Country Stars Central

 

(CSC) 1. Tell us about your NEW album “Unmistakable.” What can your fans expect to hear from you this time around?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

What to expect! Well, “Unmistakable” is an album that I finished about a year ago. I did a lot of writing for the record. The topic of the songs on the albums that I record always reflects what I’m going through in my life during the making of the record. So it sort of varies album per album. I didn’t have a conscious effort going into the record as far as specific details. I did have a conscious effort about the sound of the record. A lot of my records have been really compressed, and the music has been a little bit more complicated than this current album. We consciously went into the studio to make it sound like I was singing LIVE with a band, versus the record being laid over layers and layers of guitars, and backgrounds that are unfeasible to cover. We wanted it to be real, and that was what we captured in the making of this record. A REAL sound! 

 

 

(CSC) 2. Your latest single “I’m Done” has just been released to radio. What is the story behind this song?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

“I’m Done” is the first single that I’ve written. I’ve had songs that I’ve written on albums but “I’m Done” is the first single that’s been released that’s out there. It’s a real story. It’s a story about this guy I was dating who kept calling his ex-girlfriend, and she made a big deal about it. She thought that he was going to go back to her, and prove to me that she had him. So I told her, “Sister you can have him, I’m done!” I didn’t want trash like that in my life. (Laughing) I don’t need it.

 

 

(CSC) 3. You had a lot of involvement on this record as a songwriter and co-producer. What was it like for you being able to have so much freedom with the album?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

I’ve co-produced a lot of my records. So this isn’t the first time I’ve co-produced an album. I love being able to do it because then I have a say on the sound and what goes into the record. It really reflects me when it’s out there. 

 

 

(CSC) 4. How have you changed as an artist and songwriter since you first came to Nashville?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

I think that with my songwriting I’ve gotten a little bit more valiant with it. I’ll go out and take chances, and I don’t have to write songs that are right down the middle. I’ve learned how to put my thoughts into words and music better.

 

 

(CSC) 5. Country music is evolving constantly. Did you ever feel that you weren’t taken seriously as a female artist early in your career?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

When I came to Nashville and was signed, that was during the days of Shania Twain, and Faith Hill; women were just ruling the charts! (Laughing) Thank god we had people like Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Reba McEntire. Those women knocked the doors down for us, so it has been a great ride! 

 

 

(CSC) 6. You are known for giving exceptional concerts with your high-energy stage presence. What do you do as a pre show warm-up?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

Twenty minutes before every show we do vocal warm-ups so that when you hit the stage it’s not like the first time we’ve seen each other, or the first time we’ve sung together in that day. We get everybody together and into the same head space so we hit the stage as a team.  

 

 

(CSC) 7. One thing that you enjoy doing besides singing is participating in marathons. What is it like to be a part of one and how do you prepare for them?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

I do a lot of running to prepare for the marathons. I haven’t run since the Chicago Marathon of 2007. Right now I’m starting to get back into it. It takes a lot of discipline to be involved. It is a great deal. There is a great mindset when you’re running; you don’t start off running as hard as you can in hopes to finish, because you’re running eighteen miles on some of these training runs. You have to keep your mind occupied!      

 

 

(CSC) 8. Out of all your albums that you’ve recorded do you have a particular favorite?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

You know I love them all for different reasons. I am very excited about “Unmistakable” coming out this summer because it has a bunch of new material, and I wrote a lot for it. 

 

 

(CSC) 9. What country artists inspired you growing up?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

I listened to a lot of country music growing up. Loretta Lynn was one of the first, and then Patsy Cline. I would dig out the old records, which weren’t current at that point, but it was the first music that I was exposed to. I love singer/songwriters. Dolly Parton has always been a favorite too. I lean that way. Dolly is a singer/songwriter, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn; they are all singer/songwriters. That seemed to be what I gravitated towards.

 

 

(CSC) 10. Last year you went on a USO tour all over Europe and also performed at “A Capitol Fourth,” what was it like for you to be a part of those historical events?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

I’m really proud to live in this country, and anything that I can do to give back to it such as doing the USO tour, supporting our troops, or playing the Capitol Fourth; I try to do my part. They were both amazing experiences for me to be a part of! I am very grateful for that.

 

 

(CSC) 11. What can fans look forward to next from you?

 

(Jo Dee Messina)

NEW music, a lot of touring, and they can just get out there and request the NEW single, “I’m Done.” You can download it on i-Tunes. So please make sure to call your local radio stations and request it!

 

 

 

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For the latest news and touring information on Jo Dee please visit her official website here; http://www.jodeemessina.com