I'm Alright
Worth the Wait
By Jolene LaVeaux - Jolene's Kitchen
Fans, say hello to Jo Dee Messina! She's back in full swing, as she scores a #1 with "Bye Bye." This is the first single released from her new album, I'm Alright. Jo Dee said it just proves that Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore, her producers, were right. When they told her take some time off to find 10 songs that she really believed in for a new album, she just never dreamed it would take 18 months! She thought the fans and radio stations would be saying "Bye Bye" to her, but the wait has been well worth it.
Even during the absence, "Heads Carolina, Tails California" was still getting played four to six times a week, and she is grateful to radio for that. "They don't have to play my records, but I'm sure glad they do," says Messina, who credits the DJ's, Program Directors and fans for keeping her alive between albums. She views radio airplay as a privilege, not a right.
The release of this album is just the beginning, and Messina has her work cut out for her to promote it. Currently on tour you'll soon see her on Entertainment Tonight, E! News Daily, and Access Hollywood.
With so many new acts trying to break out, the competition is fierce. Since Jo Dee keeps in shape while out on the road by running, and kick boxing, I think she can take them on. This also probably helps to explain how she keeps up a high energy pace in her concerts.
As for dating, she is in no hurry to jump back into the game. "I got burnt pretty bad. During the making of this album I dated, umm... I believe it was the son of the devil, and I say that jokingly, but not! And it's been a while since I've really been able to trust somebody. With me, every minute of every day is dedicated to a show, or an interview, working out, and being with the fans, so there's not a whole lot of time for it." So all you guys with amorous ideas better back off. However, she does admit that being into exercise the way she is, the first thing she notices in a guy is his physique.
The best lesson she ever learned was from Charlie Daniels when he told her, "It's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how many times you get back up." Just don't ask her to get up early.
Jo Dee is definitely a night owl, and the one creature comfort from home she misses the most when on the bus, is her own bed; not to mention her four dogs and one cat! With six band members, the road manager and herself all on one bus, there's just no room for the pets, so she relies on Mom to babysit. Now that's a great Mom!
When I asked her what her favourite food was, with no hesitation, she said, "Ice cream."
When asked for a recipe, she said, "I've been on the road so long, I can't remember how to boil an egg."
They probably had trouble holding her in one place long enough to teach her how to cook. By the time she was 16, she had already put together a band and handled her own publicity, marketing, and booking. After all this work, the band would play for free, just to build a following. When she moved to Nashville, she survived by entering numerous talent contests, and thankfully won them.
Her definition of success is, "Being able to do what you love, and getting paid for it." She loves singing for her fans, and the fans love her.
Fan Fair is June 15th to 20th at the Nashville Fairgrounds. This is an event where the stars show their appreciation for their fan's support, and Jo Dee is very excited! This will be the first year she will have her own booth and says, "It won't be anything fancy, but I'll be there to sign autographs and talk to the fans." She'll also be performing at the Curb Records show, and the International Fan Club Organization show, playing ball at the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game, and modelling in a charity fashion show.
Canadian fans can see Jo Dee at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival in Merritt, B.C. and the Kinsmen Big Valley Jamboree in Craven, SK in July.
