In fact, 19-year-old Jessica has come a long way in a short time. Since lauching her career with 1999's Heart Shaped World and achieving a mojor chart breakthrough with 2001's Who I Am, the big-voiced Tennessee native has emerged as one of the country music's brightest stars. In that space of time, she also won the Academy Of Country Music's Top New Female Vocalist award, scored her first #1 single, with "Who I Am," and shared stages with the likes of Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood.

The progress of Jessica's musical career has coincided with the universal challenges of young adulthood, and the insights she's gained from her recent experiences are reflected in Now's expanded emotional palette. Produced by veteran hitmaker and longtime Andrews supporter Byron Gallimore, Now finds the singer-songwriter venturing into mature lyrical territory while preserving the youthful energy and openhearted exuberance that first endeared her to fans.

"This album has a very different feeling for me," Jessica reiterates. "It's a lot more personal and there's a confidence that wasn't quite there on the first two. I feel especially connected to this group of songs because there's a substantial piece of me in each one of them."

Jessica co-wrote two of Now's standout numbers, the infectiously assertive first single, "There's More To Me Than You," and the playful, upbeat "Good Times." Elsewhere on the album, she traverses and emotional spectrum marked by depth and conviction. Tracks like the soul-searching "I Wish For You" and "Windows On A Train" and the ardent "I Bring It To You" and "You're The Man (That Brings The Woman Out Of Me) are balanced by songs like the liberating "Now" and "Sunshine And Love."

Andrews credits recent developments in her offstage life with influencing Now's more seasoned outlook. "I didn't want to repeat myself," she explains, "and I've had some big changes since I made my first two albums - I've taken the reins of everything in my like. I've moved out on my own, and I've met someone who's become my best friend and who has opened my eyes to a new life. It's only natural that when there are big changes in your life, you want to reflect that in your music."

The drive to express herself in song has been a constant in Jessica's life ever since she won a talent contest in her hometown of Huntingdon, Tennessee, at the age of 10, singing the Whitney Houston rendition of "I Will Always Love You."

By the time she was 12, word of her talent was already spreading throughout Nashville. Among those who heard the talk was Gallimore, whose production resume includes work with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Jo Dee Messina. After calling the young newcomer in for a meeting, Gallimore became and immediate convert. He signed on as producer of Jessica's debut album and introduced her to DreamWorks Records head James Stroud, which let to a deal with DreamWorks' Nashville division.

Heart Shaped World announced Jessica's arrival in fine style, spawning a radio hit in "I Will Be There For You" (which also appeared on The Prince Of Egypt - Nashville). After touring tirelessly to promote her debut disc, Jessica demonstrated greater versatility on follow-up Who I Am. The album debuted at #22 on the Billboard 200, was certified gold a month after its release, and yielded the heartfelt title track, which hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. These triumphs set the stage for the artistic evolution that is showcased on Now.

"I didn't want to make a record that was a big, drastic change," Jessica continues. "But I did have a very distinct vision of how I wanted to come across." Song choice was paramount in realizing that vision. "I said, 'Let's really take the time to find the right songs,' and everyone around me was very supportive of that," Jessica says. "They had to be just the right songs to represent me and what I wanted to say. I didn't care if I was out of the limelight for a year because I knew it would be worth it if I could come back with really powerful music with genuine depth to it. It was worth the extra work - I think I'm singing better than I ever have because I feel these songs so profoundly."

Jessica is equally serious about pursuing her own songwriting. She attributes her increased passion for this craft to the influence and support of her significant other. "He's a songwriter and he's really encouraged me in my own writing," she attests. "I had written songs before, but he's fully opened my eyes to songwriting as a vehicle to express what I'm experiencing at this moment in my life - and whatever might greet me down the road."

Indeed, Jessica is feeling as enthusiastic about the future as she is about Now. She reaffirms: "I feel like I'm just beginning and that this album is the start of a completely new world for me. There's a lot more I want to accomplish."

