Jo Dee Messina

Career, Cancer, Addiction, Faith and Fame

Thanks to Annie Spratt @anniespratt for making this photo available freely on Unsplash 🎁 https://unsplash.com/photos/4Hpljf9Y1ko

Jo Dee Messina was born on August.25.1970 in Framingham Massachusetts to Vincent and Mary Messina, her Father was of Italian descent and her Mother of Irish descent. She has two sisters Terese and Marianne, and a brother, Vincent. At an early age, Messina’s love for music blossomed. She drew influence from a variety of country music artists, including Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, and The Judds. By the time she was sixteen she was playing in local club, singing while her brother and sister provided backup on drums and guitar. They continued playing together until Jo Dee Messina graduated from high school.

At the age of nineteen Jo Dee Messina moved to Nashville, knowing that living in the Northeast would limit her chances at country music stardom. She worked at very temporary jobs, most notably computer programming and accounting while still entering talent competitions throughout Nashville.

One contest win brought about a regular gig on the radio show Live at Libby’s, which caught the interest of producer Byron Gallimore, who helped her assemble a demonstration tape. Gallimore was also working with the young Tim McGraw around the same time, and…