Jessie James

Vocalist Jessie James debuted with the track “Wanted,” which gained exposure through its prominent placement in the film Confessions of a Shopaholic while occupying the stylistic space between Shania Twain’s twangy pop and Christina Aguilera’s R&B acrobatics. Born on a military base in Vicenza, Italy, she moved with her family to central Georgia in the 1990s. From there she began making regular journeys to Nashville, where she refined her songwriting alongside other aspiring artists. Those demo recordings eventually reached David Massey, president of the newly revived Mercury Records, who in turn brought her to the attention of Def Jam chairman L.A. Reid. She soon signed with Island/Def Jam, which paired her with songwriter Kara DioGuardi to develop material for her first album. Early in 2009 the single “Blue Jeans” showcased her assured take on country-pop, followed later that summer by the full-length release Jessie James. Although a second album titled Daughter of a Gypsy was later announced, it remained unreleased. The new single “When You Say My Name” surfaced in early 2012.