The Bobby Bones Show - BOBBYCAST: Jessica Andrews on the Success of Her Song “Who I Am” + Signing Her First Record Deal at 13 Years Old + Having Her Life Ruined by an Imposter + Her Connection to Taylor Swift’s Career

Episode Date: May 16, 2025

On this episode of the BobbyCast, Bobby sits down with singer/songwriter, Jessica Andrews. Jessica is most known for her song "Who I Am", so she discusses the success of that song and how Martina McBride wanted to cut it before she ever put it out. Plus, Jessica told Bobby about signing her first record deal at 13 years old, how an imposter ruined her life, and her connection to Taylor Swift's career! Follow on Instagram: @TheBobbyCast Follow on TikTok: @TheBobbyCast Watch this Episode on Youtube  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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If you want to understand the draft like an insider, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen to the Sports Slice Podcast on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 and TikTok podcast network on TikTok. They took a chance on me giving me that song because when I was in the studio about to record it, Martina McBride was on the phone begging for that song. I really believed deeply that that was not the right song for her and that it was the right song for me. Episode 511, Jessica Andrews. What was cool about this was that, you know, she hasn't done a whole lot in the past few years.

She's been focusing on being a mom and she still was able to come and sit for about an hour and talk. I did feel I didn't want to be disrespectful and even mention the term one-hit wonder. Because I feel like that could be taken in a derogatory way. and sometimes it is, I never was going to say that. She brought it up. Yeah, you want to know something that she sent me? Because the thing is that she... Good or bad?

Well, she didn't really have a whole lot of like... We always asked for like, hey, your bio, what do you want to promote? She didn't really have a whole lot of that. And she sent me an article. She's like, this is the most recent thing written about me. And it was an article about her being a one-hit wonder. And I felt a little like, oh, man. Yeah, I didn't want to do that.

If she wanted to say it, then we talked about it. about it, but I wanted to be so respectful, because I was just interested in her story of being a very young artist, a teenager, and making it and then kind of why she fell off. And then you learn. Like all the dynamics of why someone loses a record deal, why someone doesn't have.

So I thought it was super cool to spend this time. I learned a lot about her. That song, Who I am Rosemary's granddaughter The Spitting Image of My Father That's a massive song still Yeah I remember seeing that music video all the time on CMT So a few fun facts about Jessica Andrews

Her Instagram is private I will also say this I wasn't as knowledgeable about the weirdo stalker that she has Dude that sucked She talks about it Yeah, that sucks It's crazy It's crazy

It just sucks like searching her music and the other stuff popping up. At the age of seven, she underwent a surgery for a spinal condition with a 50% chance of causing paralysis. By age 11, she had formed her first band, was performing locally. At age 15, she released her first album,

Heart-shaped World in 1999. She made her debut at the Opry in 99. She tore her Trisha Earwood in 2000. And here she is, Jessica Andrews. Jessica, thank you for coming. This is cool for me. Oh, my gosh. Thank you.

happened so weirdly. So I was doing this show and Brett James was playing your song. Wow. And I thought, I know she lives around here. I've never met her though. And so we were doing this like a TV show and Brett was playing it and my manager was with me and I was like, do you know her? And he said, no, I don't know her, but I'll see what's up. Then he, the next night, he's at the opera and you're singing at the opery. And he goes, we just talked about this and she's here. Was it a private, was it a private show? It was the Opry in the last month or so. It was the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award. They were honoring Scott Wachetta for it. And I was like, well, all these worlds are kind of coming together. That's so cool. Like, is there any way, like she still lives here, I think. And so how did they

get in touch with you? Because we haven't met. That's crazy. We've never met. That is cool. That's a really cool story. Who is your manager, by the way? Tom Llewerty. He works in Red Light. That's what I love Tom. Everybody knows Tom. Everybody knows Tom. Yeah. I worked with him briefly. But they got in touch with me.

It's like Tom call? Not Tom. John Zarling, who works closely with Scott. And he called and said that they were going to be doing the, he was going to be one of the recipients or the recipient for this year for the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award. And they were going to have a few. artists, you know, that were kind of instrumental throughout his career. And, um, and they asked me to come and sing. And how, how quick of a yes is that? Oh my gosh. Well, I mean, of course. I mean, I, I, I'm, I'm not really doing a whole lot these days as far as, you know, getting out and, you know,

doing my thing with, with singing. But that was, you know, that's just a no-brainer because, I mean, for one, that's just something that is so important for Scott, but also, you know, that that was my only, like, one big song, you know, and he was the person who made that happen. He's the reason that was a big, big hit. And I always, I seem to think that when I was at DreamWorks, which was, that was the label that I was with for, you know, most of my career, um, Scott, started to to and behind the scenes I didn't know this at the time but he was starting to make moves um to leave and um start up start up his own thing and I've always felt like um if Scott was still there

and we were still working together I probably would have had you know more more songs that did better but he just because he just there was just nobody like him as far as radio promo and stuff so when did you meet Borsetta for the first time I met him probably when I was 13, maybe even younger, because I signed my record deal when I was

13, I think. My first album came out at 15 and he was there. You know, he was the head of promotions at DreamWorks when I was first signed. That's crazy that those numbers exist 13 and 15 as far as like an artist. I know.

I know. When I look back on that now, I'm like, because I have a 7-year-old son and I'm thinking, my gosh. you know, could he be, like, ready for what I was doing at, you know, 12 and 13? And it's really, like, astonishing. I mean, I know there's kids out there that are, like, doing it, you know, and it happens all the time.

But it's remarkable to think about the level of, you know, the game, what you're doing at that age, you know. Different environment, though, I would say then as to now, because now a kid can get on a phone and do it. Right, yeah. You've got to be so different and special and the right person. got to find you 10, 20, 50 years ago, depending on anybody from like the kid actors, the black and white days to the young singers all the way up until probably the early 2000s.

