Meet Jesseca Toovey | Singer/Songwriter & Independent Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesseca Toovey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesseca, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
This is such a great question and I have learned so many lessons along this journey and still have so many to learn. The most important lesson I have learned as an Independent Artist and songwriter is humility. I have been in rooms and settings with what we would call “famous people” and in rooms/settings with people who have never written a song before and are “new” to the music industry. No matter who I find myself around I have learned that a humble heart always opens the right doors and sets a good atmosphere for creative juices to flow. There’s nothing worse than being in a room with someone who thinks they know it all. It’s frustrating, intimidating, and very unpleasant. One thing I learned years ago is that no matter if someone is more skilled or less skilled, more knowledgeable or less knowledgeable, over me or under me, I can still learn something from them. As humans we are always learning, developing, and advancing and what better way to do that, then to put yourself in a position to learn from all types of people regardless of your opinion of them! I have learned some of the most important lessons in my life from the least unexpected people in my life, and for that I am forever grateful!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a singer/songwriter and independent artist but above all of those things, I am a worshipper. I believe we are all created with gifts and abilities that no one else possesses. The gifts you possess are different from the gifts I possess but they are all needed! That’s what makes this world so unique. I believe God gave me a voice and a sound that is unique to only me and that simply in and of itself sets me apart. I don’t say that with arrogance but with humility. We truly are all gifted differently and that sets us apart from others. What we choose to do with those gifts is up to us!

I am where I am today because of the grace and mercy of God, the tenacity of my personality, and the drive to achieve my dreams. Do I have to write songs or sing them, no! But I get the honor of using the gifts God has given me to minister and equip myself and others around me. To give hope, healing, and freedom through the songs I write, and to give all the honor and glory to God because he is truly deserving of it. If we only used our gifts and talents for ourselves, just imagine what our world would be like. It would be boring, but because people have shared their gifts and talents we get to enjoy all kinds of things like art, amusement parks, buildings, movies, music, and so much more!

I have always loved music. From the time I was a little girl, I was humming and singing my way through life. We all know that music is good for the soul and it has a way of calming our fears, making our body move, and lifting our spirits. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t listen to music. It truly is an avenue with which we express ourselves as individuals. I definitely do that. I have sang my way through some of the hardest times in my life. I have written songs about the different seasons in my life. It’s life’s experiences that give us something to glean from. But even for those who don’t write music and can’t sing, music still has a way of bringing healing, freedom, and peace. It’s also a great way to express ourselves. We all sing along to our favorite songs, dance our way into the night, and hum sweet melodies to our children. If you don’t think music is important, just think of a movie, think of the music that’s in the movie and how it sets the tone for the scene. Could you imagine the sound of music playing in the background of a Mission Impossible movie, haha!! No. It would be totally out of place and it would confuse the watchers, right?? Music sets a tone in our lives and what we listen to is vitally important. I write and listen to music that uplifts the spirit, brings peace to the soul, and challenges me to be a better person.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Now, I am not a local to Nashville but I have spent enough time there to know where my favorite places are in the city, must eat at restaurants, and more! Nashville is a city like none other and it’s one of my favorite places! With the title Music City, anyone who comes to visit surely is coming to visit for some sort of music. Here are the must see places, must eat restaurants, and must do things while in Nashville!

Downtown Nashville- Broadway Street! With tons of restaurants, shops, live music and more, spending some time downtown is a must! You will get a true Nashville feel being downtown.

Monell’s Restaurant- If your looking for a meal that feels like your at home, Monell’s is the place. With amazing fried chicken and sides you will not be disappointed. Oh, and come expecting to get to know people because your likely to be sitting at a table with people you don’t know! That sounds weird but I got to share a meal with people I’d never met and it was so fun! It was great to get out of my comfort zone and enjoy being with others!

1819 Coffee- Outside Nashville in Thompson Station, this is my favorite coffee shop! With it’s home feel and cute building, to it’s delicious coffee and treats, 1819 coffee is a must do when I’m in the area!

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum- Whether you like country music or not this museum is a must see for everyone! Truly fun for the whole family!

There are so many great and fun places to explore and these are just a few! If you haven’t been to Nashville, don’t delay! You need to visit. And while your there, make sure to visit Franklin also. Franklin is also one of my favorite cities to explore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my mom! In previous articles I spoken of my parents and how they have been an instrumental part of my journey in songwriting and as an independent artist. This time I’ll focus on my mom.

I would not be the woman I am today without my mom. I won’t go into detail about my moms background and upbringing, but if I did, none of you would believe what my mom has been through and survived. She is the strongest most courageous person I know. Was it easy, I’m sure it wasn’t but I believe she would say it was worth it because the life that she lives know is one full of grace, forgiveness, and peace. She has forgiven the unforgiveable, loved the unlovable and not for any other reason except to show how much God loves us. To be able to wake up everyday not playing the victim but being victorious. She truly is amazing and whenever I go through something, I always remind myself, this isn’t anything compared to what my mom has endured, so if she can do it….so can I!!!

An organization that also deserves recognition is a community of people I found in December of 2022, this group has forever changed the way I see and view songwriters, musicians, and artists. The Writing Worship group is truly one of a kind. A producer I worked with told me about they group and raved about how genuine this particular group of people were and even said it was the most genuine and loving group of people he’d encountered in his career. So, I couldn’t help but see what these people were all about. Founded by Eric and Krissy Nordoff, Writing Worship is a collective of individuals from all over the world! Songwriters, musicians, producers, and independent artists, this group truly is one of a kind. They are authentic, true, genuine, full of grace, and they champion every individual in the giftings that they have been given. They pray, support, and encourage like no other group of people. I can agree with the producer, I haven’t experienced anything quite like this group of people and I am so grateful for the relationships and friendships I have established.

Website: www.jessecatooveymusic.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessecatooveymusic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jessecatoovey

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessecatooveymusic

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@jessecatoovey

Image Credits
Kyla Hemelt Photography