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Artist Jo Dee Messina is country music radio's girl next doorBy Jennifer M. Latzke The stands were rocking, despite the 100-degree heat. The crowd at the Dodge City Days kickoff concert July 25 was having too much fun to let a little heat get in their way. Country music recording artist Jo Dee Messina opened Dodge City Days with the Q97 Boots, Beer and Bikinis Beach Party concert. And, before her show, we had a chance to talk to the singer-songwriter over the phone as she traveled on the road. Messina's latest project is the tour, with dates taking her across the Midwest this summer. She's also introduced a new single from her album "Unmistakable," titled "I'm Done." "Touring is great," Messina said. "I'm out with the same guys I've had with me for a few years now and they're a great bunch. We have a blast on stage and we just love hanging out with each other. I finished the album a while back and we have a new single out now. We're waiting for that to get up in the charts before we release the album in the fall." While the album doesn't have a specific "message," it offers something for everyone, depending on their stage in life, she added. "I would just hope that they would be entertained and find strength in the music like I do," Messina said. One of her more popular songs among the rural crowd has been "Heaven Was Needing a Hero," which Messina wrote to honor military veterans and their families. While the song isn't available on a CD album, yet, it is available for download at iTunes. Messina, who rose to fame in the 1990s with hits such as "I'm Alright," "Burn," and "You're not in Kansas Anymore," truly enjoys the road life of touring. "The best part of being on tour would be the shows, and the guys I work with and how everyone gets along great like a big family," she said. And, while she has many songs that audiences know by heart, she said she doesn't have any particular favorites. "There isn't just one, it depends on the day," she said. "It could be 'Bring on the Rain,' or 'Stand Beside Me,' depending on the crowd." Messina writes many of her own songs, and she said the process is not routine. She added that the difference between a great song and a good song isn't really known until she gets it out on paper. "It all depends on what it comes out at in the end," she said. "I've written lots of not-so-great songs. But, you just write down your thoughts until you get it right. You never can tell." In her everyday life, she draws inspiration and motivation from a variety of fellow artists, from John Mayer to Sara Evans, and Hank Williams. With her signature red hair and her candid, take chances attitude, Messina is a role model for young women under pressure from the media to be something they're not. She advised young girls with dreams to work hard and never lose sight of their goals. "I always tell people, don't be so afraid of losing your dream that you sell out to get it," Messina said. "You can get so caught up in jumping through the hoops and having people tell you to stand on one leg or stick a chicken feather to your forehead. But then you look back and ask, who is that? You don't have to sell out. I'm not saying don't chase your dreams, but that you can achieve them by being true to yourself." It's a message that she carries through her music at every show. No matter what the thermometer reads. Jennifer M. Latzke can be reached by phone at 620-227-1807, or by e-mail at jlatzke@hpj.com.
Date: 7/31/08 Advertisement
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