Like you had to be really special, really good, and be really lucky at somebody who can see that, that they find you. And so, yeah, to be 12, 13. So many stars have to align back then as opposed to now with technology and everything. What was like the luckiest thing,

like a star? What was that star aligning for you way early on at 13, 14, even up to 16 or 17, then aligned. And you look back and you go, man, if that wouldn't happen, I don't know if anything would have happened. There was quite a few of those moments for me that were just, I guess, meant to be at that time. I was 12, 12 years old singing in a band that my parents had put together in West Tennessee. I kind of grew up around music. My mom always had bands, and she was always always. singing and stuff so I was around that a lot and so at some point um we've formed a band for me

and um I had a woman that was singing with me at the time in my band um and she grew up with byron Gallimore who's an amazing producer I guess I know I'm from Tim McGraw he's Tim's producer all these years later he's like I mean he's produced a lot of people but um Tim's been his like number one, like, since the beginning. And she got in touch with him somehow. They grew up together. And she's like, I work with this 12-year-old, and I'd love to, for you to hear her.

So we came to Nashville. He was, I think he did her a favor, obviously. He's like, okay, you know, sure, I love you. And, you know, we grew up together, but okay, we'll do that. And I sang for him in an office. And he was very dismissive at first. You know, he was just like, okay, you know, it's so nice to meet you.

But then I started singing and he just stopped me right there in the room. And he's like, stop, you know, let's, I'm in, let's do this. That was a moment, you know, I was just like, oh my gosh, you know. And I had a few of those, you know. And in those early days, Byron was also producing Faith Hill. They had just started to work together. And Faith kind of took me under her wing and was just like, hey, I'm doing a tour and come out and open up for it. me and so I did that was awesome but yeah Tim and Face were really big champions of me in the in the

beginning um and and Byron you know he was he was like he did everything for me we lived with him um he got me took me to record companies and ultimately you know he signed with Dreamworks who's we um I say we just because it's yeah it was like a you know my parents and all of us you know we all felt like a family he felt like family you know um but it was James Stroud. He was the president at the time. And, yeah, signed pretty quickly. And we did spend a while making that first album.

Like, we didn't just rush out and put it out. Did you shop other places once you felt like they liked you? Or was it just, hey, we like you and you signed with them? There was a little bit of that. But I think that James was really vocal about, like, you know, we want to do this, this is where you belong. And so we didn't, there wasn't a whole lot of that. I just think he just made a really compelling argument, like, be here.

This is where to be. And so we did that fairly quickly. Your mom sang. So what's her story? When did she start singing? What were her career ambitions? You know, she just always was probably musical her whole life, you know, sang and loved to sing as well.

My grandmother. but and she had bands like she was always having bands and my dad would run sound and stuff like that and I was always around that it was just something that she did I think for fun I don't think it was ever a like you know a career in mind she tried to make it no no it wasn't anything like that it was just she loved it it was a passion so she she did it at least not that I've ever known you know I don't think she's ever wanted to do that but it was just a passion and And that kind of got passed on to me a little bit, although I was very shy in the beginning about it.

Would you sing with her ever? Like get on stage? Yeah, we did. We would sing together, yeah. Would you ever feel not so shy while on stage? I used to hide behind her. Like that was... So you were still shy on stage?

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I'm kind of shy by nature. Really? Yeah, big time. But, you know, over time, you kind of... You have to have to adapt a little bit, I think. but I was just, you know, so young too. Like, it's awkward a little bit at times.

So, you know, that was part of it for me. Yeah, all the awkward years, though, you kind of did here. The awkwardest years are like 11 to 16 and a half, or like right when you're 15 and a half, 16 years old. Like, all of that was- I'm going through all of it in front of everybody, you know. Yeah. So you say the record took a little bit of time to make.

Why? Like, what were you guys doing? Were you just finding songs, writing? I wasn't, I was not a writer back then, like I didn't even have any aspirations to do that. But Byron has always been a song guy. Like he is just a, you know, find great songs. His wife, Missy Gallimore, who's an amazing A&R person, they both just are known to be really, really good song people, A&R. And that was just very important to him to have, you know, the right songs.

And, you know, I'll admit, I was slow out the gate as far as my first album. It came out when I was 15. And we took a long time to make it. But there wasn't really anything that, you know, worked from that record. I think my first single was from a movie soundtrack, Prince of Egypt. It was an animated movie. Did you go to school here? Or did you do homeschool?

Home school. I went to school, like, up until eighth grade. And then we switched to homeschool. And no, it was in West Tennessee where I'm from. And then at some point when we started making all the trips to Nashville back and forth, we were like, okay, we're going to have to homeschool now. So we did that. What age did you commit to just moving here?

Well, it's funny, we lived with Byron for probably a year, kind of off and on through the week. Then we'd go home on the weekends. And then by 15, 14 probably was when we got an apartment, I think, but 15 it was permanent. Yeah. So I've been here a long time. Well, that's a big move for a kid. Like you're really going to go and do this, but you may not even understand. what's happening?

I mean, at 15 you kind of understand, but your mom, everybody moved with you, right? Yeah. Well, I have a sister. She didn't, at the time, she didn't move because she's seven years older than me, and she was, she just, I don't, I think she was, I can't remember if she had it.

No, she was getting married, didn't have a baby yet, but. She was old enough, though, to make her own decisions. Mm-hmm, exactly. Your parents must have really believed, though, if they're going to move with you. Oh, they were all in.

