Jo Dee Messina

Amazing! She is my favorite of all time. Huge fan since the 90’s!! We upgraded to fast passes the night of and it was 💯 worth it. Ended up in 3rd row from center stage. Got amazing pics and videos. Not flashy. Just pure talent that we all can relate to. Would love to see her again!!

Jo Dee Messina: 10/19/23 “My quest to see every 90’s country music artist still on the road at least one time brought me to The Foundry At Judson Mill for a Thursday evening show. It was my first time at the 1,000 person capacity venue and my first time ever seeing the CMA/ACM Grammy nominated Grand Ole Opry member from Framingham Massachusetts LIVE. It was the 42nd date of her 48 city ‘Heads Carolina Tails California 2023 Tour’ which began in February and runs till November. In September 2017 the singer/songwriter revealed she had been diagnosed with an unspecified cancer and all tour dates were postponed as she underwent treatments, she successfully recovered from the cancer diagnosis and resumed touring in 2022. With 6 studio albums and 22 singles including a half dozen number ones we were guaranteed an evening of song, nostalgia, and reminiscing. Arriving at the venue in a timely manner, my wife and I waited outside for an hour until the doors opened and were rewarded accordingly with a front row position up against the stage. The evening began with The Dryes a husband and wife vocal duo who appeared on Season 22 of NBC’s The Voice. The couple from North Carolina (married 12 years) brought along two additional band members and played a solid 30 minute / 8 song set featuring a mix of covers and originals from their most recent EP. The artist/audience interaction was playbook perfect and stirred the weeknight full house to life. Katelyn addressed the audience, ‘Man, y’all are a vibe, literally we were backstage and we were like “This crowd is rowdy”, and we are here for it.’ ‘Are there any sassy Southern women here tonight? [cheers] I could feel that in that last song!’ A fact well worth mentioning is that Derek plays all his own guitar work and does a fine job of it. Covers included ‘Boondocks’, ‘9 To 5’, and their audition song for the television program, ‘Islands In The Stream’. Originals included ‘Sawdust’, a song about all the bars they’ve played from two in attendance to a thousand, and the redneck/sacred ‘Raisin Beers & Hallelujahs’. At 9:30 p.m. the lights dimmed as the audience chanted ‘Jo Dee, Joo Deee, JOOO DEEEE!’ and headliner Jo Dee Marie Messina 53 took the stage for a 1 hour and 30 minute / 19 song set beginning with her 2005 number one ‘My Give A Damn’s Busted’. Bringing an accomplished six person band which included a female background singer/tambourine player she moved right into her version of the cover of Jennifer Warnes cover ‘I Know A Heartache When I See One’, a #10 single back in 1998. Addressing the audience, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen “Hi”, y’all got to be hot in here, you’re all squished in.’ She made it clear to us that she had been struggling with a cold. Earlier in the day she had run the ’Swamp Rabbit Trail’ to try and ‘cough the cold out, and so that didn’t work’. ‘If you know the songs, you gotta help me sing em!’ After her number one from 2000 ‘That’s The Way’ Jo Dee paused to read some of the signs audience members held up way in the back, she waited to address each one as they were passed all the way up to the stage. During the middle of her 1998 #1 ‘Im Alright’ written by Phil Vassar she borrowed her sound engineer’s cell phone as she had left her’s behind in the bus and asked if he had Phil’s new phone number in his contacts. Dialing out and getting Phil’s voice mail she led the audience in a round of the chorus leaving it for him recorded on his voice mail. ‘This is Jo Dee Messina we have a message for Phil, if you could pass it along that would be great’. Jo Dee shared some highlights of her faith journey prior to a cover of Zach William’s ‘Freedom’. ‘My world was rocked the day that Jesus walked into my world. I thought I had my act together, I thought that I knew what I was doing… the reality is for me I started to realize that to have my world together is to build around Christ.’ Next up, her band was featured with a penetrating cover of Boston’s instrumental ‘Foreplay’ leading into Kansas’ ‘Carry On Wayward Son.’ She didn’t call out the individual members by name which would have been nice considering each of them more than likely had a professional background based on their talent level. ‘Tell The Truth’ from her unnamed as yet forthcoming new album was next and her bass player, drummer and guitarist took a welcome break off stage. The song’s theme ponders the choice of whether it’s best to answer with the truth or with what you think the answer should be. Coughing between verse and chorus Jo Dee confessed ‘my voice is going little by little’ the audience took no mind as the vocal performance continued strong. A four song set of some of her biggest hits, all number ones or two’s, followed with ‘Heads Carolina Tails California’ (featuring Jo Dee on electric guitar), ‘Bring On The Rain’, ‘Stand Beside Me’ and ‘A Lesson In Leavin’. Next she sat down in front of a small keyboard center stage for a cover of Anne Wilson’s ‘My Jesus’. Hands were raised throughout the room and it wasn’t only for the purpose of holding up cell phones for videos. The final song of the regular set was 1998’s #1 ‘Bye Bye’ after which she left the stage. With another round of audience chants ‘Jo Dee, Joo Deee, JOOO DEEEE’ she returned for an encore of Journey’s ‘Don't Stop Believin' again showcasing the band’s diversity and talent. ‘You might know this one, if you know it sing it really loud so that I don’t have to.’ Even Security up against the stage unfolded their authoritative arms to move along to the number one downloaded song of all time. Notably missing from the set was 1996’s #7 You’re Not In Kansas Anymore’. From moving to Nashville at age 19 and working various temporary jobs, including computer programming and accounting just to make ends meet to where she is today —a woman full of gratitude, Jo Dee has established herself a integral voice of 90’s Country music and beyond!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #833)

24 minutes was definitely not long enough for Jo Dee Messina!! She was amazing as she always is! I'm so excited for her new music that will be coming out and loved the new song she sang at CMAFest. She definitely gave her all last night even though she was only apparently allotted 18 minutes and extra minutes when Carly Pearce brought her back out to duet w/Carly! There definitely needs to be more stars for rating Jo Dee.

