Jessica Andrews - Spotlight

Girls' Life, August-Sept, 2003 by Laura Ferrara

AGE: 19. HOMETOWN: Huntingdon, Tenn. She now lives in Nashville. CLAIM TO FAME: You've surely heard her hit country tune "Who I Am." She recently released her third album Now and made her acting debut in the WB's Greetings from Tucson THE TALK OF THE TOWN: Even Jessica's fam wasn't aware of her strong singing voice until she won her fourth grade talent show.

She started doing local gigs. "I just sang around town, basically at anything and everything I could." THE DREAM CHASER: A year later, Jessica formed her own band The Dream Chasers. "We were just kind of like hot stuff in my hometown and around west Tennessee. I had a woman who was my mom's age that was singing backup." This woman brought Jessica's talent to the attention of producer Byron Gallimore. Jessica landed a record deal by 14, and released her first album Heart Shaped World. RUNS IN THE FAM: Jessica's parents helped her start her first band. "My mom's side of the family is very musical. My mom played in bands and stuff up until she was nine month s pregnant with me." NOW: Jessica's new album is very personal and represents a whole new her. For the first time ever she co-wrote two songs, reflecting her new outlook on life (something she owes a little bit to her new beau). HER NEW BEST FRIEND: "I was starting a new phase of my life when I met Marcel [Chagnon, singer/songwriter]. He just stepped right into my life at the most perfect time. We've been best friends, and can't be away from each other ever since then. I'm just so thankful he's in my life." Marcel recently released his CD You, Me and The Windshield. HER IDOLS: "I would have to say my mom is one of them because I grew up listening to her sing." Other artists who've influenced Jessica are Modonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and Trisha Yearwood. ALWAYS A FAN: Who would make Jessica go, "Ohmigod!" it she were to meet him? "I've met a lot of singers, actors and actresses, and it's exciting, but the one I've yet to meet that would probably make me nervous is Sting. I didn't listen to him very m uch growing up but, after I got my record deal, I became the biggest fan and am to this day." DRAMA QUEEN: Jessica plans to further pursue acting when the time is right. "I've expressed an interest in acting from the day I got my record deal. I've told everyone I want to do this. When I decide to put 100-percent focus into acting, I'll do that.