"Music is great therapy for the people making it and the people listening to it," Jessica concludes. "It's a healing force and that's something the world needs now more than ever. I believe I've got something to contribute, so I don't ever want to stop making music.

JESSICA ANDREWS HOME PAGE: www.jessicaandrews.com
DREAMWORKS NASHVILLE HOME PAGE: www.dreamworksnashville.com

THE ALBUM, NOW, IN JESSICA ANDREWS WORDS

"There's More To Me Than You" (Jessica Andrews, Marcel Chagnon, James T. Slater): I wrote this with Marcel Chagnon and James Slater. Marcel had this really cool melodic idea he's been toying around with and it became the basis for the song. It would have been very easy to write it as a self-pitying, male-bashing song, but I wanted it to be more uplifting. This was written literally at the last minute. We started writing it the day before the last recording session for the album, and we knew from the moment we started it that we were on to something very strong. We worked on it all day, until three in the morning, not knowing if we were going to have time to put it on the album. Still, I was determined that we were going to write it as best as we could. When we finished, it was undeniable. I think it was meant to be.

"When Gentry Plays Guitar" (James T. Slater): James Slater is a fantastic person, with so many different musical influences. In the 10 months during which I stepped out of the limelight to work on this album, I'd go to James' shows and I always loved hearing him play this song. One day we were hanging out around his piano and I said, "Play my favorite song!" he started playing it and I envisioned myself singing it. He originally wrote it about a girl, but I said, "Hey, can't I sing this song? Why can't Gentry be a guy?" So he changed a few lyrics to make it work. It's such a cool song and I really wanted it on the album. It reminds me a little of [Elton John's] "Tiny Dancer." I like the reference in the lyrics to Leon Russell's song "Pisces Apple Lady," so I went to Tower Records and bought a Leon Russell CD to get a little history and some perspective on what influenced James to write the song the way he did.

"I Wish For You" (Aimee Mayo, Troy Verges, Hillary Lindsay): This is a very important song to me and I feel so inspired when I sing it. It's aimed at people my age, or anyone who's getting ready to move on and take the next step in their life. The song has a whole new meaning for me now that I'm on my own. I know how scary it can be to go out and start your own life and I think "I Wish For You" kind of sums up those feelings of facing the unknown. You might have to experience some turmoil and hurt, but in the end you'll be stronger for it. That's what life's about - going through things and rising above them. There is so much negativity in the news, but there's still so much good and beauty in the world. I like the idea of doing a song that fives people hope and faith.

"To Love Your Once" (Julie Vassar, Jennifer Sherrill): This is a really fun song to sing. I tend to gravitate toward songs that capture that feeling of being in love and this is one of those songs. The chorus is very infectious and it has so much energy. I can't help but feel good about life whenever I sing it.

"I Bring It To You" (Bob Regan, Phil Barnhart, Kevin Paige): This is about finding that person who makes you feel complete and gives you the strength to handle anything. It's a real-life love song because it acknowledges the darker side of life. I like singing songs like this. The lyrics are so raw in a way. The chorus - "I bring you the scraps that make up my soul" - says to me: "I've been through a lot, but you are the one who makes me whole." To be able to put everything I have into a song like that, and hopefully inspire someone who's felt the same way, is so rewarding.

"They Are The Roses" (Randy Van Warmer, Tim Schoepf, Paul Jenkins): I love children and when I'm around them I become a kid again. When I heard this song it immediately made me thing of September 11 and how children react to what's going on in our world. Children are gifts. And they're so carefree and fragile - it's important to protect them. One day they'll be exposed to everything in the world, but wouldn't it be nice to preserve their innocence and trust forever? The title is a nice metaphor; children are beautiful and they need to be nurtured so one day they will blossom.