That's support. Yeah, yeah. everything they gave up everything like sold our house that you know i was born and raised in and well not born in but it was our my childhood home and we we just left everything you know i think about that now i'm like oh my gosh you know that that is so uprooting you know like uprooting your entire world um and i guess you know they just knew it had to be done like this is this is the new chapter we're in let's do it wow that is quite the sacrifice yeah i know So were you, as a 11, 12 year old,

were you so much better than everybody? Not in Nashville. Because like for someone here, you know, because now you're here, I'm here. I go to other places and people will be like, you've got to hear this person sing. And I'm like, yeah, that's pretty good. But Nashville's kind of like the land of giants.

Right. Where everybody is good. The bar is like so much different. It's like a good ball player at a single A or AA high school. Like most of the time, it's a good ball. player to small school. Every once in a while there's somebody who's amazing, but for the most part, it's like,

well, if they played in the bigger leagues, but it must have been something special, super special about you to not be here and someone from here see you and go, oh, you're awesome. Did you feel awesome? Gosh, I'm such a terrible person. Like, I'm the wrong one to ask because I hate to... But I ask you so you're not bragging. That's the difference. Because you must have been, because Byron has everybody to choose from that lives here.

Is it everybody? From 15-year-olds to 35-year-olds? I mean, I would say that he has great ears. He knows, he has a knack for weeding through that, I guess, and finding the things that stay out. I'm asking you to talk about you. Like, were you just crushing it as like an 11-year-old? You know, I mean, I was probably, to a degree.

Yeah. When you're younger, you don't get in your head. You're not thinking. just like doing it you know and i did i would just i'd show up open my mouth and bam like things started happening did your mom work with you on singing or was it pretty natural yeah she did um yeah we got vocal lessons all those things that you want to do to try to cultivate your your craft you know um and learn how to take care of it those kind of things and she was very helpful with all that and putting me with the right people for you know for how to take care of my voice and and things to make it better

stuff like that. Your band, were they older? They were, yeah. I was always around older, older folks. In small town or not even, just small-ish town. I'm sure you have to find older people than how old are to play? There's not a lot of 11-year-olds.

How old were the people in your band? They were 20s, 30s? Older, probably. Yeah, now that I'm thinking about it, they were probably older. My parents' age, probably. Probably, gosh, well, if I'm thinking about it, back then.

So, yeah, it was probably 40s, maybe, 30s. gosh, something like that. When you're a kid that feels like 100. Oh, no, exactly. Yeah. Like it will never be that old. Gosh, when I'm done with this, I'll go back and I'll think about it. And they're probably like, no, they weren't.

They were like 32. I don't know. But they do. They did seem like a lot older at the time. But they were so awesome. They were great. You know, like I could see like, when you have this kid, you know, like, oh, gosh, I'm going to go play an instrument in a band for a kid, you know.

But they were so respectful. I've been so blessed to have a lot of people around me that always respected my opinions about things and just didn't treat me like, you know, they didn't shrug me off like you don't know anything. It's never been like that for me. Even Byron was just always asking me, you know, this is you, your career, your name, everything.

Like, what do you think? How do you feel? What do you want to sound like? What kind of songs do you want to do, you know? so because you're not only just doing going through the motions I mean I'm learning on the go you know I had no experience with anything and as a kid so that's kind of what it's like is you're just you're just figuring it out as you go and learning and and you have all these hopefully you have all these people around you who are really good and and helpful you know and are guiding you in all the right ways the first record that you put out you said at 15 Mm-hmm. Did that feel successful? Because, again, it was later until it really hit for you. Yeah.

Did that feel successful to you? It was a good, well, I'll say, in hindsight, it was a good start-off point for me, I feel like. But it wasn't until we started to go in and make the second record. That was the one that I found the song, Who I Am. Was it because you knew more of what you were looking for because you just did it? Mm-hmm. And so now you had a better idea of what you wanted. I do think so.

I do. I really do. And you also have to remember, too, when I came out, 1999, 2000, this was in an era with Leanne Rhymes. That was like the big phenomenon of that time in country music. There had been no one since like Brenda Lee, you know, all of that, you know, Tanya Tucker. So there had not been any kind of child star in the mix in decades in the industry in country music. So, I came out like I was kind of a little bit in her shadow in those early days like Leon Rhymes was doing really well so I feel like that first record I just think we were we might have overthought it trying too hard figure out what I was

and I think the second record we just we knew a little bit more about what to do did it come together quicker it did and I think we just made a point to make it quicker too not to spend so long not to record a thousand songs, you know. We're like, we've done this, we know, you know, let's,

let's just, let's move it, move it along. Did they give you confidence in saying, hey, we're sticking with you for another record? That was the other thing too, is, is DreamWorks was committed, you know, they were, they were in it for the long haul with me, which was great. And during that process of finding songs, looking for songs for that album was when the little old song, Who I Am, came along. which was, you know, Brett James, Troy Virges, two writers. It was Troy's first cut, first song you'd ever gotten cut by an artist. Not Brett.

Brett had had some other, you know, success. But they took a chance on me giving me that song. Because when I was in the studio about to record it, I remember Martina McBride was on the phone, begging for that song. And I remember at the time thinking, like, I don't really feel like, you know, she's a mom, she's got children. This song seems more like of a song that is somebody who's like trying to find their way.

They don't, you know, and Martina's more settled. You know, she's got, I just didn't feel like I really believed deeply that that was not the right song for her and that it was the right song for me. And thankfully, you know, Brett and Troy agreed. They could have, they could have given it to Martina, who was so successful. Did you feel like that? was the song as you were recording it? Or was it once it was recorded,

you were like, you knew that was the one? Yeah, I mean, even just listening to the demo, we knew that was a great song, then recording it all the way. I think everyone knew throughout the whole process. Like, we have a single, we have a first single, you know, this is it. It just became clearer, you know,

through every phase of making that record, that that was going to be the lead off. Did that song hit different, meaning when it came out, you felt it quicker than any of the songs prior. Oh, yeah. From outside, you just like, wow, it was well received. Yeah.

