Don’t even think that just because Jo Dee Messina has two small sons that she’s taken time off from country music.
Since her “Unmistakable” trilogy was released in 2010, she’s kept busy touring, songwriting, scribing a blog about motherhood and more while juggling her family responsibilities. The difference between Messina and most working parents is that she’s turned her harried lifestyle into song.
“Right now I have a bunch of new material,” she said. “I’m usually really nervous adding new songs [to concert sets], but people are really latching onto ‘A Woman’s Rant,’ which is pretty hysterical. I wrote it when my husband would not get up and feed the baby.”
| Onstage |
| Jo Dee Messina |
| Where: Rams Head on Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis |
| When: 4:30 p.m. (all ages) and 7:30 p.m. (21+ only) Sunday |
| Info: $39.50; 410-268-4545; ramsheadonstage.com |
Turning the story of a peacefully snoozing spouse who doesn’t hear an infant’s cries into musical fodder is just one of the ways Messina, whose awards include a coveted Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Female Vocalist, stays connected with her fan base. Not that such hard work is anything new to Messina, who started her career doing everything from publicity to booking to performing and has never lost her “can do” attitude despite her critical and popular acclaim.
Even though the Platinum-selling artist is one with the A-list crowd, including country superstar Tim McGraw, who produced her first album, she seems as grounded as anyone’s next-door neighbor.
And like a former neighbor, she’s looking forward to rekindling some friendships in the area. Although she hasn’t performed in Annapolis since 2005, when she was touring behind her No. 1 single “My Give a Damn’s Busted” from her album “Delicious Surprise,” she well remembers that show and the fans.
“The last time we played Ram’s Head, it was [during] the album launch,” she said. “That is one of the best memories we have of the tour. The band and I are excited to get back there.”
