July 8.2014 – Story Behind "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews
Hear the story here! http://robynnscorner.949starcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SBTS070814-Jessica-Andrews-Who-I-Am.mp3
This has been one of my favorite songs since it was released in 2001. At the time, I worked for a radio station in Lynchburg
and Jessica came to town to perform an acoustic set for us at Gatsby's, that used to be on Lakeside Drive. We had a good many country stars stop through there over the years!
For being so young, she was 17 at that time, Jessica was so poised and mature and I remember being impressed by that.
Someone brought a picture of Jessica, she was very young in the photo. It had been taken just off the set of a Billy
Ray Cyrus video shoot! It was pretty cool.
I know I certainly had no idea that "Who I Am" would go on to become the enduring and endearing hit it has become
all these years.
I know I connect to it personally and obviously countless other's do as well.
That's just my two cents on today's song. I hope you enjoy it! ~Robynn
The Brett James and Troy Verges penned song was recorded by the Huntingdon, Tennessee born Country singer Jessica Andrews. It was released as the first single from her album of the same name and became her biggest hit topping the country charts for three weeks as well as peaking at #28 on the Hot 100.
This was the first #1 single for both Troy Verges and Brett James. "Brett was living in Oklahoma at the time, going to medical school," Verges recalled to Roughstock: "Neither one of us had any cuts or any singles that we could speak of, but we were writing stuff that we loved. I went out there four or five days at a time and wrote in-between Brett's classes. Then I would come back to Nashville and demo the songs. That song was one of the first or second trips. We wrote it in-between him going to classes. In that same day, we wrote another song called 'Telluride' that Tim McGraw cut and one more song that got cut in the same little week."
"We were literally writing in his parents' kitchen," Verges continued with a smile. "He was going to study whatever he was studying — emergency medicine — right before and right after we wrote. Once we had our idea mapped out, the rest of the songs and lyrics just came pouring out of us that day."
"This song is real special to the both of us… And I'm glad Brett is not a doctor," Verges added with a laugh. "He is a much better songwriter than I think he would've been a doctor [laughs]!"
Jessica explained that she recorded the song because she felt that its lyrics were especially fitting to her own life: "Everything is so true in that song, except that my grandmother's name is not Rosemary. It's about believing in yourself and being supported by those around you. No matter how many mistakes you make, your friends and family will be there for you."
Who I Am went to number one on April 7.2001 and stayed there for 3 consecutive weeks.
The song was covered by Danielle Bradbery on NBC's The Voice in 2013. Her version landed at #78 on the Hot 100 after the Texan teenager sung it in the semi-finals.
This was used as the theme song for the Pax Network police drama Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, which was about a deaf FBI officer who lands a position in an FBI Surveillance team, thanks to her lip reading talents.
Lyrics written by Brett James and Troy Vergas
If I live to be a hundred
And never see the seven wonders
That'll be alright
If I don't make it to the big leagues
If I never win a Grammy
I'm gonna be just fine
Cause I know exactly who I am
I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me
And they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am
So when I make a big mistake
And when I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowing
I will be just fine
Cause nothing changes who I am
I'm a saint and I'm a sinner
I'm a loser; I'm a winner
I am steady and unstable
I'm young, but I am able
And they know where I stand
That's who I am
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3 thoughts on "July 8.2014 – Story Behind "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews"
Barbara Schossau
Jessica do you remember when DREAMWORKS brought you to Muskegon Michigan to promote your records was that about 8 yrs ago ! I see you are married hope you are doing well and your new husband is from Michigan? would love to have you back at the Port City Victorian Inn
Your Fan Barbara
Your Fan Barbara Schossau
1259 Lakeshore Dr
http://www.portcityinn.com