Ken - It's very exciting to see you coming back after your first self-titled CD. I know you have been interviewed a lot, and you have probably been asked everything that can be asked. Even so, why don't you just introduce yourself and tell us about where you are at right now.

Jessie - Well my name is Jessie Daniels, I am 18 years old, and I'm from Long Island, NY. I find myself recently spending a lot of time in Nashville, TN, working on my 2006 self-titled release on Midas Records.

Ken - This is new for Midas Records right?

Jessie - Yes, I am their first artist in the CCM market. They're really awesome, they have had some pop success, but now they have started the Nashville side of the label, which is me being on the Christian side.

Ken - Is there any particular reason you choose to go with a new label instead of one of the well established CCM labels?

Jessie - The few years that I have been working in Nashville, I have meet with every Christian label you can think of, and everybody showed interest, but for some reason they didn't want to commit. I finally got to a point where I think I needed God so much and His answer and His approval for my career so much, that I felt once again He was giving me reassurance that this is His calling on my life.

I was actually on a youth convention retreat and I got to the point where I said - "God, I want to do what you called me to do, and I can't do it unless you show me. If you're trying to tell me, I can't hear you and please show me." Two days after I came home from that retreat, I got a call from Midas Records. I just knew that it was what God wanted me to do and where he wanted me to be.

Ken – That’s cool.

Ken - Will you be re-recording some of the songs from your last EP or will this be all brand new?

Jessie - We actually have a few more songs to do on this CD, and you might catch a song from the EP. I'm really not sure; I want to come with all new fresh songs. My life has changed a lot since I wrote the EP. I think I've grown and matured as a person and lyrically, and also my sound has developed more too. I think you will hear hints of the EP, but it's definitely going to be different.

Ken - In the category of ladies who rock it seems that longevity is an issue. Have you thought about this at all?

Jessie - It's funny, because I think in the Christian market it is easier for a guy to do a rock record than it is for a girl. Plenty of girls have had success as rock artist - like Superchick, Barlow Girl, [and] members of Skillet. They have all just done their thing and said, hey, we're here to rock and it doesn't matter. We proclaim the name of Jesus just like everybody else. That's what I'm here to do. I hope to bring a fresh perspective to the table and hope that people are inspired by what I am doing. Hopefully I'll be able to have a nice long career where I can grow with people.

Ken - I have seen in the past that you have been asked about musical categorizations between Christian and secular. It appears that you are choosing a path now that is straight forward Christian. After the first CD you could have gone either way. What are your thoughts on that?

Jessie - It's the same way in the way I write. I write songs about my faith directly and I also write songs about things I'm going through. Maybe not directly associated with God, but that is just the way I write. I'm from New York and not everybody their knows God and it is important to me to make sure that I write songs that can relate to non-Christians who may hear my music. Maybe a Christian will understand my songs and my walk with God, and maybe somebody who doesn't have a relationship with God will listen to a song about a tough time or relationship, and totally identify with it. It's important to me that I am relevant and that I identify with people, because I feel like the more relevant that I am the more people are going to want to hear what I have to say. Most importantly, I want to reveal God in the most real and relevant way. I just want Jesus to be real to people and I don't want to put myself into a box.

Like it says on MySpace - Pop/Rock/Christian. I am a Christian girl, but maybe because my lyrics don't blatantly say God or Jesus, that doesn't matter at this point. The message that I have is a universal message regardless of whether it is specifically CCM. Obviously God has placed me here for a reason, but the message is universal. It's a message that proclaims the name of Jesus which is the ultimate point.

Ken - On your website, you mention something about being in the spotlight and being under the microscope as a female Christian artist, has your prior experience in the business helped you to prepare for this?

Jessie - I think it has. Believe it or not, I think it is most hard for Christian girls in the business just because you feel called by God to be an artist and to let people know you through your music. Also, you are called to help people out with what they are going through. For me, I want to be honest with people about who I am. I think it's hard to be a young Christian girl to begin with, not only being under the microscope as an artist. That's one thing about this industry, that even Christian's [and] their character, is important to their success. It's important to keep your integrity high, but it is really hard. I'm away from my family a lot and that is hard. That is just one thing I go through. It is important to keep your focus. I think a lot of times; especially women, have been portrayed as "perfection." I'm here to say I have not been a Christian all my life and God came into my life and changed me. I'm here to be real and honest because my life is not perfect all the time. I'm doing the best I can and I hope that people identify with me and my music.

Ken - You have been asked this question before, and we all tend to ask young artist the same question, but where do you see yourself in 5 years? As you have been asked this a lot, and it has been two or three years since you began this journey, looking back how do you feel about the choices you have made?

Jessie - I'm happy to be where I am at the age that I am. As for the future, I just really hope to have enough success to continue to do what God has called me to do.

Ken - I hope so too! Although, I don't want to be selfish and I hope that you're successful in life, period. Also, that your faith comes first, but as a fan, I want more music! It's good to see you back and I hope to see you on tour soon.

Ken - Is there anything else you would like to add or leave us with?

Jessie - My main goal on this whole record and this real beginning of my career, is to number one show people Jesus in the most real and relevant way and to continue to identify with people and enjoy my music.

Ken - That is really good to hear and I have been impressed with what I'm hearing. Your faith appears to be really strong.

Jessie - Absolutely, you know, a lot of people can say don't get caught up in this business and forget about the real reason why you are here. I don't think I could ever forget. Sometimes in a day I'll forget to do my devotions, but God is continually with me and He has his hand in everything I do in my career. I wouldn't be here if He didn't.

Ken - And you can still have fun!

Jessie - Absolutely, I'm already having a blast. You know, there are a lot of business things that make your head spin, but in the long run you build lasting relationships and you have a lot of fun.

(CD will be released June 6th)