An Idaho native and named after her mother’s favorite band ZZ Top, Dusty Leigh Huston grew up in a family where music was an endless flow of country greats, and rock gods of the ’70s & ’80s. At a young age, Dusty Leigh began belting out tunes from the likes of Dolly, The Judds, K.T. Oslin, Stevie Nicks, Reba, and Trisha Yearwood, just to name a few.
Dusty Leigh’s beginning is not one of the traditional means. Idaho isn’t really known for a succeeding music scene, especially in the ’90s. Dusty Leigh’s mother made sure she performed at every local and state fair, karaoke contest, and radio station talent show to be found which helped develop her solid foundation for gritty ballads, intoxicating melodies, and broken hearts– woven into cheeky anthems and lessons learned. No matter what Dusty Leigh sings, it comes from a strong will and a life peppered with struggle, tragedy, and drive.
Dusty Leigh Huston has always been hell-bent on pursuing her music dreams, but it was during her mid-teens that she lost her mother to suicide. Anyone that knows Dusty Leigh knows she refuses to take life lying down and she never gave up on those dreams; though it would be years later that she found her place in the music world.
Shortly after losing her mother, Dusty Leigh married her high school sweetheart and together they would spend the next 15 years living military life. From weddings, and sporting events, to more talent shows and a happenstance audition on The Voice, Dusty Leigh continued to sing and perform throughout their military career.
It was during their last military tour in North Carolina that Dusty Leigh’s husband put together a band, known at the time as Whiskey Creek, composed of all active-duty military members. The band quickly fell together and pushed Dusty Leigh out of her comfort zone and straight onto the stages surrounded by thousands. What started out as just an idea, quickly turned into a full-time gigging act that would take them across state lines and straight into rock-n-roll life.
Though the adventure was short-lived, it wasn’t in vain. Leaving military life after 15 years and moving back to Idaho, Dusty Leigh’s itch to be on stage again set in and soon Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers was born.
In the summer of 2019, Dusty Leigh was signed to Emanant Music Group with legendary Producer, Chas Childers. Wasting no time, song selection began and it was like a wildfire to fulfill her childhood dream of releasing her first album. ‘Roots & Dreams,’ Dusty Leigh’s debut EP released in February 2021.
2021 brought a huge change when she packed up her entire life in Idaho and headed for Tennessee in pursuit of chasing her dreams on a higher level. Dusty Leigh wasted no time forming her third band and setting out to play new venues and make new fans!
In addition to settling into her new hometown and gearing up for a busy 2023, she’s also steadfast on completing her sophomore album, ‘The Hell I Won’t.’
Dusty Leigh has enjoyed writing new songs that resonate with things from her past in hopes that her fans will relate to what drives her to continue fighting for this dream.
Dusty Leigh has a gift for delivering honest and emotional material. Her vocals blend naturalistic lyrics with country-music ideals and draw listeners in using heartfelt melodies and genuine emotion that she herself has lived. Describing her upbringing as one stemming from “humble, but tragic beginnings” each song she sings is truly hand-crafted and recorded to portray life’s joys and struggles, all of which Dusty Leigh hopes her listeners can relate to.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
I love performing for people and hearing their stories and how they connected to my music.
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”?
I grew up around music my whole life. Both my parents loved music and I can’t recall a day when our radio or record player wasn’t on. When I was 11, my mother took me to a Reba McEntire/Brooks & Dunn concert and it was while Reba was singing “It’s Your Call” that I felt the insane magnitude that her performance had on the crowd. She was singing this heart-felt story and had people crying through it. It was intense! I knew in that moment I wanted to have that kind of effect on people!
What about your music is rebellious, unconventional, or unusual?
I refuse to put myself in a box and confirm to one style/genre, etc. Music is supposed to make you feel something. Whether it’s happiness, sad, anger, etc. I choose my songs and write them based on an experience I’ve had that I feel others might relate to, not based on a quickly fading fad.
Who are your main musical influences?
My influences change frequently and vary depending on what kind of a mood I’m in. I love that my musical taste is pretty diverse and I can take influences from very different artists and generas.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with Post Malone, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles! I love how incredibly talented they are and have such versatility! Harry is so geuine and a ballad with him would be a dream! Taylor is the complete boss babe and writing/performing an total “Watch Me” banger would be amazing! And I love Post Malone – his voice is incredible and I think doing a duet with him would be such a thrill!
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Stevie Nicks or Dolly Parton. My two favorite artist of all time.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
The stigma surrounding women and age. The industry seems to devalue a woman once they reach a certain age, unless you’ve been a succeeding artist for years. Then you’re considered a legend.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
When I was young and had just found my voice and the ability to perform, my dad told me you have to be able to make people believe in what you’re singing; make them feel the emotions you feel and draw them into the story. I live by those words when I’m writing or selecting songs, and especially when I’m performing them.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
“The Things They Never Thought I Could Do”
If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?
Did you love EVERY minute of it?
If you could learn any language fluently what would it be?
Currently learning Spanish and hope to also learn Italian!
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
Do. It. Leave the excuses at the door and just go for it.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Yellowstone! Totally hooked!
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can stand on my head :p
