around that time, especially after some personal setbacks, like losing my job and breaking my wrist. It was during that period I wrote some of my first songs. 

A few years later, we recorded an album and that led to forming Late Night Special with Derek Fur, Robert Shoemaker, Bradley Cannon, and myself. We released our first album in 2015, and it wasn’t until around 2016 or 2017 that I decided to pursue music full-time. Before that, I had worked as a hairdresser and ran a food truck. After a felony charge in 2011, I realized that corporate America wasn’t an option for me, so I decided to focus on being my own boss and pursue music.

That’s a true entrepreneurial spirit, Fred. It’s amazing to hear your journey from being a hairdresser and running a food truck to becoming a full-time musician. What were some of your early inspirations when you first started writing songs?

Initially, like many songwriters, I wrote about love and heartbreak. One of the first songs I wrote was called “Back Home,” reflecting on my upbringing and family life. I poured out what was in my heart without overthinking it. It’s interesting how songs can take on new meanings over time. My father passed away a couple of years ago, and now listening to those songs, I realize how much they reflect on my life and upbringing. In addition to personal experiences, I’ve always been inspired by motivational quotes and speaking. My music often carries messages of self-improvement and chasing dreams. We’re about to release a song called “Trip to Mars” which is all about pursuing your dreams.

Speaking of your music, one of your songs ended up on Pat McAfee’s podcast. Can you tell us a bit about that experience?

Sure! In 2020, some friends suggested we submit our music to Pat McAfee’s show. We sent in a few songs, including “Don’t Leave Me Lonely,” which was originally recorded in 2016 but had been sitting on a hard drive. It got picked up by Pat’s show, and suddenly, our song went viral. It was a great boost for us, and we gained a lot of fans from that exposure.

That’s awesome! It’s great to hear how that exposure really made a difference. I’ve seen your band evolve over the years, from solo performances to larger group setups. What’s been your goal with the band’s lineup and its evolution?

My main goal has always been to have a reliable band for live performances. As life changes, it’s been challenging to keep a consistent lineup. But I’ve learned that flexibility is key. Sometimes, the band’s composition changes, but the show must go on. It’s about finding the right mix for each performance and adapting as needed.

That makes sense. Now, let’s talk about the Night Lights Festival. How did that come about?

In 2019, I was invited to perform at a festival in Texas. When I arrived, I found out I was the sole performer for the night, playing for around 16,000 people. The festival owner and I hit it off, and I ended up playing several more shows with them. The festival has grown significantly, and I now serve as the emcee and entertainment director. It’s been an amazing experience, especially ending each show with a release of thousands of lanterns—it’s a magical finale.

That sounds incredible, Fred. Unfortunately, we’re running out of time. We’ll take a short break, hear a word from our sponsors, and then come back to hear you play a song. We’d love to have you back to share more about what you’ve got going on in the future.

Anytime, Greazy. Thanks for having me.

Thanks, Fred. We’ll be right back after this break. Stay tuned!