Mar
2010
3
2010
From JessicaHarp.com….
My sweet friends.
If someone had told me a couple years ago that I’d be sitting here writing you this letter I would’ve laughed. But as I’ve been through so much personally and professionally those last couple of years, and the older I get, I realize more and more how quickly time flies. How short life really is. And most of all, that change is ok, and sometimes for the best.
I’m writing to you with news that I’m certain you’re not expecting, and will most likely be very surprised by. After reading through your responses to my last post, I had a good long cry being the sap I am, knowing how wonderful you are and that I would be having to share with you something so unexpected. My hope is that you will understand and support what I’m about to tell you, just as you have lovingly and tirelessly supported me for so long.
Last week I announced to those in my professional world a decision that I only recently made in certainty. It’s a decision that began as a ‘what if?’ out of preparation, then slowly turned into ‘what if?’ out of personal necessity. It’s a decision that was long thought about, long discussed with those closest to me, long soul searched and prayed about. It wasn’t easy…until it came to feel right in one’s search for fulfillment and happiness. Until I realized a change of heart.
It’s with the certainty of choice, but the heavy heart of a woman who will mourn the closing of a very long chapter in her life that I tell you…I have decided at this point to stop pursuing my career as a recording artist and focus on songwriting full time.
The decision wasn’t easy and less easy to tell you guys. You, who have stood by me through the ups, downs and in betweens. Some who have supported me since I was just an independent singer/songwriter trying to follow my dream. Many who followed me through a blessings of success in a duo with my friend. Now through the rollercoaster that has been the transition from duo to solo artist, waiting patiently for songs to be written, a record to be made, songs and videos to be released. And that all elusive record with many assured timeframes of release followed by many pushes back. But I’m happy to tell you that thanks to WMG I get to leave you with a parting gift – A Woman Needs is finally going to be available for digital download (at all digital retailers) on March 16th.
The people in this community are the reason that I’ve loved doing my job. The people who have encouraged me continually through battles as well as achievements. The people at my shows, singing every word at the top of your lungs. YOU are why this career has been fulfilling to me. So for that, I can only tell you again – THANK YOU. I’ve appreciated you more than you’ll ever know, and have come to care so much for you. And the only regret I have in this decision is letting you down. Because you’ve never let me down.
I love music so much and I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life. And moving forward as a songwriter, I will hopefully be able to share my music through the voices of artists who DO have their hearts in what they’re doing. Of course I’ll miss being the one on stage seeing those smiling faces and always will. But I have memories to last a lifetime, and I’m at a point where I feel anything’s possible. I don’t think I’ve stepped on my last stage. But I know the stage is better left for others at this time.
I also realized I’ve had other passions and intrigues, some for a long time, others more recent. And I’ll have the opportunity to explore those now as well. It’s a new chapter for me. It’s not the end of the book, it’s just a new chapter. And it feels so nice to feel inspiration again.
So all that’s left for me to do other than begin writing the next chapter is to somehow try to express to you guys what you’ve meant and will always mean to me. But I don’t think there are words that make that fully possible. I just want you to know that you’ve meant so much to me, not just as an artist but as a woman. And you always, always will. And I don’t think this is the last time we’ll be in touch. Actually I know it’s not, because I’ve created an e-mail address just for you. :) emailjessicaharp@gmail.com
Post any response you feel here, I’ll be sure to read it. But also feel free to e-mail me. I’ll check it, read and reply as my schedule allows. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a response, it just means don’t think you won’t if it takes me a little time. I’ve got a few irons in the fire now kitty cats. Oh, and I’ll still have my Twitter. And my YouTube Channel in case I decide to start a reality internet show from my living room or something. ;)
So now, with the support of my friends and family, my professional team and Warner Music Nashville…all I need is your blessing. And other than that, I only ask one other thing. My favorite thing about this group of people is seeing the bonds that have formed by people who may not have met otherwise. So after this site/board goes away (which won’t be immediately but I will let you know before it happens), promise me you’ll keep those bonds. And find another lucky artist to support, encourage and cherish the way you have me. And I tell ya, they’ll be damn lucky.
You are all beautiful souls and I love you. Thanks for being such a special part of my life. We’ll talk again.
Yours,
Jessica
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We did a “Twitter-View” with Jessica Harp last night! We chatted about her new single/video, her favorite tv shows, her new tattoos and MORE! Here’s a recap incase you missed it…
CMIL: Thanks for joining us this evening! Let us know when you’re ready to get started :)
Jessica Harp: Absolutely! I’m ready when you are!
CMIL: We asked your fans to send us some questions & we have a lot to choose from!
Jessica Harp: That’s awesome! Thanks to everyone who submitted questions! :)
CMIL: We just saw your brand new video today – love it! Did the tattoo that you got in honor of the video hurt more than your other tattoos?
