We don’t have to tell you that Jessie James Decker has had an impressive career in country music and beyond (but we will anyway). Her latest album “Southern Girl City Lights,” debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Her book Just Jessie is a New York Times bestseller. And her clothing line Kittenish has not one but two successful brick-and-mortar retail locations (no small feat in the era of online shopping.) Like we said, impressive.
Given all her recent success, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s been all roses for the country music star since the start—but, as you may suspect, getting to the top was much harder than it looks. As a teen, she auditioned for (and was rejected by) most country labels in Nashville—but she refused to give up, which isn’t easy in a field as cutthroat and competitive as the music industry.
Below, the persistent singer-songwriter tells us all about her remarkable, chart-topping career in country music, including why she’s glad her career didn’t take off when she was younger, how she stays grounded despite all the fame and fanfare, and her #1 piece of advice for today’s up-and-coming musicians.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: You are such a successful country music singer but where did this passion stem from? What is your earliest music memory?
JESSIE JAMES DECKER: I have been singing for as long as I can remember. My earliest memory is at the age of two singing Disney songs into a plastic mic for my mama. I knew I loved to perform and entertain and make people happy early on.
In addition to being a musician, you are also an author, founder of a clothing brand, and the curator of a makeup collection. Where do you draw inspiration for all of these creative projects? Why did you expand into all of these categories?
I'm a creative person, and I feel all of these outlets are a way to express my creativity and inspiration in many different ways. My mind is always going and always coming up with different ideas and I've been fortunate enough to meet some amazing people to help make those visions come to life. I'm a girls’ girl and, from makeup to music, these things can make a woman feel good in their own skin.
You've amassed such a huge following in such a short amount of time with millions of fans around the world listening to your music. How do you stay grounded despite all the fame and fanfare? What advice do you have for other up-and-coming musicians?
I grew up in a very humble household and my family raised me to always remember what's most important in this life and to keep it real. I am grateful and very blessed for the wonderful dreams that have come true but I am still the same girl I was when I left home. I think that's what my fans appreciate about me. I'm not trying to be something I'm not and I'm honest about who I am and what I portray. Authenticity will never steer you wrong.
“Be your unique self because chances are, someone in the world can relate. And that’s all anyone wants these days—to not feel alone and to know someone gets them.”
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you #FindNewRoads + switch gears to find success?
When I hit a bump in the road, I always feel it’s a sign I need to pay attention to. Maybe I need to take a step back and re-strategize or maybe its time to take another direction to get to the goal I'm trying to achieve. For me, there is always another way to get there, even if I hit a bump.
Who inspires and influences you the most? How have they helped shape you and your career? Why?
My mom inspires me more than anyone, she gave me the courage and confidence to make my dreams come true. When I was ready to give up and when I felt like something wasn't achievable, she always put things into perspective and encouraged me to try again. Giving up was not allowed in my house and I'm glad it wasn't.
What do you wish you had known about the music industry when first starting out? What lessons have you learned along the way?
I have learned to be patient. I wanted to be a big country star at the age of 19 when I got my first record deal. I would get so frustrated and make decisions based on a "wanting it now" attitude, but I'm glad it didn't happen then. Looking back, I wasn't ready. I think I needed to be happy in my personal life and have a family to really know what was important in life in order to succeed in my professional life.
Music is a cut-throat industry—how do you handle rejection? I read in an interview that it can still be challenging for you to think that some people don't like you, how do you deal with criticism like that?
Growing up, I was bullied terribly in school, so feeling rejected will always be something that hurts. But, it’s also something I'm used to, therefore, I'm stronger for it. These days, if I'm rejected, I have a good attitude about it because that means they don't "get me" and I don't need to be in business with someone or a company that doesn't have the passion for me and my projects.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
I just get this feeling in my gut that I don't want to fail. I want to succeed. Once I put my mind to something, I have to see it happen. Also, my family motivates me. They keep me going every day because I want to make them proud. I want to show my daughter that she should never give up. The words I tell her daily, whether she's playing soccer or about to do a cheerleading performance, are, "You got this girl!"
What's a mistake you made and what did you learn from it? How did you turn it into an opportunity?
Early on, I thought I knew everything. Not in a "know it all way," I just knew who I was so strongly, that I didn't want to take any advice about who I was as an artist from anyone. I will say, it worked out better in the end, though. If I had molded myself into the artist that the labels wanted me to be, I wouldn't be sitting in my dining room right now answering these questions with a cup of coffee and my kids running around living my best life!
“I just get this feeling in my gut that I don’t want to fail—I want to succeed. ”
What advice do you have for other musicians coming up behind you? How can they achieve the same success you've experienced? How hard is it to break into the industry? Why?
Use social media to be heard... literally. I didn't have this tool when I was starting out, and my goodness, it’s a huge tool to have! You no longer need large companies to tell you that you’re great in order to get behind you. So many talented artists are now being discovered from building their own fanbases and following because of their talent. Be your unique self because chances are, someone in the world can relate—and that's all anyone wants these days; to not feel alone and to know someone gets them.
The music industry is such a competitive space. How do you stay true to who you are and your voice? How do you stand out and cut through the noise?
I've been told "no" from the beginning because I was different, but I decided that I would create my own path and it wouldn't deter me from making my dreams come true. I got creative and knew that if I did things my way and created a fanbase, then that would be all I needed to keep going. I have always wanted to be a role model for women, and I knew my voice could help and inspire them. I have proven that there are many ways to make it in this industry, and you don't have to follow any cookie-cutter path.
What is the #1 book you always recommend? Why?
I loved The Glass Castle. Jeannette Walls had a wild and unique childhood, but that didn't stop her from achieving her goals and building her character. That's what I always say when things seem messy... it builds character.
