My second interview…wow…that’s all I can say: the VERY
talented Ms. Donna Jo. She has a natural, God-given
talent that is not tainted by the virus of the 'industry'. With musical
influences such as Norah Jones, Etta James, Otis Redding, and Janis Joplin—just
to name a few—she has been singing since she was two years old; her grandmother
actually has a recording of her singing when she was two.
With roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and
hailing from Augusta, Georgia, Donna has a deep passion for Blues music. She
blends country and bluegrass to create a style of music all her own. Though we
talked about many topics, the most inspirational for myself was about her
biggest fears as far as her music goes.
Me:
“What’s your biggest fear?”
Donna
Jo: “My biggest fear is becoming stagnant. I want to always be better than
my last show; I would love to make it. I guess my greatest fear is ‘what if I
don’t’?” She goes on to say that she loves music so much that “What level of
success would make me happy?” is a question she often contemplates.
However, despite any challenges that may arise, she's surrounded with a huge support system like her friends, family, and band mates. They have really been her rock through her storms; breaking free from chains that once bounded her, she's now ready to set sail on a new journey and her new songs are showcasing her newly found sense of self. Stating she's writing songs that are "more her". Though she plays guitar and has “dabbled in writing” here and there, she says she recently became a more serious writer
in the past 8 months. “I’m 31 now so I feel I have more to write about.”
I asked her after all this time what made her want to focus
on her music and her answer was priceless, and one I’m sure most musicians can
relate to: “After years of jobs that I hated and not chasing my passion, I
finally figured it was time…” With accolades from Columbia Country Amateur
Series-2014, The Augusta Chronicle Amped Music Contest-2014, Local Country
Showdown, and the Nashville Connection-2014, this is only the beginning for her
on this journey to success.
Her most recent original “Pick Me Up” can be found HERE on
Reverbnation. You can also view her on the following links:
And you can also read more of her story at her website: Donna Jo Music.
I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with her voice just as I
have; and when you get to know her story, it will only deepen your love for
this beautiful soul. I urge you to take a moment to click on the above links to
get to know Donna better and get a feel for her music. She is truly one of the
most talented people I’ve come into contact with in a LONG time!
I’m sure she’s bound to break records beyond our
imaginations (as well as her own)!
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the content!
Leave a comment or shoot me a message; let me know what you
think or give the artist herein a shout-out…even just to say “hi”!
Another site, but not just another blog…the home where we
bring you artists with flavor and stories with substance: The Underground
Artistry Blog.
Yours Truly,
Rachel Marie, the Writer
Double Aught Entertainment, LLC.
The Underground Artistry Blog
