Meet Alyssa Jacey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Jacey.

Hi Alyssa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Sure! But first, I’d like to begin by thanking you for having me back! It’s an honor to hear from you year after year and to have your support and interest in my careers, so thank you! Here’s a story I’ve kind of touched on before, but never in this much detail.

I had just come off a dancing high from dancing in the pregame, National Anthem, Star-Spangled Banner, and Super Bowl halftime shows in 2003, when I moved from my hometown San Diego, CA, to Los Angeles. I was 23 on the verge of 24, and in the middle of taking a break from college to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I had been dancing for nearly 20 years at that point, and my dream was to become Justin Timberlake, Usher, or Janet Jackson’s backup dancer. So, I moved to LA to pursue that dream but what ended up happening was, in short, a pause in my dance career and a beginning to one in music.

Prior to the end of 2003, I had never had any hopes, dreams, or aspirations of singing. In fact, I had never sung in front of anyone, except in the car with my mom, and alone I’d sing along to cassettes in my room while making up dances, but that was it. My heart belonged to the world of dance, namely hip-hop.

Growing up, I was constantly writing; I wrote short stories and poems. English was my favorite topic in school! I had written books worth of poems even before turned 12.

Poetry was an outlet for me, as was dance, but what people have found most shocking over the years is that a) I never knew I could sing and b) none of those poems turned into songs. “How did you NOT know you had a voice?” I hear that a lot. I’d reply, “I dunno! I just didn’t. I was the girl in line at the grocery store with her elbows in the air and moving her feet, making up eight counts.” Music was IN me from the start, just in a very different way.

I had four, consistent part-time jobs while working in Santa Monica; Lead hostess at Sushi Roku, a cocktail waitress at Gotham Hall on the 3rd Street Promenade (which went out of business a few years later), a retail store called ‘In the Back’ (which was literally in the back of another retail store), and a talent scout for a small company. My first job was teaching a singer how to move comfortably on stage while performing, but that was short-lived, so I barely count it.

While working all these jobs right in the heart of one of the hippest locations, it was easy to get distracted. So, instead of doing what I was there to do – dance and teach dance – I went out all the time. The fast life sucked me in. I fell for every LA trick in the book, and quickly lost track of my purpose and even who I was.

I digress. Let me back up! Gotham Hall, the bar I cocktail waitressed at, was where it all started. I showed up to work one night and my manager said, “We’ve all heard you singing to yourself for a couple of months now and think you have a good voice. So, next Wednesday, we’re going to start hosting weekly karaoke nights and we want you to kick them off.” I was STUNNED. I sang to myself? Outloud??? I had a real deer in headlights moment, there. I remember my jaw kind of opening, just in shock that not only was I walking around work doing something I wasn’t aware of, and people heard, but they LIKED it. That was a strange concept to me, and that strange concept only got stranger, after I sang the following week.

Wednesday arrived quickly and I recall making an easy decision as to what song I was going to sing; Life Goes On by LeAnn Rimes. The movie Coyote Ugly was still popular three years after its release, I loved LeAnn’s music and the lyrical, positive message in that song fit my personality and outlook on life. Plus, being a dancer, I was used to utilizing stage space and that songs’ beat allowed for a lot of movement! I felt ready. Nervous, but ready. I was born onto a stage dancing; the stage was my second home. But SINGING on it? Whole different ballgame. Just the idea alone felt SO. DIFFERENT.

But I have always remembered every second as if it just happened…

I got on stage, and immediately everyone was staring. Nerves were going wild. I said to myself, “You got this. You’re a born entertainer. You know the words. Just have fun!” And boy, did I EVER! I had a freakin’ BLAST! Sure, the beginning was a little bumpy but by roughly mid-song, I had found my groove, was moving all over the stage, smiling my face off and making eye contact with the crowd as if I’d been doing it for years. I was instantly hooked. Whatever that feeling was? I wanted to relive it over and over. And the crowd only affirmed that.

I exited stage left and went back to work as though nothing happened. The first table I checked on was a woman sitting by herself, mere feet from the stage. I asked, “May I get you anything else?” She said, “No, but when can I see your next show? Do you have a CD I can buy?” I about fainted. What on EARTH was she talking about? I sounded like CRAP, in my opinion. I nervously laugh-thanked her, “Oh, ha-ha, um, thank you, but that was my first time singing, I don’t have a CD or any shows or anything. I’m not a singer, I just did that for fun to appease co-workers/ Thank you, though!”

