"As far back
as I can remember, the one constant in my life has been music," says Jessica
Andrews. "I was raised around it. My mom was in some bands, and her whole
family had a talent for singing. We'd all get together and play music --
everyone would sing a cappella. Those sing-alongs were my favorite pastime.
To be able to make a record and perform all over the country is just a dream
come true!"
With her debut DreamWorks
release, Heart Shaped World, Jessica Andrews is seeing the
end result of the evolution of a very musical family. "I've been given a
chance a lot of my relatives would have liked, but for whatever reason, never
had," she remarks. "It's nice that we have this history together because
everyone really understands my need to pursue music. They love it as much
as I do."
Although she's only fifteen,
Jessica's voice encompasses the soulful expression of a woman twice
her age. The emotion she pours into each and every song is born from experience
and pain. "That is just the most amazing thing," Andrews exclaims.
"I would never have believed something like this could happen."
Nor could she have imagined
she'd be supporting Faith Hill, another alumnus of The Prince of Egypt
- Nashville, on the road. "She gave me a camera and a scrapbook,"
Andrews recollects, "and she wrote me a note that said, 'Here's a
little gift to keep your memories.' She wanted me to record these early days.
She said, 'You'll want to remember your first couple of years because
everything's new and exciting and it all goes by so
fast.'"
Andrews took this wisdom
to heart. "This is the happiest time," she says. "I've worked so long on
this album and I love the songs so much -- I can't wait for people to hear
them. I keep saying all this is a dream come true, and that's exactly what
it is. Who knows, maybe I'm still dreaming. If I am -- don't wake me
up!"