Jo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Messina was born Aug. 25, 1970, in Holliston, Mass. At 16, she put together a band, handling publicity, marketing, booking, song selection and set lists. She even ran the soundboard from the stage. When she moved to Nashville, she brought that work ethic with her, surviving by entering—and winning—talent contests around town. She also found a home on a regional radio show where producer Byron Gallimore heard her. With Gallimore guiding her, Messina made inroads in the Nashville music community.
Soon, she had a record deal with RCA but was dropped due to a change in management. Disappointed and frustrated, she found comfort in watching her friend Tim McGraw become a superstar. As McGraw’s guest backstage during Curb’s Fan Fair show, Messina approached a label executive and jokingly said, “I was thinking … y’all need a redhead on this label.” Her boldness caught his attention, and the label did sign her.
Co-produced by McGraw and Gallimore, her first album quickly charted two Top 10 hits, but a number of poor business decisions nearly sank her career, placing her on the edge of bankruptcy. However, she hung on long enough to release the enthusiastic album I’m Alright in 1998. With four huge radio hits, the album was certified double platinum and she won the CMA’s Horizon Award in 1999.
The follow-up album, Burn, was certified platinum, and her self-titled debut was eventually certified gold. She also scored an adult contemporary hit with “Bring on the Rain,” with McGraw on harmonies. In addition to headlining concerts, she also toured with Vince Gill, George Strait and the Judds’ reunion tour. Her fame also led to television roles on Touched by an Angel and Nash Bridges. She released a Greatest Hits album in 2003.
After a few years away, Messina rebounded with the sassy No. 1 hit single, “My Give a Damn’s Busted,” on her 2005 album, Delicious Surprise.
