Both of Jewel's parents were musicians and Jewel toured with them. At age six, she began a regular yodeling routine. Her parents divorced, but Jewel continued to tour with her father for most of the next seven years.
Jewel attended Michigan's Interlochen Fine Arts Academy for her last two years of high school. The tuition was paid with a vocal scholarship. It was here that Jewel began writing her own songs and playing the guitar.
After graduating, Jewel moved to San Diego to live with her mother. She worked odd jobs, and got fired a few times before deciding to move into her van. Now free, Jewel lived there happily writing poetry and songs. She began performing at the Innerchange Coffeehouse regularly.
Although at first crowds were small, Jewel was soon performing her songs in front of sell-out crowds. It was there that Atlantic Records found her and offered her a record deal at age 19. Pieces of You was recorded live from the coffeehouse and released on February 28, 1995. Although it was a slow start, Jewel toured relentlessly and now the album has gone platinum.
Jewel's second album, Spirit is due out November 17, 1998.