Here’s the part where I still pinch myself, wondering what other people’s ears heard that night in comparison to mine. But every other table I checked on, even random people sitting at the bar aach said the same thing, just about VERBATIM; when can we see your next show, where can we buy a CD.

This continued to happen week after week at Gotham Hall for months until I gained enough courage to try different karaoke bars and see if everyone in LA had bad hearing, or if it was just my bars’ clientele. But lo and behold, it happened everywhere I went. The same two lines, I heard them every time I sang; when’s your next show, where can we buy a CD?

By my seventh month (so maybe 5th in karaoke), I had branched out and started rotating in Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman and (If You’re Not in It for Love) I’m Outta Here! By Shania. Somewhere in my last two months, I had begun singing My Immortal by Evanescence and You Were Meant for Me by Jewel.

Nine months in LA can really burn you out if you’re not careful and I was one of those people who wasn’t careful enough. I let LA do what it does, and hit rock bottom. So, yes, while I had discovered a passion and talent I never knew existed, I also discovered that I was unhealthy – in many ways – and needed to not only move back home to San Diego but go back to college and finish. And I did.

I continued singing karaoke in several bars in SD and even there, I heard those same two lines every night. It took a little over a year (overall) for me to realize that I had something that the universe was virtually screaming at me to pursue. So, in December of 2004, I called the only producer I knew who I had met in LA and said, “I know you know me as Alyssa the dancer/choreographer, but I think I’m supposed to sing. “Can you record me?” He said, “Sure! Have any songs?” Ehhhhhh… oh, yeah, that’s a thing, isn’t it. “Um, no. But I will!” Within a couple of weeks, I had written three songs and by the end of January 2005, I had released ‘The Alyssa Jacey EP.’

My schedule was as follows: attending Cal State University San Marcos Monday-Thursday with a full schedule, then driving up to LA Thursday night after class, recording Thursday through Sunday morning, driving back to SD, doing all my homework in one day, rinse, wash, repeat. Somewhere in there, I also found time to teach both public and private dance lessons, take dance classes, and assistant manage at Victoria’s Secret 20 hours a week.

I submitted the EP to local radio and the fair. I was booked that year to play the fair and a couple of stations were already spinning ‘The Longest Kiss.’ Soon after, followed ‘Sunset Blue.’ I hired a guitar player for some live shows and sang to a couple of backing tracks, but I quickly learned that after getting flaked on by eight guitar players in a row, that if I wanted to really get things moving, I’d have to teach myself. So, I did and three weeks later, I was accompanying myself at San Diego State University. (There’s an old image that pops up on Google if you Google ‘Alyssa Jacey’ from that show. From that day to today, whoever sees that image has commented, “You look like Sheryl Crow there.” That has always stood out to me and meant so much because she was one of the first female artists I got really into! Sheryl, Shawn Colvin, who I later opened up for around 2011, and Jewel).

“Bring the crew and wear your BLUE!” was born around then, and I started calling my fans the “Blue Crew.” My grandma had passed from Alzheimer’s in February of 2005, one month after I started singing originals live, and since she never got to see a show or hear me perform. We were extremely close. I decided right then and there that when the time came, I would donate a portion of my ticket and merch sales to the Alzheimer’s Association if people came to my shows decked out in blue. I’m proud to say that as of today, May 15, 2022, I’ve been actively donating for 10.5 years! So, please keep bringing the crew and wearing your blue to my shows! You’re helping make a difference!

In June of 2005, I celebrated my 100th show by playing with a full band for the first time at Twiggs Green Room (RIP, Johnny C.). Jason Mraz played there a lot before he got huge. In fact, one night I went there to go see him play, and as I introduced myself to him, took him by the hand and (softly) dragged him a few feet to the front door. “Look! Look!” I was pointing out a flyer for an upcoming show of mine there.