One of the best concerts I have ever been too!! Seeing Jo Dee Messina live in concert has been a dream of mine since I was a child and heard Bye Bye on the radio for the first time!! Finally at 31 I got to make that dream come true!! She is so beautiful and talented and the way you can literally feel the love she has for her Fans when she talks to them!! Dream come true!! Can’t wait to see her in concert in the future because I would definitely pay again to see her live and if I can afford it to meet her!!

Absolutely an amazing concert Jodee Messina made my niece feel special she spoke to her talk to her about telling the truth told her she was her little friend and my little one is excited to get to see her again in my opinion Jodee Messina is one of the best singers there is she's a good performer great music it was one of the best concerts my little niece try to catch a guitar pick and couldn't get it

AWESOME show❣️ And it sold out, so lucky I got to go. Had my ticket to The PIT so was standing right in front of the stage, about the 4th person back from the barricade. Best way to party with her! We were all singing along & think we stunned Jo Dee many times through the night as she would stop, hold the microphone up & we didn’t miss a beat, singing at the top of our ability. It was sheer joy just being present & watching her & the fantastic band with her. Every second, every single moment is forever in my memories & heart. Jo Dee please come back to the Roanoke Valley soon. Stay awhile & visit the most beautiful area around. Southwest Virginia loves you❣️

It was an awesome concert. Jo Dee really gave it her all and we all loved it. I loved all the songs and wish she would have done "Heaven was needing a Hero". I saw her preform that 15 years ago in Naples Italy when she was on a USO tour.

My dad and I flew from MN to TX for one night to see Jodee live. We have bonded over her music ever since I was a little girl. It was the perfect event and concert. She sounded just like she does on the radio. I wish we could relive this night again!

Jo Dee will FOREVER be one of my favorite artists. Her songs are amazing, but more than that her worship and praise for God is so inspiring. I hope I see her again soon. She seems like such a humble and honest person. I would love to meet her someday because she has touched my heart ❤️

OMG what a great show! It was a great time! I was in the front row with Jo Dee right in front of me! It was a crazy experience! The music selection had some good picks! Had me singing all night long! Wish I could have met Jo Dee in person afterward but it was great to hear her music live and to hear some stories about her! Thanks, Jo Dee Messina for coming to the Marshall County Fair! Until the next concert...

Great concert!!!! And the price was right. Free Can’t wait to do it again. If you haven’t seen Jo Dee before You’re missing a great artist. I’ve seen her at least 5 times and the concerts have all been grand

Amazing show!! This was my 5th show of hers in the last 7 months! I’m not sure how, but each show tops the last! This was was one for the memory books though, and I even got to MEET HER!!! She’s puts on a great show! If you haven’t seen her you are missing out!!!

She was AMAZING! I loved every part of this show. This was definitely a check off my bucket list. Definitely a must do again! Thank you Jo Dee Messina for touring again and for telling your story. Your songs got me through some rough stuff in my life and I just want to say I LOVE YOU!

Truly enjoyed this concert! She is still an amazing lady with an amazing voice. I really hope she releases new music because the music industry needs her and country music needs another super talented female. Come on back to Central Illinois any time, Jo Dee!

I’d follow JoDee anywhere! Drove 150 miles after work with my two 20-something daughters who grew up on her music...and then drove home the same night after the show....and then worked the next morning at 6:30am. I’d do it again too! There is no one like her; just a beautiful voice and a great entertainer! Was an amazing night💕

The whole experience was a blast. Ribfest, beanbags, more ribs, tasting ribs, judging ribs! Tony Ortiz rocks! Parmelee was awesome and the bugs couldn't keep JoDee from blowing up the stage (literally...she kept the bugs off with a power fan!) Fireworks at the end of the night were great, too. Totally enjoyed the day.

Another great show by JDM! So great to have her back in Central Illinois. As a long time fan and roadie, it was great to hear some different songs mixed in to her set list. Great variety of music spanning her career as well as new material. Go see her LIVE! You won't regret it!

Having seen Jo Dee perform on the previous occasions, I felt she wasn't nearly as lively and her performance was considerably toned down. She talked a LOT more than usual in between songs, which was nice getting to know her and the meanings behind the songs she had written but it was mood dampening. Her singing voice was spectacular as ever and overall she was terrific. I feel she may have been missing her two children who were out in the tour bus and being away from home on a holiday weekend. She will always be my favorite lady of country music, even though it really seems she doesn't get the radio airplay she deserves.

Amazing woman!!! Jo Dee Messina is a great entertainer, very personable, great sense of humor. Loves her fans. Beautiful voice. The concert was awesome!, I wish it never ended. I could listen to her forever. Her band is amazing. Very talented musicians.

Loved her then, love her now. Her combination is winning: impeccable vocals, humor, wisdom, old songs, and timely new sounds. Buy the new stuff now and enjoy!! The Southlake Women's Club sincerely thanks JDM for making Art in the Square 2015 a phenomenal success! We have had rave reviews!!