The Early YearsThe Early Years
Jewel Kilcher was born May 23, 1974. She grew up in Alaska. When she was 8 yrs old, her parents divorced. She and her brothers moved to Homer, with their father. They lived on a family homestead with no TV and no indoor plumbing. In 1987, she began singing with her father.
When she was 14, Jewel was adopted by an Ottowa Indian tribe. This has contributed to her spirituality and her outlook on life.
When she was 16, Jewel attended the Interlochen Fine Arts Academy in Michigan. She studied music, art, dance and theatre. After high school, she traveled around for a while, before moving to San Diego. She worked several jobs she hated, before deciding to move into her van and pursue music.
She met Steve Poltz, a San Diego musican, and they wrote several songs together, including You Were Meant For Me. A regular gig at the Innerchange Coffee House, led to a loyal following. Fans paid $3 for a 4 hr set. How I envy those early fans.
Word got out to the music industry, and record execs converged upon San Diego to see if this Jewel was truly a diamond. Limos began to show up at her van. After speaking with many executives, Jewel signed a deal with Atlantic. Pieces of You was released soon after.
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