Recently we got the chance to interview CMA artist, Jessie Chris. Jessie Chris is a very talented young singer songwriter from Massachusetts. At the age of 18 years old, she was one of the youngest performers at last year’s CMA Festival. She has also opened for acts including Luke Bryan, Chris Young, John Rich, and Billy Ray Cyrus. Jessie’s first album Wildfire which was recorded at the legendary Dark Horse Studios in Nashville is now available!
Check out our interview with Jessie Chris!
upfrontNY: How did you get your start in music?
Jessie Chris: When I was young I knew I wanted to grow up and do something in music. I was always dancing around the house. I was exposed to it at a young age and did a lot of theatre. I remember my brother got a guitar when I was 10 years old, I saw that and thought it was so cool. As I grew older it turned more into guitar, singing, and songwriting. It was something that was always in me and kind of grew as I grew.
upfrontNY: Who were your musical inspirations growing up?
Jessie Chris: Rascal Flatts was one of my first country bands that I was exposed to. I listened to their music and knew this is what I wanted to do.
upfrontNY: What has been one of your best performing experiences?
Jessie Chris: I think my favorite is when I got to sing with Billy Ray Cyrus. We got to sing “Achy Breaky Heart.” I grew up watching him on Hannah Montana and when I met him, I felt like I already knew him. He was so genuine; I loved getting the time to hang out with him. It was such a cool moment!
upfrontNY: Who else would you like to have the chance to sing with?
Jessie Chris: I would love to sing with Keith Urban. He is really amazing. I don’t understand how he can play that good, while singing that good, while his hair looks that good!
upfrontNY: What was your experience like recording Wildfire in Nashville?
Jessie Chris: It was so fun. It was my first trip to Nashville ever. My whole family got to go and it was fun to see the city for the first time, but also to be in the studio. It was such a whirlwind and stepping stone. Ever since I left the studio after recording Wildfire, I’ve been itching to get back!
upfrontNY: Can you tell me more about Wildfire and the inspiration behind it?
Jessie Chris: We started recording Wildfire when I was about 16. The whole album is the story of my life so far, my experiences and what I have gone through. All of the songs came from me coping from different life experiences. There are songs that are angry and hurt and those were helping me cope with those feelings, but there are songs that are happy, about friends and a good time and that is about the extreme happy times. I think Wildfire was the perfect title for the album. I see it as a metaphor. There’s so much passion in the album and the passion is like a wildfire. It’s out of control, huge, and unstoppable.
upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite song from the album?
Jessie Chris: It’s so hard to pick one. It changes every day. I had such an incredible experience with all of them but I think the one that was the most rewarding was “Chameleon” because it was the first song I had ever written when I was 14. When we were recording the album, my mom said, I don’t care if you don’t put this on the album but I want a good recording of the first song you ever wrote. It came out more amazing than I ever imagined. This needed to be on the album because this is where it started.
upfrontNY: What’s it like to go from writing your first song to now releasing your album?
Jessie Chris: It has been such a rewarding transition and experience. It is indescribable. To start by jotting down your feelings in a notebook and then all of a sudden it grows into a song and then it turns into playing it at shows and people relating to it. It is so cool. It has been so crazy and a new feeling, I am so excited about it.
upfrontNY: What is the best part of traveling for performing?
Jessie Chris: I love adventure and traveling. I love exploring and seeing new places.
upfrontNY: What is on the top of your touring bucket list?
Jessie Chris: My dream venue to play at would be Gillette Stadium because I grew up in Massachusetts and go to so many concerts at Gillette Stadium and that is where the dream sparked. Getting to play a concert there one day would be the most incredible thing ever.
upfrontNY: What is next for you?
Jessie Chris: I am going back to Nashville and recording a brand new single and I am so excited. I have been waiting ever since I left from recording Wildfire. We are going to be releasing it to radio. I am thrilled!
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