Stealin Horses
Stealin Horses grew out of Kiya's college band Radio Cafe. Castle Records in Franklin, TN signed Kiya and drummer Kopana Terry as Stealin Horses and then sold the band to Arista during a song-signing craze and bidding war with 17 other labels. The band was signed to Arista at the first SXSW music festival in 1987 in Austin, TX. Stealin Horses released their self-titled debut CD in 1988 on Arista Records.
The CD featured outstanding California session musicians such as Russ Kunkel and Toto. The CD even has an appearance by Neil Young. The single, Turnaround, topped #32 on the AOR charts with medium play rotation on MTV.
Stealin Horses toured the US and Canada playing with acts including Level 42, Wang Chung, James Brown, Rank and File, The Smithereens, and The Stray Cats, culminating with a 1990 performance at Farm Aid IV. The group re-formed to tour as a five-piece in Oklahoma after being dropped from Arista in 1991.
Stealin Horses played at SXSW for a second time and then signed to Mississippi label, Waldoxy/Malaco. The band released, Mesa and Mandolins in 1991.
They toured constantly for two years and disbanded in 1993. Kiya released a solo album called True Frontiers, in 1993, for Malaco, which garnered a #1 on the Indie Americana charts with Home. Stealin Horses is celebrating it's 38th anniversary this year. For more on Stealin Horses see Kopana Terry's excellent site.
About Kiya
Kiya Heartwood ( Stealin Horses, Wishing Chair ) is a Unitarian Universalist minister and an award-winning, roots/folk singer songwriter, composer and change artist. The UK’s Broadway Baby describes Kiya Heartwood as “an award-winning American singer-songwriter who writes smart, funny and poignant songs" Heartwood "serves up a lively batch of original songs that follow on to two of the oldest traditions of folk music: storytelling and political broadside.” Kiya makes her happy home in Bryan, Tx with her wife, Rev. Meg Barnhouse.
Discography
SOLO:
Little Wars (2018)
Palo Duro (2016)
The Living Tree (2013)
Bold Swimmer (2012)
True Frontiers ( 1993)
Gravity (1983)
WISHING CHAIR:
Best of Wishing Chair (2013)
Stand Up 8 (2009)
Folk and Roll - Live in Austin (2007)
Underdog (2005)
Dishpan Brigade (2003) (w/ Kara Barnard)
Crow (2002)
The Ghost of Will Harbut (2000)
Undisputed Country (1998)
Singing with the Red Wolves (1995)
STEALIN HORSES:
Best of Stealin Horses (2013)
Mesas and Mandolins (1991)
Stealin Horses (1988)
The Ballad of the Pralltown Cafe (1986)
RADIO CAFE:
First World ep (1985)