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Contact: Marilynn Fryer
(517) 796-8466
e-mail: FryerMarilynT@jccmi.edu
09/14/04
For immediate release

Jo Dee Messina to Play Potter Center

8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, Potter Center

Jackson Community College is pleased to announce that renowned country and crossover artist Jo Dee Messina will perform at the Potter Center, at 8 p.m. Saturday, November 20. 

"I'm thrilled to finally announce the addition of JoDee Messina to the Potter Center's 2004/2005 season.  JoDee balances out the season as an exceptional female crossover artist from both country and adult contemporary," said Cindy Allen, vice president for institutional advancement.  "It worked perfectly with JoDee's tour schedule, so the date remains as announced, Saturday, November 20."

Jo Dee Messina's music is well-known to country music lovers.  She has had eight number one singles, two crossover smashes, three albums, a holiday album, and now a greatest hits release.  She's been honored with the prestigious CMA Horizon Awards, ACM's Top New Female Vocalist, Boston Music Awards Artist of the Year, and too many nominations to count. 

Messina's debut self-titled album, released in 1996, launched the artist's career with hits like "Heads Carolina, Tails California," and "You're Not in Kansas Anymore."  Her sophomore release, "I'm Alright," released in 1998, earned double platinum certification with four chart-topping hits and two that reached the top 10.  The fiercely independent themes of "Bye, Bye" are intensified by the underlying heartbreak of "Lesson in Leavin'," and still Messina summons the hopefulness to insist on a true partner in "Stand Beside Me."  The hit "Because You Love Me" rejoices in the power of true love realized, while "That's the Way" flashes Messina's trademark frankness.  The album's title track is steeped in meanings, yet is simultaneously an elemental anthem about keeping a positive outlook whatever the circumstance. 

With the success of "I'm Alright," Messina didn't slow down.  She put two years into the creation of her third album, "Burn."  Garnering another platinum certification, three more number ones and two top 10 Adult Contemporary hits, the album also displayed the continuing maturation of Messina's art.  Title track "Burn," a plea for passion to anchor the pursuit of dreams, contributed to Messina's first-ever chart-topping album debut.  The song also crossed over to become an AC hit.  "Downtime" picked up where "I'm Alright" left off, leaning on a positive outlook while weathering life's storms.  "Bring on the Rain," the album's emotional centerpiece, became an unforeseen balm for radio listeners in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, both on country and AC charts. 

Now, Messina's career is encapsulated in a greatest hits package that includes the single "Was That My Life," Yet another extension of Messina's life-affirming attitude.  Also included are three other previously unreleased tracks.  Most importantly, however, Messina's "Greatest Hits" is a revealing look at the artist's ongoing musical legacy. 

Tickets for the Jo Dee Messina concert go on sale Sept. 27 and will cost $47, $50 and $55.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Potter Center Box Office at (517) 796-8600, or online at www.jccmi.edu/CulturalEvents/.