Passionate about her music and tired of trying
to support herself by competing in talent
contests, Jo Dee Messina decided to take a
chance. When introduced to an executive from
Curb Records at Fan Fair a few years ago she
jokingly said, "What you guys really need over
there is a redhead." Just as he was about to
reply, another Nashville icon, producer James
Stroud walked up and began to explain how he
had just listened to Jo Dee's demo tape and
thought she was a promising new talent. The
timing could not have been more perfect. As
fate would have it, that same executive later
signed her to the Curb Recording contract that
results in her current self-titled debut,
co-produced by Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore. This album reflects the charisma, enthusiasm
and commitment that Jo Dee Messina projects. It chronicles the tales of a young woman in search
of freedom, passion, love and adventure.
The first single, "Heads Carolina, Tails California" written by Tim Nichols and Mark Sanders, is
an uptempo, infectious bid to get out of town fast and go searching for the good life. Taking a
chance on a dream is not an unfamiliar tune to Jo Dee who, at age nineteen, left her small New
England town to come to Nashville. An inveterate adventurer, Jo Dee started singing in country
bars at fourteen. By the time she was sixteen, she was performing every weekend with The Jo
Dee Messina Band- "real original" she laughs. The band featured her brother on drums and sister
on bass guitar. Although studious, Jo Dee recalls being called on the carpet numerous times by her
high school principal for falling asleep in class after a late night gig. "We were an entirely country
band," she says, owing to the fact as a child she fell in love with the likes of Dolly Parton, Loretta
Lynn, Hank Jr., Patsy Cline and in particular, the music of The Judds. She's never considered
singing any other genre. "I have always sung country. I relate a lot more to "Leavin' On Your
Mind" than to "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." My music is very country, but it's definitely a new
breed of country."
It took Jo Dee and her
producers a year of listening to
more than one thousand songs to
pick ten for the album. She took
home a milk crate full of tapes
nightly. "I wanted depth. I wanted
songs that would mean something
to other people and to me; songs
that people have lived. We
believed in a song 110% before
we recorded it." The songs on
this new album reflect Jo Dee's
heartfelt desire to communicate to
people with her music. A gifted
songwriter herself, Jo Dee drew
on her own experience of walking
away from a dead-end
relationship when co-writing the
song, "Wing and a Prayer" with
Walt Aldridge. "He'd Never Seen
Julie Cry," an achingly beautiful ballad about a man who unexpectedly finds himself madly in love,
is also a Jo Dee favorite, "I mean, who hasn't lived that one?" The album mixes a wide spectrum
of upbeat tunes like "You're Not In Kansas Anymore" and the sassy "You Wanna Make
Something of It?" with other songs like "If We Don't Let It Go," "Walk to the Light" and "Didn't
Have to Leave You to Love You," about the many aspects of love and life. Jo Dee delivers every
song with a gutsy, confident muscularity rare in a younger singer. She is quick to credit all the
writers on the album for taking a chance on her as a new artist.
Jo Dee also gratefully acknowledges her predecessors. "Wynonna, Dolly and Reba all made my
music possible. I'm their biggest fan. I can't believe how supportive they are of other women."
When a Nashville radio station tried out the new
single and asked for listener feedback, Jo Dee was
nervous. "I mean, I want everyone to like me." She
called some friends for support, and within moments,
a woman's voice on the phone said, "Honey, I think
your song is great, you just hold your head up high
and know that you give your heart and soul." It was
Reba! "After I talked to her, I felt like I could handle
whatever came my way..." Now poised on the brink
of her much dreamed of success, this resolute singer
runs
two
or
three
miles
a
day
and
works
extensively to keep in shape for her energetic
stage performances-adamant to do whatever it
takes to get and keep the edge in a competitive
race. "I'm giving my heart, soul and life to my
music. For years and years I've dreamed about
this-about 'livin' the life. Now, I feel my life's really
begun."
