Veeder delivers honest performances

At only 23 years old, Jessie Veeder has already established herself as an accomplished and professional musician with years of experience performing, songwriting and recording. Her talent has taken Jessie from playing at fairs, music festivals and concerts around the state of North Dakota, to touring the country for a college talent booking agency out of Hendersonville, TN. In addition, Jessie has released two full length, original albums--the latest with Barking Dog Records of Fargo, ND--all while finishing high school and obtaining a college degree.

Armed only with her love for words and an old guitar handed down to her from her father, at the age of twelve Jessie began penning original compositions with a sound that has been described as progressive, alternative and folk. "The isolation of growing up on a working ranch in Western North Dakota allowed me the freedom and space to develop creatively," Jessie says of her songwriting.

At only 16 years old Jessie released her first original album,"This Road," and at a young age proved herself not only as an accomplished and talented performer, but as a gifted poet and songwriter as well. Audiences were captivated by her honest compositions about the ranching lifestyle and her midwestern surroundings. Her first release quickly sold over 1500 copies. Jessie penned "Up Here" with tongue planted firmly in cheek, describing the harsh reality of western living. "We are the cowboy, beaten hat and leather skin. The slave with dirt caked faces."

A seasoned performer, Jessie enjoyed growing attention from music fans in the region after opening for country music acts The Wilkensons and Dan Seals. Jessie was also selected to open for Bobby Vee as one of North Dakota's most promising new entertainers. She has also shared the stage with fellow Midwestern artist Celeste Krenz and national recording artist Keri Noble. A summer performance at the People's Pint in Massachusetts received outstanding reviews, verifying Jessie's appeal outside the Midwest.

The release of her first album and her crowd pleasing performances have taken Jessie across the country, touring major colleges and coffeehouse venues from Minnesota, to Idaho, to Massachusetts with Wally's World of Entertainment, a talent booking agency out of Hendersonville, TN. With a blend of story telling and crowd interaction, Jessie performs original compositions as well as music from a variety of songwriters and artists such as Patty Griffin, Lyle Lovett, Jewel, Bruce Springsteen and even Elvis.

Jessie recently finished recording an original album, "A Place to Belong,"with Barking Dog Records of Fargo, ND. Her recent compositions echo with expressions about leaving home, decisions, transformations and the people that surround her.

In "Waiting for Hollywood," Jessie writes about finding inspiration within herself and her surroundings. "What I've learned was found between the ages and the trees. I didn't read it or dream it up- those memories have called my bluff."

In addition to studio work and performances, Jessie has been called upon to utilize her education in communication, English and creative writing by leading poetry and songwriting workshops. Sharing her unique techniques for lyric and musical composition has allowed Jessie to interact with and contribute to a variety of university communities. "I love seeing different campuses and getting to know students and faculty who are enthusiastic and appreciative of music," she says of her university experiences.

Jessie's music reveals that, although education and music have taken her away from the buttes of the badlands and the close-knit community of home, Jessie has not forgotten where she came from. Whether in a small coffeehouse setting or a jam with a full band, Jessie's performances deliver honest, relatable, personal experiences. Listeners leave her show knowing exactly who Jessie is--and love her for it.