I was born and raised in Northern Michigan to a family that valued music. It was not uncommon to go to my grandparents' house and hear someone playing an instrument.
Not to mention, my mother and her sisters breaking out into song, regardless of where we were or whose company we were in. My father, one of my greatest influences, was a songwriter who played the guitar and sang. When my father passed away in April '91, he left me his guitar in his will, an Alvarez Regent (5212).
I grew up listening to a number of different genres of music. Primarily, classic rock and folk music. Some of the key musicians I grew up with were America, The Animals, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Jim Croce, The Eagles, Norman Greenbaum, Arlo Guthrie, Gordon Lightfoot, The Mamas and The Papas, Don McClean, The Moody Blues, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, and on and on...I am told I was named after the Seals and Crofts song, "Jessica".
I began writing after my father's death when my teacher took me to buy my very first journal. I took singing lessons and did a bit of theatre in my youth. In high school, I was in choir and our drama program. After I graduated, life got the better of me. I found myself too busy to write or focus on music. In November '07, I was finally inspired to pick up my old guitar (the very same my father played) and start writing again.
Thanks to the support of my family and friends, I have decided to stick with it.
Playing my guitar brings me the most joy and relief I've ever experienced. I have been playing now for just over a year and recorded my demo in November '08.
Thanks for listening and giving me the opportunity to share what I've been working on. I only hope that I can continue to grow as a vocalist, musician and songwriter.
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