Heavy Petty was formed by Jason Hedges, Daniel App, and Jimmy Kinzer in Gainesville, FL. Jason Hedges grew up in Gainesville listening to artists such as Don Felder, The Eagles, Stephen Stills, and Tom Petty. Hedges' father went to high school with Tom Petty. While attending school at Gainesville High School, Hedges became deeply influenced by his father's music taste. He began playing music when he was 20 years old, citing Petty as a major source of inspiration because he felt Petty understood him.