Jessica Lynn – Run To

By: Robert Warren

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My sound is country but with very heavy influences of pop, the blues, soul and rock.  I always describe myself as a crossover artist because there really isn’t only one genre label that fits what I do.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I have a very wide range of musical influences.  My biggest ones throughout the years have been Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Richard Marx, No Doubt, Shania Twain, Phil Vassar and The Temptations.

Q) Start by telling us about your new single, “Run To.” What makes this song mean so much to you?

A) This song means so much to me because it is honest.  I took the first two weeks of 2020 to do nothing but write songs and not songs that were riddled with business decisions, but songs that were real and from the heart. My New Year’s resolution was to take this approach and I think some of the best stuff I have ever written came out of those two weeks. The thing I love so much about “Run To” is that it can really apply to anything anyone is longing to feel.  For me, it was finding my real voice in music again.

Q) Is it difficult to get personal in your songs like you do in “Run To” and why do you do it?

A) For me, getting personal in my songs is the easiest thing.  The thing I find so difficult about writing is trying to fit in the box that the modern music business tries to put you in.  I get personal because that’s when you truly connect with people.  Music is such an incredible universal language.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that listeners relate to?

A) I think listeners have been relating to the song so much and also covering it, recording their own renditions around the world because it has the ability to mean many different things.  It has been a really amazing thing for me to witness.  I wrote it as a love song with also a hidden meaning for me of running to the way I wanted to feel about music again.  It was incredible for me, the first time we debuted it acoustically, opening for Richard Marx. So many people spoke to me after the show and told me in tears that it reminded me of someone that had passed away.  It was that night that I knew this song was something special.

Q) You’ve shared the stage with big names like Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, ZZ Top, Loretta Lynn and more. Being up there on that stage, with those big names, how does it feel?

A) Those moments are definitely “pinch me” moments.  Often, I really don’t feel like it’s real life!  To share stages and experiences with people you’ve looked up to and admired your whole life.  It makes me feel very proud of all my hard work and my journey.

Q) You’ve done lots of songs like “Let’s Don’t,” “Crazy Idea,” “Roadhouse” and more. What songs hold a special place in your heart?

A) “Crazy Idea” was the first song I ever released to radio and it broke the Top 50 on the country chart, so that song will always be special to me.  “Crazy Idea” also holds special meaning because I co-wrote and recorded it on one of my first ever trips overseas to Europe with a very famous Belgian producer and his team, which then spiraled into “Jessica Lynn” becoming a worldwide brand.  For me, that song feels like the “kick-off.”

Q) Aside from being a singer-songwriter you play everything from piano, harmonica, guitar and drums. What do you find to be the most difficult instrument for you and why?

A) I think harmonica is actually the most difficult, although it seems very simple.  I remember saying, “I am going to learn harmonica,” and thinking I was going to be good in like a week. [laughs] That didn’t happen.  After several weeks of a purple face and swollen lips I finally got some of the basics down.  It is way more challenging than it looks!

Q) What advice would you give to artists who are trying to grow themselves during this COVID-19 pandemic? We would love to hear.

A) Use this time as a blessing, not a curse.  Anything in life is what you make it.  Although you can’t get out on the road and play shows and do what we all really love to do, there are so many creative ways to be connecting with your fans via livestreams and social media.  Use this time to grow your following and your brand so that when everything opens back up, you are ready to come out of the gate better than you were before!

Q) Being an advocate for many humanitarian causes and mentor for both young women and children worldwide, what words would you like to offer in this crazy time of crisis right now?

A) You can get through anything if you just keep a positive mindset.  I know that it is hard sometimes, but if you just believe that you will come out stronger, you will.  You have to use every ounce of negativity in your life to propel you towards greatness rather than let it consume you.  Even if you just start every day with a positive affirmation like, “I can do this.  Today will be better than yesterday,” you will eventually believe it.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans, your followers and the people who just love you?

A) I want to say thank you so much for the years of endless support.  I really feel that I have the most amazing fans and friends in the world who have been with me and believe in me with all of their hearts for so long.  I wouldn’t be able to do it without you and am eternally grateful and humbled by it.