Country music singer-songwriter Jo Dee Marie Messina was born on August 25, 1970 in Framingham, Massachusetts and grew up in Holliston. She is of Italian descent. She was just eight years old when she started singing and studying tap dancing. She performed in local productions of The Sound of Music and Fiddler On The Roof. At 13, she performed in local clubs with different bands and at 16, she was lead for The
Jo Dee Messina Band. The group consisted of her sister, her brother and her mom and they became famous in New England's country music arena. She studied at Holliston High School.
When she was 19, Jo Dee Messina moved to Nashville to expand her horizons. Initially, she found work as an accountant and a computer programmer. At the same time, she entered every singing contest that came her way until she became a regular performer on Live at Libby's, a local radio program.
In 1996, she launched her first self-titled album which climbed to the 22nd spot on the US Country Charts. After two years, she released I'm Alright which contained the singles “Bye, Bye,” “I'm Alright” and “Stand Beside Me.” These three songs made her the first ever female country artist to have three number one hits from the same album.
Her other albums are A Joyful Noise, Burn, Greatest Hits and Delicious Surprise. The latter three all made it to the #1 spot on the US Country Charts. Her other chart-topping hits were “My Give a Damn's Busted,” “Bring on the Rain,” “That's The Way,” “Lesson in Leavin'” and “Burn.”
She has contributed her music to the soundtracks of View from the Top and Driven.
She also acted as Annie on Touched by an Angel and as Tammy McGraw on Nash Bridges.
Jo Dee Messina is a contestant on CBS' reality TV series
Secret Talents of the Stars , a show that pits celebrities against each other as they showcase their hidden abilities. Her hidden talent is dancing.
(Photo courtesy of CBS and Jo Dee Messina)