That song, it was just super special. And it was so, it's like a song. In fact, to this day, people ask me if I wrote it, you know, because it sounds personal. It sounds like a song that I would have written because it is so personal sounding. And to this day, people still will ask me, is your grandmother,

Rosemary, you know, that... Which it's not, right? Which it's not. No, it's not. But, um... But, uh, yeah, I just feel like that song was, is, is so special. And in Scott Burchetta, at the time, who was the head of promotion at DreamWorks,

um, he just put together this super amazing campaign at radio at that time and worked, I think I told the story that night when I was honoring him, um, that he, He was like, okay, we're going to go do a radio tour for this song, and we're going to, it came out in, like, late, later in the year. And so we had to do a radio tour right up until Christmas. How old are you at the time?

16. 16, because I think it went number one when I was 17, but it came out the end of the year, the prior year. And so we just, we did a strong radio game with it, and, you know, nobody does it better than Scott. Like he just had a, he felt like, man, we got a great song. Let's go. What was the biggest and craziest it got with that song? Well, I mean. Did you play the award shows?

I did, yeah, won an award. I was nominated. I always think this is funny. Like, I was nominated for Horizon. It used to be called Horizon Award right alongside Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. And it's funny, like those guys have gone on to have such amazing careers. And I was like right there with them at the time. Like we were all three, like doing all the same things together.

And I won top new female vocalist at the ACMs. All the things. Yeah, it was, it was life-changing for me. What did your grandma's name? Her name's Patsy. I am Pats. Not enough syllables. I know, right?

Did you try to say that like, Miss Pats? Yeah, then I'd be like, I am Miss Patsy on Third Street's Grand. It just didn't fit. It didn't work. It was cute. I remember her saying, like, people would come up to her and say, are you Rosemary? And she used to say, well, you know what? If this song's a big hit, then I'm going to I'll be Rosemary. I'm going to change my name to Rosemary. It was so cute. Let's take a quick pause for a message from our sponsor. A win is a win. A win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball. to college football or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. There's two golden rules that any man should live by. Rule one, never mess with a country girl. Play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. And Rule 2, never mess with her friends either. We always say that, trust your girlfriends.

I'm Anna Sinfield, and in this new season of the girlfriends... Oh my God, this is the same man. A group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. I felt like I got hit by a truck. I thought, how could this happen to me? The cops didn't seem to care. So they take matters into their own hands. I said, oh, hell no.

I vowed I will be his last target. He's going to get what he deserves. Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe. On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, everyone? I'm Ago Wodom. My next guest, you know from Step Brothers Anchorman, Saturday Night Live,

and the Big Money Players Network, it's Will Farrell. Woo, woo, woo, woo. My dad gave me the best advice. ever. I went and had lunch with them one day and I was like, and dad, I think I want to really give this a shot. I don't know what that means, but I just know the groundlings. I'm working my way up through and I know it's a place that come look for up and coming talent. He said, if it was based solely on talent, I wouldn't worry about you, which is really sweet. Yeah. He goes, but there's so much luck involved. And he's like, just give it a shot. He goes, but if you ever reach a point where

you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel fun anymore, it's okay. to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah. It would not be. Right. It wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck. Yeah. Listen to Thanks Dad on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And we're back on the Bobbycast. The label, one of the labels that you're on, they didn't even put out your record because they folded. Oh, yeah. That was later, I have friends that's happened to as well. Yeah, I've had the worst, craziest luck, you know?

I will say this. So after we had, you know, my really good run at DreamWorks and behind the scenes, things started shifting with Scott Bursetta wanting to leave and start his own thing, which I didn't know any of this at the time. But I remember thinking, like, man, if he leaves, like, it's going to be different for me. Because we have such a connection. He's been your champion.

He really was. And it was really him and Jimmy Harnon, who now has gone on to be, you know, as successful as Scott. But those two guys, they were just magic. And they were in my corner. And so once he left, I, you know, I did do another album after the Who I Am record. But that was after 9-11.

9-11 had happened. and everything shifted very patriotic. And so it was different. The tone was different. And I think had that not happened, you know, who knows? So then DreamWorks, folds, becomes under the umbrella of universal. I get moved over there. I do a record there.

And it doesn't come out. We parted ways. Got dropped. so they say, or you know, you know the words, get dropped. And then years later, I signed with Disney Lyrics Street, which had a- What happened to that music, though, by the way,

on that record? What happened to it that music? That music never came out officially, although you can probably find it online. Someone got a hold of it and, you know, released it themselves. So they never put it out? Never put it out, no.

Yeah, isn't that funny? Seems like a lot of work to just not put it out. I know, and that was a fun record to make. We went down to Miami to do that album in a really cool studio, like a famous studio called Criteria. I think Missy Elliott was doing an album in the room next to mine, in the studio next to me. So yeah, it was, you know, at the time, it's like a heartbreaking.

But as over time you learn like, man, this happens to so many people. It's just like the age-old story of, you know, falling in the cracks of music business, you know, shuffling and whatnot. And for me, that just seemed it. It kept happening. I moved on to Carol Wood Records, which was like an imprint of Disney. Same thing happened there.

We made a record, really, with Jay DeMarcus from Rascal Flats. He's such a great producer. We did an album together. It was awesome. And it never saw the light of day. Yeah. That's a lot of music that people didn't get to hear.

I know, yeah. It's crazy. Thankfully, though, that album has not made it into the wrong hands. like I have an imposter person that somehow gets these unreleased songs and they'll put it out. But that album remains untouched, thankfully. So I don't know. Maybe I can get that. There's an imposter, you?

