JamisonPriest perspective
The most amazing thing about being a musician is getting to share new thoughts with others. It's in the sharing that music is actually made. We experience that every time we play and every time we are privileged to hear someone else.
JamisonPriest info
JamisonPriest’s two main goals are to preserve the foundation of the folk movement with unique renditions of traditional music, and to add to that foundation with their own well-crafted songs. As a married couple, Ed and Jenni have a special bond that is projected in their music. And having Cole, one of their best friends on bass, just adds to the artistry. In the nine years since their debut performance, JamisonPriest has charmed and impressed audiences with their story songs and intricate harmonies, and has developed a dedicated grassroots following. Music lovers of all ages enjoy their songs. They are poet-singers with a refreshing sound for listening audiences. "With soft, mellow, acoustic guitar and insightful songwriting, blended with rich and sometimes unexpected harmonies, JamisonPriest is well on its way to securing a place for itself in the Americana folk tradition." Katie Noah, Boheme Verite
JamisonPriest is a contemporary folk band based in Abilene, Texas, and is perfect for festivals, coffeehouses, pubs, and any audience that desires great lyrics and a roots approach to music. JamisonPriest performs as a DUO with two acoustic guitars, violin, harmonica, and two voices; or as a TRIO with two acoustic guitars, bass, violin, harmonica, and three voices. All three members are singers and songwriters. The band has toured around Texas, and has performed in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona.
JamisonPriest released its third CD in 2006. Dreams I’ll Never Know is a contemplative folk album and an exploration of life themes; love, disappointment, loneliness, and searching. Inspiration was taken from personal experience and from historical events in Texas and the U.S. including the tragic life of Cynthia Ann Parker; the 1937 school explosion in New London, Texas; and a life changed by the attack on Pearl Harbor. It contains ten songs written by members of the band, one by fellow roots musician Greg Young, a folk-rock rendition of a song by John Fogerty, and a remake of a song originally recorded by The Kingston Trio. The title, Dreams I'll Never Know, comes from a line in the chorus of "Two-Lane Road" and aptly describes the mood of the album and the journey the listener takes. "On my radio show I won't play just anything that I can get my grubby little hands on. It has to have quality in both the production and the musicianship of what's being heard. Dreams I'll Never Know shows the maturity of the trio's musicianship and song-writing ability...The inspiration of many of the songs reveals a more sincere love for the folk music genre than heard in other places...That is what captivated me on this album." D. Grant Smith, The Appetizer on KACU and The Creative Pulse
The band’s second CD, We Called Ourselves Poets includes ten songs written by members of the band, two by fellow Abilene musicians, and four covers. The CD was featured on the My Texas Music website and played on local radio in Abilene. My Texas Music selected “Ten Degrees and Getting Colder†for inclusion in their 2005 Radio Ready, Vol.2 compilation CD. "Lyrically, the songs touch on simple but powerful topics like love, spirituality and sharing a road trip adventure. Musically, the group's songs borrow from rock, country, blues, hymns - whatever seems appropriate." Brien Murphy, Abilene Reporter News. JamisonPriest’s debut CD Leave Your Blues was released in 2001.
In addition to three independently released CDs, JamisonPriest has contributed to many other projects. JamisonPriest was a contributing artist (recording ‘The Jewel of Abilene’) on the CD included with the book The Women There Don't Treat You Mean: Abilene in Song written by Joe W. Specht. Released in 2006, the book gives a behind the scenes look at all the songs written about Abilene. JamisonPriest recorded the jingle for igospelradio.com, and added harmonies on CDs released by three other Texas artists; Greg Young, Nick Fessler, and the Hogg Maulies.
JamisonPriest was nominated for 2007 Best Local Artist by The Appetizer on KACU. Jenni was named 2004 Favorite Female Vocalist by the Abilene Reporter News. JamisonPriest was one of ten regional acts selected in the 2002 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition.
See JamisonPriest website for complete BIO and CALENDAR .
