Since Beth was a little girl she’s been into music. At the age of 4 she started to play the piano, waking her family up in the middle of the night. First she played mainly classical music by Beethoven and Bach, but growing up she expanded her knowledge to include music by Etta James, Otis Redding, James Brown and even Led Zeppelin. When Beth was 5, her father spent time in jail time for drugs and soon after his release her parents divorced, after 15 years of marriage.

Her mother would later remarry and Beth’s family would grow to include stepsiblings. At the very young age of 11, Beth herself started using alcohol and drugs (including cocaine and speed). A few years later would be introduced to heroin by her boyfriend at 15.

Beth attended ‘The LA High School For The Performing Arts’ as a singing and cello major. When the phenomenon “open stage” was launched, she couldn’t keep away. Almost overnight Beth was playing five times most weeks on her school stage or in ‘The Belly Room’ and the ‘Comedy Store’. She also entered some talent auditions where Beth left a big impression. In 1993 she competed on the TV show called ‘Star Search’ (comparable to Idols).

She won the show 13 weeks in a row (including the finals) singing covers as “Like The Way I Do” by Melissa Etheridge, “Piece Of My Heart” by Janis Joplin, “Think” by Aretha Franklin and some songs she had written herself like “Show Me The Way” and “Am I The One”.

As a result of all the late nights and her alcohol addiction Beth didn’t go to all her classes and finally she was expelled. She then dabbled in a real estate education and soon found that was not for her. Without a diploma or any knowledge of any kind of business/job, Beth decides to follow her heart: music.

In the music scene of Los Angles Beth meets the Israelian bass player Tal Herzberg. The two of them love the same music style and seem to complete each other musically. A strong friendship grows between the two musicians and they start to perform and added Jimmy Khoury’s guitar playing skills. They performed on a rug with a few candles on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA.
At one of these outdoor jams David Wolff (Cyndi Lauper previous manager) came across Beth and saw someone put $100 in her guitar case. He was taken by her talent and wanted to be her manager. After Beth’s last negative experience with a manager she was hesitant, but gave decided to test the waters out. The Beth Hart Band was pulled together adding Sergio Gonzalez on the drums to their sound and soon she was offered her a deal with 143/Lava/Atlantic Records. Beth called her sister Sharon and said: “We’re gonna be alright, I got a deal!” Right before she went in the studio she had a show in Jamaica. Upon returning to LA she found out her sister, Sharon had passed away the same day, from aids at the age of 32. “That was a cruel trade-off. I know there’s a balance in life, but that didn’t seem fair.”

After signing this star to be, the first record “Immortal” (1996) was released in America and Germany followed by a 9 months during tour. The road took its toll on the band and upon there return to LA they took a much needed break. “It was our first time on the road, the band was fighting and I was way too neurotic about stuff”, says Beth. “When it was over I was like, I don’t want to go home. And Birmingham was a good place to separate from the world.”

After 5 months Beth returned with enough material to record a new album “Screamin’ For My Supper” (1999). A tough rock album with radio friendly songs, made in the best Americana pop and rock tradition. On this album Beth works with friend Herzberg again. The autobiographic piano song “LA Song (Out Of This Town)” becomes a hit in America and Holland. “I realized that the good life I was dreaming of was not going to be in Alabama or South Africa or wherever. It's got to come from the inside. And that's when I decided to go back to L.A. and figure out my stuff. I started to take a little bit better care of myself and focus on the fact that I'm lucky to get to do this.” At this time she employed a new stage hand, Scott Guetzkow, whom would later become her husband.

After the release of the album, Beth was asked by director Richard Donner to do a movie about the life of Janis Joplin. Beth did not see herself as the type to play in movies. Several months later she was asked to audition for a theatre version of the life of Janis, she didn’t hesitate a single moment.

Beth had a difficult time dealing with success and buried herself in alcohol and drugs. On the advice of her label she visited a doctor who prescribes Klonopin. Suddenly Beth is able to sing without getting tired and stopped drinking and eating too. She lost so much weight that she ended up weighing 108 pounds. Beth’s record label was shocked by her appearance when she was on the ‘Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno that they ended her contract promptly. Beth spiralled further by make false doctor’s prescriptions which landed her in jail for a time. For her that was the last drop in the bucket and started treatment in rehab.

“It got to where I lost music. I went from 98 pounds to 180 pounds, and couldn't kick. I didn't want to live anymore, but I was too afraid to die. So I started cutting myself.” In the end it was her now husband Scott Guetzkow and her manager Dave Wolff who helped her seek out professional help and later went along to Alanon meetings. In 2003 Beth and Scott were married in a small chapel in Las Vegas. “There are days I'm scared as hell. But for the most part, it's better. In fact, some days I'm so f*cking happy, I can't stop laughing.”

Leave The Light On” (2004) is third album by this phenomenal singer. The recording is a revealing and brave search. With all raw emotions and a very personal and honest search for a place that’s hidden far away in the heart. Beth Hart: “With this album I wrestle with the sharp edges of life and look at it with a magnifying glass. I didn’t allow myself to hold back. I didn’t want to do ‘the typical thing’. I wasn’t afraid for the feelings that I showed, because they are all real. I know the difficult circumstances off which I sing and I’ve been through it all.” On this album Beth introduces her new band containing Jon Nichols (guitar) and Tom Lilly (bass). A full time drummer seems impossible at this time. Good friend Berney Pershey plays with her a couple of times but is also really busy with other projects. And in the end also John Nyman turns out not to be a keeper. Leave The Light On has been released in different countries like the USA, Australia, Holland, Denmark and Germany. In some countries it has even been re-released with extra tracks on it. The single “Learning To Live” became a number 1 hit in Denmark and the record reached the golden status.

One of the most impressive shows was on May 7th 2004 in sold out Paradiso (Amsterdam). This show has been recorded and released on a DVD called “Live At Paradiso” (2005). It shows how pure and incredible good Beth Hart really is. The energy and power is certainly there on her records, but live, Beth and her wonderful band are even better!

Beth recently collaborated with the Dutch artist Born on his song “It Hurts”. After a lot of touring for “Leave The Light On”, Beth and band (now with drummer Todd Wolf) are ready for a new and very special album. The cd "37 Days" will be release at the end of July. For more information about the status of this album go to www.rehearsals.com.

Sources: www.bethhart.com, www.3fm.nl, www.epinions.com