Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10, 1980) is an American singer, actress, and television personality who rose to fame in the late 1990sSinging, television and film star Jessica Simpson, a Texas native who is close friends with Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton, hasn't let the mixed reaction to her foray into country music shake her faith in herself.
Simpson, who opens for Rascal Flatts on Thursday in the West Valley, is thrilled that her first country album, "Do You Know," topped the country charts and that she has finally found what she calls her natural voice as a singer and songwriter.
She has hit some bumps in the six months since the CD's release, including a shaky performance last month in Michigan, less-than-massive airplay for her second and third singles, tabloid coverage of her romance with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and, most recently, her weight.
But the latest concert reviews indicate Simpson, who has recorded two million-selling pop discs, is gaining confidence in performing before an audience that views her with skepticism.
"It's important for country fans to know that I'm not just trying to come in and take their money for a CD," says Simpson, 28. "I wanted to prove that I'm doing something straight from the heart."
Simpson, who grew up hearing country classics everywhere in her home state, spent four months in Nashville with some of the city's top songsmiths, writing and recording "Do You Know," which also reached No. 4 on the pop charts.
Despite criticism in some quarters that "Do You Know" is too pop-flavored, the album fits in with the sounds of such other young contemporary female artists as Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler.
The album's debut single, "Come on Over," is a rootsy country-rocker that showcases Simpson's sexy vocals and Lone Star State accent.
Ray Massie, program director for Valley country powerhouse KNIX-FM (102.5), says the song launched Simpson's country career in a solid way.
"We played it a lot, and we had some pretty good response," Massie says. "I thought it was a good song for her that lived up to what she is capable of doing vocally."
Massie says reaction has been mixed as Simpson has released two follow-up singles to "Come on Over" - the abused-woman ballad "Remember That" and the spiritually themed "Pray Out Loud."
"The stuff has not been bad," he says. "I think people are just hesitant to take a chance (on Simpson), and that's unfortunate."
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