Jessica Harp: Thank you! No, actually the 3 stars were small, quick and easy. I’ve had WAY more painful tatts!
CMIL: Your new single is called “A Woman Needs”… What do you think a woman REALLY needs in 5 words or less?
Jessica Harp: Confidence, Dreams, Laughter, Love….&….Shoes!
CMIL: LOL! Do you have a giant shoe collection?
Jessica Harp: Haha, I’m actually embarrassed by my shoe collection. But hey, I love em! :)
CMIL: Has the whole process of putting together a new album been a lot different as a solo artist compared to being part of a duo?
Jessica Harp: For sure! In a duo, everything is collaborative. Solo, the weight of making a great record is entirely on my shoulders!
CMIL: Fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of your solo album- how do you plan to celebrate the album release?
Jessica Harp: Good question! I’m so tired of waiting that when it’s finally out, there will be a BIG party! And maybe a beach vacation. :)
CMIL: Sounds like fun! Count us in! :)
Jessica Harp: Awesome! The more the merrier!
CMIL: You were quoted as saying “A Woman Needs” means more to you than any other song on the record… what makes it so special to you?
Jessica Harp: It was the first song written for the record, so it set the tone. I love the message – I relate to it…It was what I was feeling beginning my new journey after The Wreckers. We all need ‘a few second chances’ :)
CMIL: Absolutely! Now we’re going to ask a few more fan questions…
Jessica Harp: Perfect! Bring ‘em on!
CMIL: Amber wants to know what’s your current favorite song is, aside from “A Woman Needs,” of course ;) ?!?
Jessica Harp: Hey Amber! Hmm, let’s see. I’ve been on a Jason Aldean kick and “The Truth” is such a great song!
CMIL: Sara would like to know if you’re already planning on getting more tattoos… and if so, what will it be?
Jessica Harp: Yes Sara, I’ll definitely get more! I am planning a back piece that will tie in the ones already on my back..Much to my mother’s dismay, of course! :) Haha
CMIL: Adam asks…You’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of artists/celebrities, has meeting any one of them left you starstruck?
Jessica Harp: Reba, hands down. She was my idol when I was little! We were at the ACM Awards and she told me I looked beautiful! I think I stuttered some sort of response. I’m sure it wasn’t very eloquent!
CMIL: Aww, we love Reba!
Jessica Harp: I know, she’s so amazing!
CMIL: Leslie wants to know: What are your favorite tv shows?
Jessica Harp: That’s easy Leslie! The Office, Grey’s Anatomy & Private Practice. Thurs nights are TV nights for me.
CMIL: Yes! Those are the best! How about your favorite movies?
Jessica Harp: Oh gosh! That’s a tough one. I think THE THING CALLED LOVE and WAITRESS. But I’m a movie nut…those are just 2 of many!
CMIL: One last fan question….Are you a football fan?….Colts or Saints?
Jessica Harp: Gonna have to go Saints. I’m a Chiefs girl and the Colts are big rivals. But my hubby is from IN so we have a split house :)
CMIL: We don’t want to take up too much of your time, so thanks again for joining us tonight! We really enjoyed it!
Jessica Harp: Thanks to all the fans that submitted questions – they were good ones!! It was fun! Thanks for inviting me to do this! You guys are great. :)
CMIL: You have some great fans!
Jessica Harp: Yes I do!!
Harp’s debut solo album will be released soon. You can follow her on Twitter HERE. For more information on Harp, visit her official website.
Check out the video for her brand new single, “A Woman Needs”….
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It’s time for another contest!
To celebrate the release of her new single, “A Woman Needs,” we have TWO Jessica Harp prize packs to giveaway! Each prize pack includes an autographed poster and tee shirt.
To enter for your chance to win, simply leave a comment on this post with your name & email address. We’ll randomly choose two winners on Wednesday evening.
We also have a prize pack to giveaway on Twitter this week, so make sure you’re following us.
Good luck!
CONTEST CLOSED! Congrats to Sara and Amber!
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Jessica Harp, one-half of the GRAMMY nominated duo, The Wreckers, released the music video for her new single, “A Woman Needs,” this week. The single was released to radio last Tuesday, January 19th. Inspired by the video, Jessica got a tattoo of three stars as a reminder of the significance the song’s message had on her own life.
The music video, directed by Kristin Barlowe, chronicles the story of three girlfriends throughout their childhood, teenage and adult years. In each stage of their life, the girls carry a tradition of a star symbol on their hand – first with stickers, then a pen drawing and lastly as a tattoo imprint.
“I wanted to get the tattoo because this song means more to me than any other song on the record,” Jessica says. “Every time I look at this, I’ll think of that song, I’ll think of my first solo record that I’m really proud of and I’ll think of the message of ‘A Woman Needs,’ which is to follow your dreams.”
