New band will hit the road

Nancy Wilson has introduced Nancy Wilson’s Heart, a version without her sister and co-vocalist Ann Wilson. Nancy has tapped longtime guitarist Ryan Waters, drummer Ben Smith, bassist Andy Stoller and keyboardist Dan Walker as her band with Kimberly Nichole as her vocalist.

Wilson explains to radio station 102.3 WBAB in New York why she’s chosen to continue the Heart name without her sister.

“Heart had a big offer on the table last year for a bigger tour, but Ann wasn’t interested in going out with my lineup of guys that we were out with before. She has a new lineup of guys that she wanted me to join up with. And I sort of like, ‘I don’t really know them and don’t have loyalty yet for anybody like that.’ So I just kind of shined it on and decided when I do go out with my new singer Kimberly, I can telegraph to the people coming to the show that they’re gonna hear Heart songs in a whole different way than ever expected with,” she states. “No comparison to Ann singing or Kimberly singing those same songs, just because it’s apples and oranges. You can’t compare that stuff. So I figure that’s a way to let them know that it’s not just Nancy Wilson of Heart doing whatever, but it’s Nancy Wilson’s Heart where you’re gonna hear more Heart stuff.”

Wilson and Nichole recently joined Styx as special guests during their five show 50th anniversary engagement at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. The pair joined Styx mid-show where they performed some of Heart’s classic songs and Wilson strummed along some of Styx’s iconic hits.

Wilson also confirms new music is in the works, including a Christmas album, acoustic project and covers album of “guy friends” songs. She did not reveal a timeline for any of the projects.

Wilson released her first-ever solo album, You And Me, last year which includes a stirring tribute to Eddie Van Halen, called “4 Edward With Love.” The album also includes a cover of the Pearl Jam classic, “Daughter” which is prominently featured in the recently released Netflix film I Am All Girls.

With Heart, Wilson has recorded 16 albums, sold over 35 million albums worldwide, has four Grammy nominations, been honored with the ASCAP Founders Award and was celebrated with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.