‘The Alyssa Jacey EP’ turned into several more LPs and full-length albums over the years. I had picked up the drums, got better at guitar, written about 150 more songs, was touring the nation, and was opening for acts like Bruno Mars and Andy Grammer. I didn’t have a manager or booking agent and still don’t to this day. That doesn’t mean I haven’t wanted both; The right team just hasn’t been in the cards for me (yet), and that’s fine. This industry shows you who it is on the first date, if you know what I mean 😉 I’ve been approached by a handful of ‘I can do this for you’ people and ‘let me manage you’ people and not a single person ever followed through. So, I’ve just kept on chuggin’ along solo!

I mean, I didn’t even know I could SING just a few years prior. I just knew (and know) I was born to be in the entertainment industry, be it dancing, singing, writing, hosting TV shows and being an inspirational speaker and coach. It all fills my life cup! Never in a million years could I have guessed those other paths, passions, and purposes would unveil themselves after moving to Nashville, TN, on January 10th, 2012. They call Nashville a “10-year town” so I’m excited to see what 2022 will continue to bless me with! This year has already been the BEST year of my LIFE in every single way!

To date, I’ve played nearly 4,000 worldwide, written over 400 originals, and I’m in the middle stages of recording my 10th and what will likely be my last album. At least for a while. New singles like “See Me Cry” and “Sha La La Love” have already been released this year. “Choosing Boys” is next (out 5/27/22, which has already gotten a ton of radio and publishing agency attention!) “Man of God” in June (hands down the most vulnerable, bold and lyrically honest I’ve ever been in a song), then I’ll either release one, maybe two more singles before the entire album drops late October.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a DIY indie artist, there are constant challenges. Not that there aren’t any if you’re on a major label or have management, but instead of those challenges falling on the shoulders of a spread-out team, they all fall on yours. And that weight can weigh you down to the point of questioning your faith in yourself and your purpose in music. I knew this was a tough industry to break into from the get-go and I knew that. If one is considering getting into music, acting, modeling, comedy, or anything entertainment-related, one’s got to prepare oneself by understanding that, first and foremost.

Next, you must have tough skin and I didn’t, coming in. So, early on, not only was I unprepared for all of that, but I also didn’t have any coaching or guidance as to what to expect. I think it’s safe to say singer/songwriters and artists alike wear their hearts on their sleeves and all we want to do is connect with our audiences. But we can’t win them all over and we have to know that. There will always be that one person or few people who cross their arms over their chests, frown, yawn and talk through your whole set, which, yeah, sometimes that sucks. But you live and learn and unfortunately, grow to expect that happens sometimes. Again, doesn’t make those tiny blows easier to take. We’re sitting ducks up there sharing our life stories in front of the world to judge and criticize not only what we’re singing about, but how we sing, how we play, whether we’re entertaining or not, what we’re wearing, how we address the crowd, and more. Plus, starting as late in life as I did, all I knew was what I was learning as it came at me.

It was and still is very trying at times. My biggest struggle has been coming to grips with this industry being comprised of a LOT of unreliable, ill-intended, entitled and sometimes just flat-out rude people. I like showing up an hour early to shows, I like being rehearsed, and I like being professional on stage and off but that’s not the case with everyone else.

Presently, I’m dealing with getting emailed and social media messaged and public posted comments every few days the last few weeks with a podcast interviewer, demanding I give him Amazon reviews. “I’m happy to do it, and will,” I initially explained to him, “But please be courteous and respectful of my time. I’ll get to it, please be patient.” He expected me to turn around and do it the next day and the next and every time he commented and emailed and I don’t have a team to handle the situation. This is one of the many challenges I was referring to, that falls on me and then I become the bad guy for asking my time and public pages to be respected. Some people think I don’t have 1,000,000 other things to juggle. I mean shoot, my two-year agonizing divorce JUST ended YESTERDAY. It’s like these selfish, entitled, self-proclaimed “professionals” don’t have an ounce of a respectful clue that they’re not the only people who exist and the world doesn’t revolve around them. It’s a real challenge, but unfortunately, these are the brakes, the bumps and the pains that come with the business and being an independent artist. It is what it is, but knowing that doesn’t make it less stressful or easier.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m SO excited to answer this question because I get to talk about my life’s purpose! I discovered in 2014 why I was in music and simply put, it’s to inspire others with my story (the one I opened up with). You can go from 0 to a career in your passion and I’m here to help you achieve just that with my inspirational career coaching business, www.IAUM.live which stands for ‘I Am Unashamedly Me.’ I’ve worked with clients world-wide, helping them recognize their full-potential not only in their careers and passions, but I often act as an (unlicensed) therapist. I am here to listen, process and guide. I never make any promises I can’t walk the walk with. I only teach what I know and will connect you with others who are better versed in the areas I’m not. But I LOVE INSPIRING OTHERS AND I PRAY I GET TO DO THIS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!