“A Woman Needs” making of the video webisodes are currently featured on AOL’s TheBoot.com. The webisodes run in correlation with a contest where fans can obtain a code at the end of each websiode to enter on the sweeps page. The sweeps page is located at www.jessicaharp.com/awomanneeds and the winner will win a weekend getaway to Nashville and a meeting with Harp. Fans have until February 1st to enter and a winner will be announced on February 4th.
The single, “A Woman Needs,” is the title-track off of Harp’s forthcoming solo debut album, A Woman Needs.
You can watch the video for “A Woman Needs” HERE.
Don’t forget, we’ll be chatting with Harp TONIGHT on Twitter. Click HERE for more info
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We’ll be conducting a “Twitter-View” with Jessica Harp tomorrow evening at 8:30 pm EST. If you have a question for Jessica, send it our way and she just might answer it! Email your questions to contactus@countrymusicislove.com w/ the subject line “Jessica Harp.” Be sure to follow along on Twitter: @cmilove & @JessicaHarp with the hashtag #CMIL.
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Jessica Harp released a new single to country radio yesterday called “A Woman Needs.” The song, which is about following your dreams and taking chances, is the title cut from her forthcoming album.
“A Woman Needs is a really special song,” Jessica says. “It’s about women coming into their own and following their dreams, following their paths, and sometimes taking the path unknown. I think the obvious answer with me, the dream that I’ve followed, is the dream that I’ve had since I was three years old – to grow up to be a country singer.”
The video for “A Woman Needs” will premiere this coming Monday on AOL’s The Boot.
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The Country Music Association announced this week that Gretchen Wilson is set to kick off the 2009 CMA Music Festival on Thursday, June 11th. Wilson will perform at the Riverfront Stages at 10am on the first day of the four day festival.
Here’s the current lineup for the Riverfront Stages:
Thursday, June 11
Hosted by CMT Radio Live’s Cody Alan (morning) and Cledus T. Judd (afternoon)
National Anthem performed by One Flew South
10:00 – 10:45 AM Gretchen Wilson
11:00 – 11:45 AM Phil Vassar
12:00 – 12:30 PM Chuck Wicks
12:45 – 1:15 PM Randy Rogers Band
1:30 – 2:00 PM Ashton Shepherd
2:15 – 2:45 PM James Otto
3:00 – 3:30 PM Bellamy Brothers
3:45 – 4:15 PM Heidi Newfield
4:30 – 5:00 PM Diamond Rio
5:15 – 5:45 PM Neal McCoy
Friday, June 12
Hosted by TBD (morning) and WSIX/Nashville’s Slam Duncan (afternoon)
10:00 – 10:45 AM Oak Ridge Boys
11:00 – 11:30 AM Bucky Covington
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM Aaron Tippin
12:30 – 1:00 PM John Anderson
1:15 – 1:45 PM Love and Theft
2:00 – 2:30 PM Honky Tonk Tailgate Party (Trent Willmon, Jeff Bates, Mark Wills)
2:45 – 3:00 PM Peter McWhirter (Telstra Winner from Australia)
3:15 – 3:45 PM Eric Church
4:00 – 4:30 PM Craig Morgan
4:45 – 5:15 PM Randy Houser
5:30 – 6:00 PM Clay Walker
Saturday, June 13
Hosted by Billy Dean (morning) and WKDF/Nashville’s Becca (afternoon)
10:00 – 10:45 AM Tracy Byrd
11:00 – 11:30 AM Jason Michael Carroll
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM Jo Dee Messina
12:30 – 1:00 PM Jamie O’Neal
1:15 – 1:45 PM Bill Anderson
2:00 – 2:30 PM Emerson Drive
2:45 – 3:15 PM Lorrie Morgan
3:30 – 4:00 PM Keith Anderson
4:15 – 4:45 PM The Lost Trailers
5:00 – 5:30 PM Chris Young
5:45 – 6:05 PM WKDF Battle of the Bands Winner
Sunday, June 14
Hosted by T. Graham Brown (morning) and WSM/Nashville’s Bill Cody (afternoon)
10:30 – 11:15 AM Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Gloriana
12:15 – 12:45 PM Josh Gracin
1:00 – 1:30 PM Joe Nichols
1:45 – 2:15 PM Jessica Harp
2:30 – 3:00 PM Eli Young Band
3:15 – 3:45 PM Darryl Worley
4:00 – 4:30 PM Joey + Rory
4:45 – 5:25 PM Collin Raye/Restless Heart
5:40 – 6:10 PM John Michael Montgomery
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The third annual Country Weekly Fashion Show will be hosted by Chuck Wicks, Jessica Harp, and GAC‘s Suzanne Alexander. The event is set to take place at noon on June 10th at the WIldhorse Saloon in Downtown Nashville. The show, which is sponsored by Durango and Lifetime, benefits Musicians on Call.
Click HERE for ticket information.
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