Oh my gosh, yeah. Yeah, it's kind of brutal. I've had a fan for years who just won't accept that I, you know, that I'm really not making music anymore. like not actively putting out music. And so at first, they found anything out there that they could unreleased, and they would try to find that and put it out. But then after they ran out of material, then they would just start singing themselves.

But then they'll release it under my name. So if you go on Apple Music right now, you can find all of this bogus horrible sounding stuff. the quality's bad. And I'm like, oh my gosh, people, I really hope people don't think that I'm putting out these, you know, these songs. It's just terrible.

That's so bizarre. And they, and they've booked shows. No way. They've done interviews. I've had so many, as me, I mean, social media sites. Are you you, or are you the imposter?

I know. It's, it's, they've duped so many people. That's, because I've had stalkers and I've had really crazy people and we've had, to get the FBI involved in. Oh, really?

But never, that's a whole different. I don't know how you feel with your safety, but the fact that people are impersonating you, I would say publicly, as far as like someone's acting like you, I've never heard of that before. It's really frustrating.

Do you know who it is? Oh, yeah. Have you been like, hey, cease and desist, stop, shut, and nothing? We haven't, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, we did. We did the whole thing. We found out she has a criminal history. Not surprising, usually people that are crazy,

do other crazy things. Yeah, pretty sure she knows where I live. Um, it's, it's crazy. And I'm just like, why won't you move on to someone else? That she was singing. I don't know if it's her that sings, but, but I do know that she's the mastermind that puts it all together. What about the interviews?

Same thing. I don't know. I think sometimes it's her and then sometimes it might be someone else, but I mean, she'll sign contracts. She books things. I've had people that will get in touch with me and say, you didn't show up. This is the crazy thing I heard,

Jesse. I'm going to be honest with you. I've been talking to a lot of people for a lot of times. I never, it's a crazy thing I ever heard. Like I feel bad. Like I want to punch somebody and I'm blown away at the same time that somebody would have the audacity. Not to just get on social media and scam people out of money because people will do that under my name and I'm like, if there's no blue check mark, it ain't me, you know, that happens. Right. Yeah. That's different because that's somebody in like South America that's just like grabbing anybody's trying to, the fact that they're acting like you. No, they've been committed like for years with this and nothing really faces her.

I know that it's a her. I mean, I know like all the, anything legal that you'll throw at her, she's just doesn't really care. So at this point, I don't really know what to do about it because we just kind of combat it as it, as we see it.

Like, get it down, take it down, you know. It's really big headache. Is she a fan? Yeah, that's how it started. and I believe that at the root of it, she believes that she's helping sustain my name out there. I think that's what,

I think that's her end game. Okay. You are not helping. Exactly. You are hurting. You're hurting me. I'm going to start acting like you. I'm going to find out who you are

and I'm going to put out stuff as you. Melissa? I could give you her name. Melissa, I'm going to put out stuff as Melissa. Whatever the crap of your name is, I'm going to put out that stuff. I joke, but I'm also very, very sorry to hear that because we have dealt with

unfortunate circumstances similarly and we'll move off of it, but I hate that. Like I hate that for you. As crazy as it is and I'm like, wow, I can't believe that. That sucks. Yeah, it does. That just sucks. Yeah, and mainly you just don't want people out there thinking that you

didn't show up for a show or you, you know, because she'll book things, you know, that kind of thing. I just don't, I don't like that. My fans. You own you. You own you. Nobody else owns you. Yeah. And it's like they're trying to take ownership of a part of you. Dang, I hate that.

Yeah. It's frustrating. So I was watching you sing at the Opry and you sounded. You were there that night? No, but I watched a lot of tape. Really? Well, I didn't know you were going to be there. The whole thing was, I was talking about you because Brett James was playing the song.

We were shooting for the show. I love that he does that song by the day. And everybody was going crazy. And then, again, I'd ask Tom Lord, hey, do you know her? I never met her. It's not a huge town. Never even bumped into you. And he was like, I don't.

But then he went to the opera thing and sent me a video of you. He's like, this is the weirdest thing because she's here tonight. And saw you singing. You sounded so good. Oh, thank you. So, do you still sing at all to keep your voice in shape? You know, there's things for sure, yeah, that will come up. Like, I've had friends that we do, you know, riders ride around type things.

And, yeah, for sure. Yeah, I mean, obviously, if things come up here and there, I will do it. It's not like I'm completely like that. No, because you said you've like not done. I didn't know if you just were like, I'm out. I'm not singing anymore. It is true. I mean, I have been in like mom land for the last seven years.

But no, I'm not like anti's. I'm not singing anymore. But it just, I will definitely say yes to things that, you know, like makes sense and that are fun to do and things like that. So, um, writers things that I love to do. And, um, I've done several of those. Um, and the last few. few years and it's funny. I actually try to say yes because my kids are getting to the age where I do like for them to see that side of me. I was going to ask about that because obviously they didn't

get to see that as you were doing it, but do they understand it now? How old is your oldest? My son is seven. So maybe just starting to kind of come. Yeah. Yeah, he's seen me sing and he was there that night at the Opry. So yeah, and it's important for me too because I want. You know, I want him to know, like, hey, you know, if I'm always going to be your cheerleader and telling you to go after things, you know, I also want him to see that, you know, mom has done a lot of cool stuff. And I'm not just, you know, the one making snacks all the time, you know. Is your mom still alive? Uh-huh. Yeah.

So she was able to see your success. Oh, yeah. Oh, she was with me, traveled with me, everything. Was she proud of you? Oh, my gosh, yes. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. She was amazing. She was never one of those like stage moms that, you know, try to control everything behind the scenes. And, you know, you hear so many stories of people who had success as kids and then they have some kind of falling out with their parents because of... They stole their money. Yeah, all kinds of stories like that. Never the case. So then I guess she wasn't a mom that was just living vicariously through you.