Some other titles I have outside of singer/songwriter/musician and inspirational career coach are; producer, co-producer and co-engineer in the studio, director, co-director, videographer and co-videographer for music and promo videos, TV host (look up Alyssa Jacey TV Host on YouTube), dancer, choreographer, professional National Anthem singer (I’ve sung the National Anthem for the San Diego Padres, the TN State Senate and more. Look up Alyssa Jacey’s anthem on YouTube), international motivational speaker, booking agent, live sound engineer, musical improvisational comedian, signed actress, and model. I’m also Southwest Airlines’ only independent artist and only artist in the world to have performed at 35,000 feet more than twice, and I’ve done it 24 times!

See @AJLiveat35 on Instagram!

I specialize in having a multi-genre catalog (pop/pop country/country/blues/Americana/folk/reggae/jazz/rap/pop rock/surf rock/synth pop) of over 400 written and over 150 recorded/released songs, and playing multiple instruments at once; I sing, play guitar, (sometimes sing on a drum kit), use a stomp box on my right foot and a tambourine on my left and occasionally, I’ll add harmonica which sits around my neck. You can find all of this on my www.YouTube.com/AlyssaJacey channel! Hit subscribe!

I’m business-oriented, so just as putting on a great show is important to me, so is showing up early, dressing the part, being respectful to any/all levels of venue staff, memorizing their names, being gracious, thanking the venue, sound engineer and booking agent for having me and the audience for being there! Couldn’t do what I love without every one of them! I’m a diehard promoter and marketer, so I stop at nothing to promote my shows so I can sellout as consistently as possible.

I have a strong blue brand that started initially as an addiction at 16-years-old and grew into my artist brand at 25. I get tagged in blue GIFS, pics of blue you-name-it’s, even called the nickname “blue” all the time. Many people have even referred to royal/electric blue as “Alyssa Jacey Blue.” I’ll hear, “But that’s not Alyssa Jacey blue, that’s not YOUR blue,” when someone is referring to another shade. I LOVE hearing those things. This week alone, I got somewhere between 40 and 50 people (between social platforms, emails and texts) reaching out to me about blue related anything’s and I LOVE them all! I’m probably most “known” for branding my blue self, building/marketing my career without a team, and from what I’ve been told from Doc McGhee (manages KISS, used to manage Darius Rucker, discovered Bon Jovi), Ray Gmeiner (who was the VP of marketing at Virgin Records), the House of Blues, San Diego, others in the industry, even peers and many of my fans, “one of the hardest working women in the industry.” I genuinely do work my blue butt off, and it’s nice to hear people recognize that!

So, I believe a mix of all of the above sets me apart.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
Inspiring others!!! No question! I remember the moment I realized what my life’s purpose was, eight years ago. It was such a special moment, that I cried. When it became clear WHY I was in music – because I still didn’t really understand what I was doing in the industry or why all these other paths like TV hosting and motivational speaking appeared – everything became clear. I was in music to inspire people and that’s the year I started my inspirational career coaching business.

Back then, it was called ‘Image Twelve28, an Artist Development, Media Coaching, and Booking Agency. Almost three years ago, I re-branded to branch out from working solely with artists in the music industry to working with any/all occupations and even retirees.

My purpose with IAUM.live (I Am Unashamedly Me) is to guide and coach others toward feeling more self-assured in their lives and careers using inspirational and motivational techniques and I LOVE WHAT I DO!!! I LOVE coaching and helping others!

I know that was a bit repetitive but THIS is my life’s purpose and THIS is what truly matters!

Contact Info:

• Email: AlyssaJaceyMusic@gmail.com
• Website: www.AlyssaJacey.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssajaceyofficial/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaJaceyMusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyssajacey
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/AlyssaJacey
• ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/alyssajacey
• Other: https://iaum.live/

Image Credits
Alyssa Jacey, Stelle Amor, Brian Daniel Baker, Xoa Mitcheltree, and Ranae Keane