Heaton's debut release in 2002, Black Notebook, was met with critical acclaim and garnered "Top DIY Pick" from Performing Songwriter magazine.
In 2004, Heaton won the Soul City Café competition and earned the opening slot for Jewel during her West Coast tour.
Heaton has also played with/ opened for Melissa Ferrick, HEM, Jill Sobule, The Pernice Brothers, Catie Curtis, Jennifer Kimball, Jonatha Brooke, and Edie Carey.
She teamed up with Gary Maurer (of HEM) to produce Blazing Red and gathered funds to record the album by taking preorders from fans.
The New York Times Online praised 'Jump' the opening track of Blazing Red, calling it "absolutely gorgeous.” She cites Peter Gabriel, Tori Amos and The Indigo Girls as her biggest influences.