Jessica Rae: Courtesy of Jessica Rae

 

During my trip to the Key West Songwriter Festival, I met one of the greatest singers from the Midwest who lives in Tennessee. When I first heard her, I wrote about a musical angel from the Midwest whose rendition of «Christmas In Nashville» was out of this world.

Jessica Rae [during her concert at the Key West Songwriter Festival at the Hotel La Concha and the Stories With String concert at the Hard Rock Cafe] is indeed a Midwestern Angel during her live performances.

I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Jessica Rae during an intermission from her Stories With Strings concert at the Hard Rock Cafe in Key West. The conclusion from the concert and the interview can be summed up with the following comment: Jessica Rae is 21st Century American Music and is one of the true representatives of the USA.

 

1. The song «I Could Get Used To This” and the video have become one of the greatest hits of 2011. The video has been featured in The Country Network.
1a. What is the reason behind the success of the song?
 
I think girls are still wanting to be protected, even though our culture demands isolating levels of tough self-reliance from women. I know myself that I appreciate the friend in ‘boyfriend’, a comrade I can depend on in battles, a confidant when I need a shoulder to lean on, and a buddy I can share stories and laughs with, at any time of the day or night. The line I have in the song about getting «chills on my skin» is what most girls want, and I think guys who are brave enough to be tender, vulnerable themselves, and honest is the ‘nice’ that is easy for girls to get used to. 
 
 
 
 1b. What was you reaction when you were notified that «I Could Get Used To This» would be featured in The Country Network?
 
I was ecstatic! To have my music in 30 million homes and 42 markets is a dream. After hearing the great news, Bill Hutcherson of TCN was gracious enough to share a drink and help me celebrate the honor, and then we brainstormed other marketing ideas. I’ll let you know as soon as anything transpires. The Country Network has proven itself to be a fantastic way for audiences to get introduced to new music, also providing an invaluable platform for independent acts. TCN offers inestimable exposure for artists, and I’m honored they invited me to continue to be a part of it.
  

 

2. How did the Stories With Strings tour originate?

 

I was on tour throughout October 2010, performing in Indianapolis, Chicago and Michigan and received such a great response and enjoyed myself so much that I made a promise to expand the territory with every tour. Having my fans suggest that I sing more often without a full band, to get more of my voice and stories out there, I took their advice for this tour, «Stories With Strings». It’s an acoustic tour, more of an up close and personal, just me and my guitar, way for me to really connect with my fans. Since this tour allows for a more intimate expression of my stories, I think I’m gaining a lot of new fans who like to pay attention to lyrics and react wholeheartedly with the messages I bring to them.  There’s an energy, an unreserved enthusiasm, I’m getting after each set that an artist doesn’t get when performing at a band’s distance away from an audience. All in all, it’s been a fantastic adventure so far, and I’m loving all the new friends I’ve made along the way.

 
3. Florida has been chosen as the first stop for the Stories With Strings Tour. What is your impression of Florida? What has been the reaction of the people who see you on tour?
What can I say? Florida’s always a blast. I have to say, though, I was tempted to go pet baby alligators when I got myself lost in the Everglades on the way to a gig. That uh oh feeling kicked in, luckily, and I decided to safeguard my strumming hand and keep it close to me.  Seriously, I just love driving through the southern states, there’s a friendliness to people  that is authentic and just plain sociable. During my sets, I see all the smiles and get good feelings that these are true fans; they welcome me with open hearts, they really enjoy my stories, my songs, and we surely have a great time together.  Did I say surely? This Yankee girl is getting herself a southern accent already.  I can’t wait to come back this fall. 

 

4. What has set the Stories With Strings tour apart from tours done by other artists and musical groups?
I’d like to think that my tour «Stories With Strings» is worth sharing with new friends because I’ve written many new songs that I’ve selected specifically for an acoustic accompaniment, that are heartfelt stories that I hope will change a listener’s perspective within his or her own life, maybe to hug more, love more, share more.  I’m hopeful that listening to these songs will make for a thoughtful change in someone’s life. I’m getting a lot of people coming up to me after the gigs, enthused about some story making a true connection with them, they give me a hug, and this makes me happy.

 

5. What other states do you plan to take Stories With Strings?
 

Presently, I’m visiting North Carolina, what a beautiful place!  I’ve been invited to perform at a private home and always enjoy myself when new friends invite me in to sing for their guests.  Home parties are really a great way to share stories other than the stories I’m presently singing. I usually find some inspiration for other songwriting, by talking with such genuine people in their own living rooms. I’m looking forward to traveling to Wisconsin, these people know how to party, I love them!, Chicago, my home town and is always a welcome home party, Michigan, where I went to MSU yea team!, Indianapolis again, where the fans are just spectacular, and Ohio, a place I treasure for its never ending graciousness toward artists.  For more information and details about my tour, please visit www.jessicaraemusic.com/tour

Jessica: It was a pleasure and an honor to have met you in Key West. Thank you for the interview as well as the kind words about Florida and Ohio. I hope to one day see you again in concert. In the meantime, I wish ou the best in the Stories With Strings Concert and your singing career.