She was in a way, like, because she just was enjoying it all and loved it. dominating her. Not at all. That's really cool and rare for a parent of a child that gets really successful. I know, yeah. It is because that can,

boy, that can really end lots of divorces happen because of it. And I will tell you, like that could not have been easy because we were traveling so much and my dad, but he would come, you know, as much as he could.

But there were times when he had to hold it down and, you know, have a job. and we weren't making money in the beginning. And so that had to have been so hard, you know, to keep a marriage together, my oldest, you know, my older sister. And so, but yeah, they, we came through it.

And, and there weren't easy, like, it wasn't always super easy. But yeah, they were the best as far as support and just loving the opportunities that we were given, you know. We knew that this was a ride of a lifetime. I have a very close friend whose daughter is doing music. His daughter's about the age

that you were when you were starting music. And he's a great dad and she's a great kid. And she played at the Ryman with me a few weeks ago, I guess. She's so good, right? And we're in the land of giants,

but she's so good. She's such a great songwriter. Wow. But she's a kid. How old? They're 12, 13? Yeah, that's a kid. That's a kid.

To me, it's like a baby. Yeah, but it's so, weird that she's a kid, but then when she's on stage, there's something that just isn't a young child. It's like she has, she's more mature on stage than I would ever be doing it 100 more years. Yeah. Like there's just something in her. That is what, that is, you asked me that earlier.

That is something that people used to say about me. They would never guess I was that young when I was on stage doing, you know, singing. There's an irrational confidence that she has. I told her, like I told her during sound check, I was like, you shouldn't be as confident. Right, yeah. Like you should because you're that good, but you're young. You know what it is?

Yeah. They don't, kids don't get in their head. They're not overthinking. They're not worrying about, okay, who's watching me, what I needed to, you know what I mean? Like, adults do. We care too much about all of the other stuff. Kids just get up there and do it, you know?

It's fun. They know, you know, hey, I can do this, so I'm going to do it. So there's not a lot of overthinking for them. And that's what, it just comes, it's so effortless in that way. What advice would you give a kid if they were like, hey, I'm 12, I'm, you got to, because she's got like big managers now, like all just, but also what advice would you give the parents, like two different sets of advice? So talk to the kid first because you were the kid in that.

Like, what would you say to them? Well, I would, I would say first, have so much fun with it. Because while it is a business and it can get really crazy and, hectic, you can lose sight of that sometimes. You can easily forget in the exhaustion and the schedule and all of that. You can forget about the part of, I'm a kid, so I need to be making sure I'm enjoying this. And for the parents as well, make sure of that, you know. Make sure the kids enjoying it. Make sure that you can whatever, however crazy and hectic it can get, you know, try to make it fun. And then also is, I mean, who you surround yourself with is so important, too.

Like, if you've got really great people around you, I mean, that is a game changer, I feel like. And I was so blessed to have the best. I mean, I think, you know, Byron Gallimor and Scott Rischetta and Jimmy Harnon, I mean, Scott Simon was my manager, who's still to this day, Tim McGrath's manager. you if you really and I always felt like I had good instincts about people even as kid yeah

and I think my parents did too and so I think that's important if you are if you got a good good instinct about people and who this person this kid is it a girl you said girl yeah yeah who you need to work with and that's that's crucial

I think what about the parent what would you tell the parent well since they are the parent I mean they're going to be instrumental in who surrounds her. And that's just important. I mean, that's so, it matters. I mean, not just on a level of that's a child, but just someone that, like I said, they always respected my opinions, including her in the mix, you know, not just everybody making decisions. You know, make sure she feels a part of it, you know, even though they're so young. She's so young. I mean,

she's baby. The Bobbycast, we'll be right back. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football,

or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.

One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. There's two golden rules that any man should live by. Rule one, never mess with a country girl. You play stupid games,

you get stupid prizes. And rule two, never mess with her friends either. We always say that trust your girlfriends. I'm Anna Sinnfield. And in this new season of the girlfriends, oh my God, this is the same man.

A group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist. I felt like I got hit by a truck. I thought, how could this happen to me? The cops didn't seem to care. So they take matters into their own hands. I said, oh, hell no. I vowed. I will be his last target. He's going to get what he deserves.

Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe. On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Igor, my neck. guest, you know from Step Brothers Anchorman, Saturday Night Live, and the Big Money Players Network, it's Will Ferrell. Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo. My dad gave me the best advice ever.

I went and had lunch with them one day, and I was like, and dad, I think I want to really give this a shot. I don't know what that means, but I just know the groundlings. I'm working my way up through, and I know it's a place that come look for up and coming talent. He said, if it was based solely on talent, I wouldn't worry about you, which is really, really sweet. He goes, but there's so much luck involved. And he's like, just give it a shot. He goes, but if you ever reach a point where you're banging your head against the wall and it doesn't feel

fun anymore, it's okay to quit. If you saw it written down, it would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat. Just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right. It wouldn't be There's a lot in luck. Listen to Thanks, Dad, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is the Bobbycast. Was there ever an imbalance because you start to have success and get famous? And your mom, was your mom before you started? Your mom is still your mom, but now you're kind of famous.

Did the balance ever change where you're like, but you're also like a teenager and you're already questioning what your parents do anyway. It's such a weird. I had such a not. Like, nothing was normal with my. It's funny. My husband now, I met him when I just turned 18. He's a songwriter too.

And I just turned 18 when I met him. And we joked about it then, and we still joke about it, about how nothing about my teenage years were normal. He went to college. You did it, da, da. I didn't. I didn't go to high school. None of that.

