Jessica Clemmons

Jessica Clemmons (born July 16, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas.^[1] She first captured the attention of the public as a contestant on American Idol in 2005,^[2] and although she didn't make it to the final selection, she credits Paula Abdul's word's "One Day We're Going To See Your Name In Lights" as the motivation she needed to continue her career as a recording artist. Since then Jessica has released two albums and an EP, and has gone on to support acts such as The Soldiers, The Stylistics, The Overtones and Boyzone.^[3]

Musical career

In 2007 Jessica was introduced by her Vocal Coach Debbie Beinhorn^[4] to a UK-based Music Producer who suggested she travel to the UK to work with him in his London-based studio. Over the months that followed Jessica also travelled to Aarhus, Denmark, where she worked with Eurovision award-winning songwriter John Gordon^[5] on what would become her debut album, Permanent.

Once the final track-list was complied Jessica travelled back to the US, where she finalised the vocal recordings and instrumentation. The album was mixed by Larry Sturm^[6] at Pressure Point Studios in Chicago, with additional string arrangements written by Carey Deadman^[7] and performed by the Chicago Philharmonic orchestra. The album was officially released in 2009, and included 4 single releases: Permanent, Relentless, Here I Am and I Can Do Anything With You.^[8]

In 2011 Jessica joined the British Forces group The Soldiers as the opening act of their 18 date UK and Ireland Theatre Tour.^[9] Additional support came from Italian singer Gianluca Paganelli. Later that year she took to the stage again as the only support act for legendary Philadelphia Soul Group, The Stylistics. Jessica joined the band for 24 dates of their UK tour performing songs from her debut album Permanent.^[10]

Following several years of promotion and touring, Jessica set to writing her second album, this time in both Chicago and London with acclaimed song-writing outfit Phrased Differently, based out of Shoreditch. The album, entitled Loving This Day was released independently in 2012 on Jessica's own record label, After Midnight Girl Entertainment having partnered with UK distribution and marketing company Absolute earlier that year.^[11]

She released singles Beautiful and Free in the UK with great support from Regional BBC radio stations nationwide, plus national radio support from Graham Norton and Richard Allinson on BBC Radio 2.^[12] Jessica performed live on BBC Radio London on the JoAnne Good show.^[13]

At the end of 2012 Jessica was invited to join UK Vocal Harmony Group The Overtones as the only support act for their 27 date UK and Ireland theatre tour.^[14]

Having spent the last few years co-writing songs that were predominantly pop in genre, Jessica took some time out to reflect on her career. As a Texas Girl born an bred, Jessica felt that she had drifted from her roots and early inspirations founded from her love of Country Music. She travelled to Nashville where she focused on writing songs that were honest and reflective. Jessica spent time in the studio with multi-award winning songwriter Jeff Cohen, who won a BMI Award for his song Postcard From Paris, recorded by The Band Perry. Cohen's credits also include Sugarland, Josh Groban, Macy Gray, and Nick Lachey. Jeff introduce jessica to songwriter James T Slater, infamous for his Grammy nominated song In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride, and to Country Music star and writer Sherrie Austin. The resulting body of work became Jessica's EP What If,^[15] co-written with all three writers, produced by Jeff Cohen and recorded at the Beaird Studios in Nashville.^[16]

Jessica returned to the UK at the end of 2013 to join Boyzone as the opening act for their critically acclaimed BZ20 20th Anniversary tour. In January 2014 she released her new single Single Tonight, taken from the What If EP. The single was added to the BBC Radio 2 Playlist, and supported by Terry Wogan, Simon Mayo and Vanessa Feltz.^[17] while also appearing several times in the background of popular British soap opera Emmerdale.

Critical reception

Jessica Clemmons has received a warm response to her material to date. Having been compared to everyone from Whitney Houston to Kelly Clarkson and Faith Hill, the strength of Clemmons' vocal has never been in question.

Praise for Loving This Day:

"The wonderfully honest ‘Ready To Fall’ is a ballad that the late Whitney Houston would have been proud to deliver." So So Gay^[18] "Loving This Day is an album that has seen Jessica Clemmons experiment with her sound and she has been confident to not go down the same path as her debut record." FemaleFirst^[19] "One for grown ups who still want to dance (a little)." The Rocker^[20] Praise for What If?:

"If this is a heartbreak album, she's strong and upbeat enough to sing with a wry smile at least." Chimeo^[21] "Powerful, soulful, passionate, emotional - pick your word - describing this lady’s voice needs adjectives that convey the pure drive that rips out of the speakers, grabs attention and carries you along." Folk Words^[22] "Emotion packed and soulful, Jessica isn't a name that I'll be forgetting anytime soon, and if there's any justice in the world, she'll become a household name sooner rather than later." FemaleFirst^[23] "The truth is, it might have crept up with little fuss but this EP is a huge step up in Jessica's career and a gamechanger. More of this please, Clemmons." Sonic Reverie^[24] "This is a wonderful EP. Clemmons is well worth following. Personally I'm very much looking forward to the release of an album from her in the near future." Review Graveyard^[25]

Radio and television appearances

BBC Radio Two Support

• Single Tonight (Single) Was added to the BBC Radio 2 Playlist in January 2014 and remained there for 4 weeks^[26]

Interviews & Sessions

• Lorraine Kelly: Interview and session BBC Radio 2 (March 2009)^[27]
• JoAnne Good: Interview and session BBC Radio London (Nov 2012)^[28]
• Terry Wogan: Interview and session BBC Radio 2 (Feb 2014)
• Simon Lederman: Interview and session BBC Radio London (Feb 2014)
• Bradford BAP: Interview BCB 106.6FM (Feb 2014)

Live performances

• The Soldiers UK Tour 2011
• The Stylistics UK Tour 2011
• The Overtones UK Tour 2012
• Boyzone BZ20 UK Tour 2013
• Country 2 Country Music Festival (O2 Arena): March 2014^[29]

Discography

Studio Albums

Singles

Videography

References

External links

• Jessica Clemmons Official Website