"Sunshine And Love" (Aimee Mayo, Troy Verges): This song's got a fun, uplifting melody and it brings out a great carefree feeling. It would be perfect to hear driving with your windows down on a beautiful summer day. It's the simple things that make all the difference in the world, like having people around you that you love and waking up on a great, beautiful day and realizing that you're alive and well. When things aren't going right, you can keep that perfect day in your head. The most importand things in life are usually the ones we take for granted. This song is perfect for recognizing the blessing we have around us.

"You're The Man (That Brings The Woman Out Of Me)" (Marcel Chagnon, James T. Slater): This is a song Marcel wrote with James Slater. I was on the road this summer for about three weeks and it was the first time Marcel and I had been away from each other for that long. The song was originally written from a guy's point of view. Marcel read the lyrics to me over the phone and I just started crying. It had so much personal meaning to me that I wanted it for myself. It's nice that he wrote a song about how he was feeling and I get to sing it knowing it expresses exactly what I was feeling, too. [Marcel Chagnon is Jessica's boyfriend.]

"Cowboy Guarantee" (Jim Collins, Rebecca Lynn Howard): I just love this song and the title. The girl in the song goes to a rodeo and falls in love with this guy who's a typical free-spirited cowboy. She's drawn into his world and his lifestyle and he breaks her heart because nothing's gonna hold him down. It's a very country song. It has such a haunting melody and lyrics that paint a vivid picture of how it is to experience a broken heart.

"Now" (Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, Marv Green): This is probably my favorite song on the album. It's a timeless love song and it has a gorgeous melody. It says: "The one I've been waiting for has finally come along. I've waited so long and he came from out of nowhere and he's in my life now." I also wanted this to be the title of the album because I want people to know this is the new me; this is me now.

"Second Sunday" (Billy mann, Julian Bunetta): This is a song about being with someone you love on the weekend and now wanting the week to start again. Everything's wonderful and you don't want to wake up and have it be Monday. It's a love song written in a unique way.
"Windows On A Train" (Aimee mayo, Chris Lindsey, Troy Verges, Hillary Lindsay): When I first heard this it was just heart-wrenching because it's clearly about losing someone you love. It's a beautifully written song, and the imagery in the lyrics really captures the sadness of losing someone special. It's so haunting that it made me want to cry; it literally hurts me to sing a song like this. I hope when people hear this they will share that emotion. That's what I love about songs like this - it's therapy when you're able to confront the thing that's making you hurt in order to rise above it and move on.

"God Don't Give Up On Us" (James T. Slater, Angela Kaset): We were finished with the album and ready to go into manufacturing, but I still took this song to [DreamWorks Nashville head] James Stroud and convinced him to let me cut it even though it was the last minute. It was important to me because it's a really powerful song. It was one of those things where your gut is telling you something and you have to listen. It's nothing like anything else on the record or anything I've ever recorded. I think it has the potential to touch so many people.

"Good Time" (Jessica Andrews, Bekka Bramlett, Annie Roboff): I wrote this with Annie Roboff and Bekka Bramlett, whom I co-wrote "Good Friend To Me" with for my last album. It's a "let's just let our hair down and have fun" song. It conveys where I am in my life. The feeling I've had is: "Okay, this is gonna be a fun journey. Let's see what we can discover along the way." The lyrics kind of leave the door open for the future. I closed my two previous albums with beautiful, sentimental ballads, and I wanted to end this one by rocking out with a fun song because that's how I'm feeling about life right now. I'm alive, I'm happy, and I'm having a great time making music.

"There's More To Me Than You (Ballad Version)" (hidden track): I think this version gives you a more in-depth look at the story in "There's More To Me Than You." It's a serious situation about someone deciding to get out of a long-term relationship. This version is done more slowly, which really brings the emotions out. When we wrote the song, we'd break it down and play it slowly so we could get into the lyric. We had every intention of it being an up-tempo song, but it was really cool when we slowed it down. We all loved it so much that we thought, "Gosh, let's do it this way, too."

Thanks For The Music
May 2003