MY INTERVIEW WITH: STEPHANIE URBINA JONES

Stephanie Urbina Jones grew up in Texas and has been influenced by musicians from both sides of the border. Her new album, The Texicana Sessions was just released and I caught up with Jones who called in from Nashville (she splits her time between music city and San Antonio) to discuss her musical journey and her latest project.

IAATM: For people that may not be familiar with your music, how would you describe it?
SUJ: Tex-Mex American country with Latin influences.

IAATM: You were born in San Antonio, but you have a connection to Mexico right?
SUJ: Correct, my great grandfather came to the United States in 1901. When I was really trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my career a few years ago, that's what was really compelling to me- that immigrant story coming across the border.

IAATM: Was music a big part of your childhood?
SUJ: Yes, during the early years growing up on the west side of San Antonio, I was exposed to the mariachi's and sounds from the border, but that was also the time of the outlaws- Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. We went two stepping and to honky tonks, that's what my parents did. At three, four, five years old I was going with them. And on Sundays different pickers and songwriters would gather around campfires telling their stories with guitars.

IAATM: I read that Carole King was a big influence, I'm excited to see her in a few weeks, did she inspire you to become a songwriter?
SUJ: She really did. My dad was in Vietnam and he sent me the Tapestry album, I guess I must have been four years old. I just remember it was a time when my parents had split and I missed my father and I just remember having a very strong experience and would spin "You Got A Friend" and remember being comforted by it. When I turned 18 and when I was looking for what I wanted to do, I knew whether I was an artist or a songwriter, I wanted to be involved with music because it's such a powerful medium.

IAATM: You moved to Nashville and landed a publishing deal with Sony music. The songwriting environment in Nashville is like no other, did that climate help you hone your skills?
SUJ: Absolutely. One of my first songwriting sessions that I got to do was with a guy named Mark Allan Springer and that year he was the BMI's (Broadcast Music, Inc) Songwriter Of The Year. I got into situations where I got to write with some of the absolutely best writers during their time, I was very fortunate and I love, love, love writing. It's a spiritual, mythical experience for me.

IAATM: You penned hits for artists like Lorrie Morgan, but when did you decide you wanted to focus on your own singing career and record an album?
SUJ: Honestly, everything for me has been part of an evolution, the next right thing. I started singing in high school and in a band in college, but I just didn't have the confidence at the time to do that, as an artist. Then a few years later when I was a professional writer, I started singing my own demo's and then people hired me to sing their demo's. Then that itch, I just kept seeing myself singing and I just stepped into that experience.

IAATM: How does the new album, The Texicana Sessions differ from your self-titled debut?
SUJ: It really hones in on my Mexican/American heritage. There were elements of that in the first album, but on this one I just feel that it really takes a strong turn into that experience. Feels like my childhood and my experience growing up in Texas, it's fun.

IAATM: There were several years between albums, did you spend that whole time writing?
SUJ: I was constantly writing. The last few years were challenging and a growing experience. When I put this collection of songs together and take it to the stage it's going to be fun.

IAATM: The thing that strikes me about The Texicana Sessions is how diverse it is, in instrumentation and vocal style. Was the diversity something that you knew you wanted going into the project or did it just develop in the studio?
SUJ: No, this was a collection of sessions that I put together over the last few years. I had my daughter, I had a record deal in there, then I went through a divorce, lost some people in my life so I was constantly writing and going in and recording. Some where recorded two at a time and three at a time and pieced together. Done different than any other album I've done before, in that it was put together as a collection of songs that I loved and wanted to perform. The audience kept asking where these songs were. It just all came together and I loved it.

IAATM: What do you hope people take away from The Texicana Sessions?
SUJ: I hope it makes them feel all kinds of emotions. I hope they laugh, I hope they are touched by songs like "Canta Me" and "Choose To Believe." I hope they are left with a smile, a good experience, like a good meal. I hope they want to know me more and that we get another opportunity to experience each other, to connect.

IAATM: Thank you Stephanie and good luck with the new album.
SUJ: Thank you.

To learn more about Stephanie Urbina Jones, please visit her website at:
http://www.stephanieurbinajones.com/