And so I think years later, I started to unpack a lot of that, you know. about just how non-typical everything was for me, but it felt normal. I didn't know anything different. So I guess it's just relative to what you know, and that's all that I knew. But there was never any kind of imbalance with my family, nothing like that, probably because they,

I had people that took care of things. I had a business manager, a manager, No, they weren't ever involved in that. They were just parents. And, you know, I will say that that was important to me, that they just remained parents. That was it. And I would say the same thing for the young girl, you know, make sure your parents are just your parents. They let them just lovingly adore and admire.

And so that all those other things don't get blurred. Do you know what I mean? All the business stuff. Sure. Yeah. Because it can. Yeah, mine gets blurry now. I'm an adult.

Yeah. I mean, I can't, I would never, ever want to blur those lines, you know, I, I wouldn't want my parent to manage me or I just, yeah. If you're your kid in five years, like, I want to go do music. You did. Oh, oh, that would be great. I would, that would be encouraging. It's not like I would be like, no. The seven-year-old's a boy, right?

Does he like to sing? He's an amazing drummer. He's very, he can sing, which is funny. Because he has it from both sides. Yeah. You and his dad. Yeah. So he's drawn to the drums.

Yeah, he's great. He's really, really good. And he actually can sing too. But, you know, he's just, he's going through like a little shy thing right now. Very similar to how I was at that age. When you were seven, though, were you singing, though, at all? I know with your mom, but...

Like around the house. I was loud and all of that. But the minute you would put me on the spot to do it, then I would clam up and want to hide. You know, but... Did you ever come into, like, a windfall, money? No, it was like a gradual thing. And with who I am, I mean, still to this day, I'm like, gosh, I didn't write that. I wish I did. Because I know, you know, those Brett and Troy still see,

you know, good money from that song. No, it was, it was never like a, oh, you know, cash is flowing now. It was, it was gradual. I mean, I did a good tour one year that was really successful and great. Are you ever somewhere and people are singing it? Like, either a karaoke place, because I heard people sing it, or at the grocery store and it's playing over the top of you? Yeah, that's happened for sure. But I would say lately, it's had a few little TikTok viral moments. I think a few years ago it did, and then literally just like a month ago, I started getting all these videos and tags from like people. And I'm like, oh my gosh, you know, it's having a little moment again. And it's so funny. I'm not really on TikTok. Um,

by choice just because I probably I would just become too addicted to it but it's on there and I see all the videos and it's crazy my son you know like he gets to I think that's that he gets a kick out of that. Did anybody ever sing it on the shows like the voice

or yeah because I was on American Idol for a bunch of years but I feel like it was saying by like in the auditions by people. Daniel Bradbury really on the voice did that song on the voice. That's pretty cool. Yes, she did an amazing job. And then she went on to actually sign with Scott Warshetta,

which is kind of funny. But yeah, that song's done. I'm telling you, that song is just, it's going to continue to have a life, I think, as newer generations, you know, hear it. Do you get tired of singing it? One of those timeless songs. No, I don't because, you know,

You'll figure out ways to sing it and make it, you know, like I did at the Opry. I kind of slowed it down and it probably didn't sound very much like how the recording does. But, you know, you kind of reinvent. Well, Counting Crows, I was watching them sing yesterday. It's my favorite band. Wait, who is it? Counting Cruz. He sings them different the whole time.

And I love them. But it's like, man, it's hard to sing along. I heard yours. I know I can sing along with yours. The tempo was just slowed down. But he would like sing Mr. Jones. I'd be like, Mr. Jones me. Oh.

It's like, dude, that's nothing like the one. How am I going to sing along to that? Right. Oh, so he's making it a point to like it not be a sing-along type song. Yeah, I think he's saying like 10,000 times and he's just kind of like, man, I can't do it again. That's exactly what that is. Do, if you sing the song, it's so branded to you. And I think I try to put myself in shoes of somebody who had something that was so, they were known for.

Did you ever have a bad relationship with it for a while afterward? Or was it always positive? You know what I think about that is in recent years, I think that people don't really know, they haven't made the connection with who sings that song because of social media. Social media wasn't around when the song was a hit. And so now these days, I feel like it's,

they know the song, you know, but they're like, oh, I did not realize it was so-and-so. have to kind of do a little bit of digging or connect the dots somehow. And then figure it out that way. But I think that's just a time thing because social media. Well, you were like 22 or 23 and you were like just kind of over it for a minute? No. I don't think so.

No. I've never felt that way about that song. It's just, it's such a great song. When you have a song that connects with people and it continues to do that, I think I just always knew and felt lucky to have had a song like that. Your husband now, I was reading about him, but he's still active in the industry. Kind of, yeah, kind of. I mean, he's kind of in the same boat as me as far as like when we have kids, your world, kind of.

Does he write still? Yeah, he does write. He's not actively writing for a publisher, but he does write. I mean, he's a writer. Any writer will probably tell you that you're all. creative is always creating you regardless. So that's him basically, yes. Do you guys ever?

He wants to though. He really does want to get back and like right, right. What about you? Do you want to get back? I think, well, I mean, not right. Just you just want to get back and sing more, do more shows, be more, I don't know, what do you want? Because obviously you love being a mom. I do.

That's a really great question. And that's one, I ask myself a lot. I really do. because I think that probably for every woman who has kids and becomes a mom is going to probably wrestle with that a little bit. You know, men don't really have to think of it in that same way. But, you know, there's just a lot more thought that goes behind if I would ever really want to. I'm always going to sing.

