Comeback trail brings Messina to Wood County Fair

Jo Dee Messina will perform at the Wood County Fair, 13800 West Poe Rd., Bowling Green, Saturday night at 8:30. Tickets are $25 for reserved track seating and $20 for reserved grandstand seating. For ticket information, call 419-352-0441.

Professionally and personally, Jo Dee Messina has been on the comeback trail.

The Holliston, Mass., native recently enjoyed a No. 1 single with "My Give a Damn's Busted," the first release off her current album, "Delicious Surprise." The album is the first complete CD of new music in five years for Messina.

More importantly, though, Messina - who will be in Bowling Green Saturday - is relishing a healthier lifestyle after spending time in a Utah alcohol-abuse treatment center early last year.

Messina, 34, has been open about her battle with alcohol, citing career pressure and a breakup with her longtime fiance as contributing factors.

On the new album, several of the songs are intensely personal and offer messages of hope, including "It Gets Better," written by Messina.

"Music has always been an enormous part of my life. It's not just something I do, it's part of who I am. Song writing to me is my refuge, a safe place to me where I can go to spell out my emotions, especially when dealing with tough situations," Messina said earlier this year.

Since releasing her self-titled debut album in 1996, Messina has been a frequent visitor to the top of the music charts, having hit No. 1 with nine singles, including "Bye Bye," "I'm All Right," "Stand Beside Me," "Bring on the Rain," and "That's the Way."

Messina's performances are marked with powerful vocals and a high-energy show honed through years of practice in front of crowds. She gave her first public performance at the age of 6 and formed her own band at 13. By 19, she decided to move to Nashville and was lucky enough to strike up a friendship with Tim McGraw.

At one of McGraw's shows, Messina jokingly told a Curb Record executive: "I was thinking ... y'all need a redhead on this label."

He agreed, and Messina has been making beautiful music ever since.

Jo Dee Messina will perform at the Wood County Fair, 13800 West Poe Rd., Bowling Green, Saturday night at 8:30. Tickets are $25 for reserved track seating and $20 for reserved grandstand seating. For ticket information, call 419-352-0441.

Contact Brian Dugger at:

bdugger@theblade.com

or 419-724-6183.