Jo Dee Messina is an award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist that has given her heart and soul to find success. She's had 9 #1 singles, has been honored by The Country Music Association, The Academy of Country Music and The Grammy Awards and was the first female country artist to score three multiple-week #1 songs from the same album. But success aside, Jo Dee has faced more than her fair share of adversity. She's battled some demons along the way and experienced the twists and turns that define all of our lives. If anything these life experiences have re-invigorated her and given her a new perspective, which in turn has produced, in her words, her truest recording to date.

Delicious Surprise is Jo Dee's 4th studio album. It is that rare recording that captures the true essence of an artist's soul. You see, rather then talk about what has occurred in her life, Jo Dee has chosen to sing about it. She's put together a group of songs that come from her heart, a group of songs that are meant to convey a musical message of optimism, strength and hope. As the songs say, while life's experiences may be hard, it's those experiences that make us who we are and make life worth living.

Born in Holliston, Massachusetts, Jo Dee was first attracted to country music after hearing the recordings of Alabama and Hank Williams, Jr. As for her love for country music, it grew as fast as her respect for its heroes. Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, the strong women of country, that wrote and sang from the heart, and Reba McEntire, the hard-working, blue-collar girl whom Jo Dee related to best. At six, Jo Dee had her first public performance and from there on she was hooked. Thirteen brought a band that she had formed and more experience performing throughout clubs in the Northeast. Jo Dee did what she had to, to perform - booking and marketing her own shows, lugging gear and keeping the books. At 19, she made the difficult decision to move to Nashville. She didn't know a soul, had no grand plan, but what she did know, was that she wanted to sing. It was there that Jo Dee would lay down roots and chase her dream.

And that sentiment is what you get from the opening bars of Delicious Surprise. "I'm Not Going Down," (Shaunna Bolton/ Kevin Savigar) the album's first track, is as defiant and energetic as Jo Dee herself. It is an appropriate place to start, again for Jo Dee, because no doubt she will continue to carry that intensity wherever she goes. Make no mistake, Jo Dee Messina is here to stay and despite all that she has been through she stands strong and defiant, with a clear sense of her purpose and passion. Life is good for Jo Dee, but don't ask her about it, listen.