10/12/2025
Thank you for being part of the Indie Music Room Podcast community.
Since our launch in June 2018, it has been my joy and honor to spotlight incredible independent artists by providing them with a platform to share their original music projects.
I need to speak candidly about the recent pause in episodes.
Life didn’t just knock—it came crashing through the door.
As some of you may know, I have had the privilege to provide full-time care for my Mom, Dad, and Grandmother for 17 years now. Mom lost her battle to her terminal illness in November 2019. They originally gave her 18 months to live, but with her will and love for her family, she made it 11 years! I am so glad she was able to catch a few of the episodes at the beginning of Indie Music Room. She was very proud and excited about my new venture.
Most recently, about four months ago, Dad suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall, and everything in my world came to a standstill. He passed away in August, and I’m only now beginning to catch up with life and its responsibilities. In the midst of all this, my grandmother, who I’ve recently moved into a nursing home, also had a serious fall that required surgery and relocation to a skilled care facility. That transition has been very time-consuming, in addition to handling Dad's estate simultaneously. I needed to take the time to process, manage the details, and find a way to begin healing before becoming available to the public again.
Over the last 2 decades, while releasing my own original music and focusing on this Podcast, I’ve also had the privilege of watching my family grow and thrive. My oldest daughter, Brittany, joined the U.S. Army, became a nurse, and most importantly, gave me the gift of three beautiful grandchildren. My youngest daughter, Brenna, graduated from UNI with a degree in Elementary Education and moved to San Jose, California, where she teaches Kindergarten and was recently tenured through the Mountain View-Whisman School District—a huge accomplishment!
To every artist who submitted work during this time—your music is safe, your stories are remembered, and you will hear from me. Your creativity never went unnoticed—it gave me something to look forward to during some of life’s hardest days.
To Blumarelo, who was next in line when the world began to tilt—thank you for your patience. You will be the VERY NEXT episode to be released in the very near future! And yes, Vincent… in 2025. (Just kidding.)
If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, quietly grieving, or overwhelmed while still trying to show up—I see you. This podcast has always been more than a platform. It’s a place where artists lift each other up, where music becomes medicine, and where community means everything.
As we move forward, I'd ask each guest to share their episode and help promote Indie Music Room. When you do, you’re not just sharing your music—you’re amplifying the voices of every artist who’s come before you and welcoming those yet to come.
Together, we grow. Together, we heal. Together, we keep the music going.
And finally, on a very special note—I’m honored to share that I’ll be inducted into the Midwest All-Music Association Hall of Fame for my work as the host of Indie Music Room and for my 20+ years in music, including the release of four full-length albums and 22 singles. This recognition means the world to me, and I couldn’t have reached this milestone without the love, support, and encouragement of this incredible community.
A heartfelt thank-you to Bill & Laura Grady, my producers and dear friends, for your unwavering patience and prayers throughout this challenging chapter. Your friendship and support mean a lot to me.
It was everything, all at once. And as I’ve often said, “I can handle anything and everything… just not all at once.”
Well, it arrived exactly that way. All at once!
I look forward to hearing your music!
With love and resilience,
Heather
Host of the Indie Music Room Podcast
