Jewel visits with host Nan Kelley on the set of Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo by GAC staff.
Two years ago, Jewel released her first country album, Perfectly Clear, which made her an unintended part of a trend.
Her shift from pop singer-songwriter to country came at the same time that Darius Rucker and Jessica Simpson both attempted that move. Darius went gonzo with four hits from his album Learn To Live, which went platinum and led him to the Country Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award. Jessica never quite connected and moved along to other parts of the entertainment business.
“It was odd timing,” Jewel told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Everybody was doing it at the same time.”
Jewel fared well enough. She got a pair of Top 20 country singles out of Perfectly Clear and took off on a lengthy tour with Brad Paisley. If anyone doubts her sincerity, she’s back with a second country album, Sweet And Wild, which gets released on Tuesday. And she understands that she needs to continue working on the relationship with fans to make sure they know she’s for real.
“Country has a great meter for knowing if you’re faking it,” she said. “And I don’t think because I’ve had success in one place it’s not granted elsewhere.”
Jewel is currently on the Star Light Café Tour, and she adds Radney Foster as the opening act beginning Friday in Atlanta. He’ll open 14 dates for her before the end of the month.
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All these acts find their homes in country when they're previous career go down the crapper.
Jewel lives on a ranch in TX, not LA
mmmmmmmmmmmm
Jewel should stay in country!!! she has made great songs that i love such as Stay Here Forever, Satisfied and I Do. Jewel has a voice that is so unique and thats why I love her music and songs so much!!
I'm glad Jewel turned Country,I always thought her folksy music was more geared to Country.She fits the mold of a Country performer.I think a lot of us fans think she should live in TN or Country Territory.LA area isn't consider a Country Home Town Area.