Jo Dee Messina has been named as a headliner of the Marion Popcorn Festival on Saturday, September 7, 2013. Messina has sold over five million albums, had nine number one singles, and earned two Grammy nominations in addition to numerous awards by both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
She joins The Village People who were previously announced as the Friday, September 6 headliner.
Part of country music’s late-’90s new crop of female crossover stars, Messina’s appeal has remained more with country fans throughout the years than pop audiences. She was born in August of 1970 in Massachusetts and began singing in musical plays starting at age eight, but discovered country music at age 12. Messina soon started performing live and by 16 she was playing local clubs with a rhythm section made up of her brother on drums and sister on bass. At age 19, she moved to Nashville in search of greater exposure and sang regularly for prize money in local talent competitions. One win led to a regular gig on the radio show Live at Libby’s, which in turn caught the interest of record producers.
Messina’s self-titled debut album was released in 1996 and gave her two Top Ten hits in “Heads Carolina, Tails California” and “You’re Not in Kansas Anymore.” The album sold well, setting the stage for her mega sophomore effort, I’m Alright. Released in 1998, it made Messina the first female country artist to score three multiple-week number one hits from the same album: “Bye Bye,” “I’m Alright” (ASCAP’S Song of the Year), and “Stand Beside Her.” She nearly had a fourth, but “Lesson in Leavin'” stalled at number two. 1999 saw Messina honored as ACM’s Top New Female Vocalist and by the CMA with their Horizon award and Most Played Country Female.
The 2000’s saw even more hits from Messina, including “That’s the Way,” “Burn,” “Downtime,” and the Tim McGraw duet “Bring on the Rain.” In additional to her regular album releases, Messina also has a holiday album, A Joyful Noise, and a Greatest Hits album.
The last six or seven years have found Messina working hard to find a good fit between her career and marriage and motherhood. She says it’s about balance and living life to the fullest.
Festival president Karen Shaffer said, “Jo Dee Messina is another one of those singers who has had great success in both the country and pop arenas, so many will know all the words to song after song. I can’t wait to hear that powerful voice of hers in person.”
The 2013 dates of the 33rd Marion Popcorn Festival are September 5, 6, and 7. All performances on the Festival’s main stage begin at 8:30 p.m. and are free of charge. A limited number of Kernel sponsorship seats are available for any of the main stage performances by calling 740-383-2076.
The Marion Popcorn Festival is the largest popcorn festival in the world with an annual attendance estimated in excess of 250,000 over the three-day festival. Other events include The Marion Popcorn Festival Scholarship Program, Miss Teeny Pop, Wee Little Pop, the Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Parade with over 300 units, a popcorn cooking contest, a fine art show, crafts, Popcorn 5000 5K run, Popcorn 100 bike tour, a community showcase stage, and more.
For more information, visit our web site at www.popcornfestival.com or call 740-387-FEST. The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion.
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