Massachusetts’ Jo Dee Messina has a role in Cole Swindell’s new video for his current hit single, “She Had Me at Heads Carolina. The song references the 1996 debut single, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” from Holliston, Massachusetts’ hometown girl, Jo Dee Messina. She went on to become the most commercially successful country artist from New England. Cole’s song, along with a few other current singles, clearly shows there is a resurgence of love for 90s country music.
Cole Swindell released a new music video for his latest single. Pay attention to the bartender, when watching the video. Yup, that is our girl, Jo Dee Messina from Massachusetts, behind the bar, taking orders and serving drinks. When I chatted with Cole, after the release of his album, Sterotype, he talked about his love and appreciation of Jo Dee, her music, and Boston. You can listen to that conversation, below, as well as check out the new video from Cole. Also check out some of Jo Dee’s biggest hits, below. Roar on, 90’s country!
Jo Dee Messina fun fact: The first time I spoke with Jo Dee was way back in the 90s. She had randomly called into the request line to tell me she was on her way to Nashville, from Holliston, to become a country music star. I chuckled, and said “of course you are,” and I wished her the best. But, I was thinking the odds were against her. I’m so happy I was completely wrong on this one! The next time we spoke, she told me the story of how when she first got to Nashville, she and Tim McGraw became friends. They told each other, whoever made it first in the biz, would help out the other. Tim made it first, getting signed to Curb records. A few years later, Jo Dee got signed to the same record label. Tim co-produced her debut album. He held true to their pact, and the rest is country music history!
Get the whole story on Jo Dee’s debut single below!