But if I ever wanted to, like, jump back into, like, doing it as a, you know, get back in the game. kind of thing. I don't know because I just, there's a lot to consider and think about when you're raising babies. You know, and I think about when I was 15 and when I went out on tour, my first tour was Faith Hill. And she was probably in her early 30s. And she was raising babies too, man. On that tour, she had two little ones, I mean little the whole time on the road. So, you know, I know it's, like, possible and people do it. You know, you do what you got to do. I guess it's just a bigger question for me is if, what kind of balance would I want to, you know,

you have to strike a balance somehow and how can you do that? I think I wrestle with that. I'll be honest. I mean, I don't know what the real answer for that is. You know, it would have to be something that some bigger thing would need to give me the answer to that, you know? Something would have to feel great, feel right. But I'm always going to sing. You know, it's, we'll just, we'll see how things align.

How was fatal toward you? She was so awesome. She was like a big sister. I mean, she gave me clothes, took me out on tour, really just told me, like, whatever, whatever I can do, you know, to help. And she did. I mean, she was really great. And her and Timbo, they were just, they were, they were, they've done that for a lot.

lot of people. I think Taylor Swift would in the beginning of Taylor's career too. She said the same thing. Faith just would always say that Reba did the same thing for her when she was getting started. So I think she just felt that, you know, that's what you do. When there's up-and-coming artists, you just kind of, you have to show them that same, you know, support. Well, this has been really awesome for me. I'm so happy you came and sat. And again, it was all just kind of random. And I was like, man, it would be really cool. It really is, yeah. And then it went from really cool to like, wow, that's twice on like 26 hours.

That's one of those things where things align a line. And, you know, I really appreciate you coming over and just sitting and talking to them. I've enjoyed this so much. I'm so glad you asked. What did you think about during this that maybe you haven't thought about in a while? Because that will happen with me sometimes if someone's talking about something. I'm like, oh, I kind of forgot about that. Because, you know, I talked about early records and some Byron and stuff.

Anything come to mind? You're like, you know, I haven't really thought about that in a long time. Well, a lot. I mean, you know, it's funny. I mean, I think the Scott thing is funny because when I was asked to do that a month ago, it was just a month ago. I mean, everyone knows the career that he's had

because of, you know, signing the biggest artist on the planet. But I think when I was singing that song and talking about him on stage a little bit, it just got me thinking like, whoa this is crazy you know like he he he went on to to sign another young female you know and people have asked me that a few times they're like oh my gosh how did that make you feel you know to know to know that he left and then went on to do something and it's never i mean i understood he i got the pick the big picture i mean i hate the circumstances of you know falling through the cracks

and albums getting shelved and things like that but I never really had thought about it all that much until I was on that stage like oh my gosh you know and it's funny I had run into him I didn't tell this story when I was honoring him I wouldn't have done that but like one year at the CMAs backstage I ran into him on the red carpet and he was he gave me a hug

and I think Taylor had her fearless album was just getting ready to come out and he came up and gave me a hug he's like, oh my gosh, great to see you. And I can't remember exactly what we said, but he, I feel like he kind of was, I don't want to say he was apologizing, but he said, you know,

yeah, you know, I feel great that I got to, you know, start up my own thing. He goes, I got to do everything with Taylor that I never got to do with you. And I was like, oh, ow, you know, like, you know, but I think that was his way of saying that he got the creative control. he always wanted, you know, and to do his own thing.

And he had all those big ideas with me, but... That's what I felt like to me when you said that they felt like he, that you had the situation been a bit different, that could have been you, because you had the talent to also do that with him. I think Scott wished he was at the helm, you know, of DreamWorks, so that he really could have, you know, made all the decisions. I think that was ultimately what he was saying was, and that's how it came out when he said,

I got to do all these things with her that I never got to do with you. Because he thinks he could have done it with you because of what he saw in you and what you did while you were with him. Yeah. Because he was a big champion of mine. So yeah, I thought of, you know, that story did play in my mind when I was up there talking about him. I was like, wow. But, you know, we had a moment, you know. And when I said my little thing about that we had, we had one, you know, one hit.

I said, I'm all right all these years later saying I was a one hit wonder, you know. I think it's, you know, I don't, I don't, that doesn't hold any kind of like stigma for me. Like, I think it's great. I'm honored that I had like an amazing song that is finding new audiences still to this day. So I kind of, I kind of own that a little bit, you know, like nobody knows what the future holds, you know. You never know. But for a, for a moment, you know, that was for me, like my one hit. So, but it was just an honor that we got to do that together.

and we did some good stuff. Well, thank you so much for being here. Thank you. And I would do like, hey, follow, but you know what, you're smart. Your Instagram's private. What's that? Your Instagram's private.

You're smart. Yeah, is it, yeah, it is private. Yeah, so it doesn't matter. That's the thing with me, too, is I kind of, like, secluded myself because of all that craziness. I did. I'm like, I'm hiding everything.

I don't want to share anything because I don't want them getting a hold of it. Yeah, it's crazy. That's crazy. I know. We had to, yeah, we had the FBI. It was the whole situation. Oh my God.

I had to kill him. No, I'm kidding. All right, and that we're going to go. Jessica, thank you. Thank you. Thanks for listening to a Bobbycast production. A win is a win. A win.

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excited. to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. When a group of women discover they've all dated the same prolific con artist,

they take matters into their own hands. I vowed. I will be his last target. He is not going to get away with this. He's going to get what he deserves. We always say that trust your girlfriends. Listen to the girlfriends. Trust me, babe. On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

This week on the Sports Slice podcast, it's all about the NFL draft. And we've got a special guest. The director of the NFL's East West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galco, joins the Sports Slice podcast to break down what really matters when evaluating draft prospects. From hidden traits teams look for to the biggest mistakes franchises make to the players flying under the radar, this is the insight you won't hear anywhere else. If you want to understand the draft like an insider, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen to the Sports Slice Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 and TikTok podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.