Jessie G
Interview conducted on June 7, 2021
By Dan Locke
Singer-songwriter, Jessie G, just released the music video for her latest single “Timeless” with premieres by Country Rebel and The Country Network. The song was written to honor her wedding day and the video adds another emotional layer to the song with real footage from her destination wedding in Destin, Fla.
You are from Brooking, OR, what is your upbringing?
My upbringing was a lot of fishing, sports, and music! I’m from a little coastal town and my family started commercial fishing in 1950
As I understand, you went from Jazz to rock to Country. How did you discover music?
I actually started singing country music first when I was little. In middle school, I had an amazing jazz choir teacher who encouraged me to compete in nationwide competitions. I kept winning so I kept singing jazz! Then I wanted to be in a rock band at the end of middle school so I asked some buddies and they agreed! After that, I sang a lot of Van Halen and Aerosmith until I got to college!
How did you start to write music?
My first song I ever remember writing was at like age 7. My friend and I would write songs and then get on the microphone (the one that calls out order numbers) at the local pizza restaurant they owned and try them out on the customers! I started getting serious about writing and recording my own music in high school with my band.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I got my first guitar from my dad! It’s a baby Taylor! I love that thing and will keep it forever.
What is your guitar of choice now?
My Favorite female guitarist is Lzzy Hale from Halestorm so I’m in love with her signature Gibson Explorer!
Describe your music.
A Little Rock n roll, a little country, with a fusion of all my influences in jazz, blues and pop!
What was your first performance at like?
The first time I performed in front of my peers was at a middle school talent show. Not very many of my classmates knew I could sing. I dressed up in a cowgirl hat/clothes and sang “Let Er Rip” by the Dixie Chicks! My classmates freaked out and I won 1st place. After that everyone knew me as the singer of the school!
You were discovered by Gretchen Wilson on a talent search. Tell me how she discovered you?
I heard from some buddies at the local radio station 98.7 The Bull in Portland, OR that Gretchen Wilson was going to be touring through town and the winner of the Battle of the Bands would open for her. She was one of my heroes growing up so I really wanted to meet her! So, I got my band together and we put all our eggs in that basket. We won and opened for her later that month. I got up the courage to go try and meet her after the show and we ended up hanging out until like 2 or 3 am that morning! She told me that night if I wanted to do music for real then I had to move to Nashville. She gave me her contact information and I moved to Nashville and started writing with her 3 months later!
What makes a good songwriter?
3 chords and the truth! People listen to music to relate and feel something. We are all humans and go through the same life experiences. So, telling stories in our songs to help people feel like they are not alone and finding a way to say it that has never been done before is what makes a great songwriter!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Haha! It was called “Way Too Early” and that was when I was very little so I did not record it!
What is the process of writing your music?
My process is always different! Sometimes it’s an idea for a hook in a song. Sometimes it’s a cool guitar riff I’m thinking of. Other times it’s a rhythm or a melody that gets stuck in my head! Then I just make sure I get it recorded or written down and find a time to make it a finished masterpiece!
Your debut single “Army Ranger” was your first song to get radio play. How was it the first time you heard it on the radio?
It was such an amazing feeling. I was driving through Oklahoma with one of my friends and I heard it randomly on the station we were listening to. I can’t even describe the excitement!
Tell me about your new single “Timeless” and how you wrote it?
I went over to Bridgette Tatum’s house one afternoon and we got caught up talking about love and Jesus. I told her I knew I was going to marry my boyfriend at the time, Matt and I wanted to write a song for our wedding one day. The song flew out and it felt like it wrote itself. We were writing on her front porch; the sun was shining and her horses were running around in front of us. It was such a magical day. A “Timeless” memory for sure!
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I think it’s awesome that we have an opportunity to get our music to the entire world with streaming. As an independent artist that wasn’t as easy before. I know as an artist we lose money with streaming but it’s made artists like me focus on touring more to bring my fans a live show!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl for a favorite record. There is nothing quite like putting the needle on vinyl. It’s romantic and nostalgic.
You had opened for the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Kid Rock and Charlie Daniels. Has anyone given any words of wisdom?
I have been so blessed to be just a fly on the wall for these legends and learn from watching them. One thing I will always remember is when Kid Rock said something pretty cool one night after we played his fish fry in Nashville “Elvis never played more than 45 minutes. What does that tell you?” Sometimes less is more!
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I was just thinking about Elvis because of the last question and “Teddy Bear” popped into my head. My daddy always sang that song to me when I was a little girl. I loved it when he would sing. I still do!
How was it to have People Magazine to cover your wedding?
Bucket list moment! I feel very blessed that they thought our big day was special enough to cover!
What is your happy place?
Anywhere in view of the ocean. The beach or even better ON the water. I grew up on boats my whole life so that’s my happy place.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you UnRated for doing this article! You guys are so awesome for believing in my music and my story. Thank you!!! And thank you to everyone who continues to support me in this wild ride. It’s really been a tough year and a half and I’ve been so blessed to have been surrounded by such beautiful souls in this life!
