Music performance has always been a part of my life. My mother was a big believer in music and dance study so at the age of 3 … I began that journey. My first memory of performing … age 5. They had to practically bribe me to get up there and sing. My mother and father then converted an old gas station into a lounge where they performed skits and stuff. I remember getting caught dancing and singing out in front of the building ... with a hat strategically placed for tips. Looking back at that makes me chuckle … though I daresay I got scolded and probably a good deal more than that for doing it.
I was born in North Florida (often referred to as LA – Lower Alabama). My parents both came from Alabama and we lived for many years in Birmingham. So … I guess you could say that I came by my country roots honestly although having lived in the southern part of Florida most of my adult life you could also say I’m a blend … like my music. One of my sweetest childhood memories … my mother singing songs to me … and she sang all the time.
I studied piano at the age of eight and by the age of thirteen I found the guitar. From the very beginning the guitar was a connection to something powerful that grabbed hold of me really hard. It gave me a way to express things that otherwise stayed on the inside. Mostly self taught I have a sort of rough jagged edge with an aggressive grasp and tremendous focus. I’m very percussive yet melodic with a lot of bass runs flowing through my songs. For me those six strings are a unique and powerful tool that not only allows me a wonderful avenue for self expression but a way for me to influence my take on life. I find so much comfort and insight from holding the instrument, playing with chords and melodies and translating what I feel in my heart and hear in my head onto the fret board and into the world … both lyrically and musically.
Musical influences to name a few ... Joni Mitchell, CSN, Clapton, Heart, James Taylor ... and as a child a lot of R&B with Stevie Wonder a favorite. The subject matter of my songs is diverse to be sure and that diversity of expression is very captivating for me. My style is a fusion of many … blended and eclectic with specific compositions somewhat true to particular genres. Still … if you listen for a bit I think you will find that there are definite and very particular movements across the fret board so uniquely inherent to ‘Jackie’. These movements are soulful for me.
Though I have not played publicly very much in awhile I am slowly returning to it. That wonderful connection that is possible between an artist and a listener is an amazing gift. There is a very intimate understanding that they share. I’ve had the pleasure and opportunity to experience that gift in many settings and with many projects and talented musicians. I sure do hope to have more.
A native Floridian I have made North Carolina my home. It's the atmosphere … change of seasons … variation in terrain ... close proximity of shoreline and mountains ... and those magnificent trees that inhabit this beautiful state that hold me here. But the fact that my daughter lives here is what truly makes it home.