Jessssssssss

Ok...finally decided to write something legit here. Here goes...I grew up in a little farming community, Shallowater, TX... daughter of an agriculture economist and high school admin./best-mom-in-the-world. My little brother Joel is, and always has been, twice the musician as me w/ three times the ear and natural ability. (damn him) Our family sang...a lot. In church, in the car, working around the house...an annoying amount to any outsider, I'm sure...and to us kids at times, too. Four-part harmonies, we learned shape notes as kids and always went to singing schools in the summers. I'm glad NOW, that's all I'll say. I took piano when I was young, but didn't pick up bass or guitar until I got into college. I attended the Commercial Music program @ South Plains College just down the road in Levelland, TX. There I learned enough guitar chords to bang rhythm in a jam and write hit songs, I picked up bass, starting on electric then soon realizing there was something much bigger and cooler about upright, and I was introduced to my soul mate...bluegrass. Hallelujah. My second year in college my Mom passed away suddenly. It left an indescribable hole in the life of a lot of people, not just me, whom she touched w/ her kindness, understanding and amazing goodness every day. This was definitely a huge stumbling block for me, but looking back I believe my life would have taken a totally different path if she were still around. It's crazy how things somehow work out...even in spite of tragedy and broken hearts. When I left SPC my thoughts were: "Well, that was fun. Now what? Time for a 'real' degree, I guess."... w/ no inkling that I'd ever use that music business in real life. Then my friend Taylor called one day w/ an offer to be the bass player in this little house band on a guest ranch in Western Colorado for the summer. We'd play 3 or 4 nights a week, have day jobs there as well, and get to pocket all the money we made since you live in bunk houses and meals are provided. Sounded good to me...I could use a summer in the mountains before I returned to 'real life'. That summer has now turned into over four years,four moves, two records, countless gigs, many looooong van rides, and way too many dirty jokes(told by them, not me of course!). Seems I haven't really seen 'real life' since. I'm still w/ the same band, Spring Creek, playing bass, writing songs and doing a lot of the singing. We've lived in Lyons, CO for just over two years now and been playing music full-time for about that long as well. It's a crazy, but a super fun life. I'm blessed. I have an amazing mando pickin' sweetie Jordan, and an awesome dog Lucy(who is currently staying w/ my Dad in TX due to lots of touring these days). Can't complain about much, but sometimes I miss the home folks... getting sweet tea at a restaurant, and not getting laughed or stared at for saying "y'all". SC was recently signed to one of the prominent bluegrass labels, Rebel Records and we're going back into the studio to record #3 in Dec. Yea! Good times are just beginning, I can feel it.