Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessee Lee.
So, before we jump into specific questions about your music, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Music began in my life before I was born. My great grandfather, grandfather, and father were all musicians but my Dad, David Lee, was the first one in the family to make music a full-time career. He moved to Nashville and began a successful songwriting career, therefore, I grew up hanging out in studios, going to award shows, and being around the most successful, brilliant songwriters in country music. It had an incredible impact on how I see music. Music is now a part of my being—it is what makes up my soul & how I communicate with the world. Although it’s always been a large part of my heart, I didn’t know if I wanted to pursue music as a career until about a year ago. I saw the struggles, uncertainty, and the highs & lows of the music business—I wanted something more certain. I was sick of the business before I was even 15 years old because it seemed like a selfish lifestyle to me. As a musician, the spotlight is always on you, you’re always hearing your name, and you are constantly focusing on how to make yourself better. I told my friends & family that although I loved music, I wanted to do something to help people.
After high school, I went off to college to pursue a degree in Nursing so I could enter the Navy. I thought military nursing would make me more focused—maybe less clumsy & forgetful. It would be stable & I would have benefits. A year and a half into college, I found myself drifting off in class thinking of lyrics. I would doodle songs while everybody else did the test review. Then, one day looking in the mirror, I said to myself “What are you doing? You’re an artist.” I called my mother crying and told her I just want to sing & write. I said, “I don’t care if it never makes me rich, I just want to be happy.” I struggled because I wanted to help people too, I just didn’t want to be a selfish musician. Now, a couple of years later, I realize how much music actually saves people—it doesn’t have to always be a selfish life.
For six months after this realization, I dropped out of college & waited tables waiting on my apartment lease to end so I could move. I wrote songs & threw myself into my music mind. When I moved back to Spring Branch, TX, I completely had the ability to start my own independent music business. Now, I am happy to say I am a full-time musician & I am getting ready to release my first CD—I found my happy.
Has it been a smooth road?
Music can be rough because nothing is certain. I’ve played shows where there were 3 people in the audience and shows where there are a couple hundred. I have made $25 for a 3-hour gig before and then been paid $1000 for an hour the next day. Stability is a struggle.
Some crowds talk louder than others. Some people do not want to hear original songs because they want to be able to sing along.
Some bars promise you a certain pay then after the gig, they want to back out because their “drink sales weren’t high enough”.
So yeah, there are a lot of struggles but at the end of the day, it’s no different than any other job. Every job has it’s struggling, I’m just blessed that at least, it’s my passion, even when it’s hard.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others.
I am a singer/songwriter/performer.
I specialize in writing songs that are off-centered, repurposing old songs people haven’t heard since the ’50s, and blending jazz & country.
I am most proud of getting to play Luckenbach Dancehall, Gruene Hall & John T. Floore’s Country Store in the first year of my Texas music career. I ALWAYS wanted to play both venues when I was younger & now I get to check that off the bucket list. I received a sponsorship from a boutique called Petticoat Junction which was really exciting. I think my sound, my style, and my writing capabilities set me apart from other artists.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love playing in Dallas because all of my family lives there and in Mesquite, so everybody shows up at the shows & it becomes a party! The Rustic is one of my favorite venues to play there.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 830-388-1878
- Email: jesseellee@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesseeleemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessleemusic/
Image Credit:
Jonathan Ivan, Rae Trent, Maggie Trent, MJR images
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