Jennie DeVoe, a Muncie native, Ball State graduate and superstarof the Indianapolis music scene, will be riding in the parade andperforming the national anthem for today's game. She'll also bereturning to Muncie to play a benefit for United Way at EmensAuditorium on Oct. 25, and will return again Dec. 4 to play CenterStage. You can pick up her latest album at Danners Book Store andvisit www.jenniedevoe.com to find out more about one this talentedalumna
Q. So you're a successful recording artist, AND a Ball Statealumna. Did our humble campus play any role in your development asan artist?
A. Well, I'm originally from Muncie, and I ran into my nowhusband there at Ball State, where we rekindled our relationshipand have been married for 10 years. We have such a strongrelationship because he's so supportive. He's pretty good with mehaving to go out of town a lot. He'll spend his weekends with me,helping with a gig. He really believes in me. He thinks I'm good,and that really helps.
When I was at Ball State, I did counseling and psychology andtelecommunications. On the side, I make money doing commercials.I'm not going to tell you they are. Miraculously, it developed intothis weird side career. The music business is a break-evenbusiness, and this helps supplement it. The fact that I just wantedto have a degree was really important also.
Q. Does Muncie hold a special place in your heart?
A. Yes it does. My family lives there, and there's a lot aboutMuncie that I love. I feel like I'm a product of the life I had,good times and bad. For the career choice I made, it's better to bein a big city, but I like the Midwest and I like midwestern people.I like living here.
Q. Were you excited when you were asked to perform forhomecoming?
A. Yeah. I was flattered. It's just kind of an honor thatsomeone thought to ask me. I guess I've just worked hard enough towhere someone just said, 'Hey, that's what she does." I was justhonored and flattered.
Q. Who is the most interesting person you have performedwith?
A. Joe Cocker. He's such a legend. It just kind of freaked meout to see him up close. He came up to do a sound check, and Ididn't even know it was him. he's just like a regular old guy. Andthen he sang, and I thought to myself, I want to be around thatlong. It's not about being famous. I don't think I'll ever be onthe cover of Rolling Stone, unless I'm in some horrific accidentand I become a legend after I die. I just don't ever want to be aflash-in-the-pan kind of artist.
I kind of came to the conclusion that I shouldn't put that mucheffort into meeting those artists I perform with unless it justhappens. One of the best times was when I met Chris Isaak. Wetalked for an hour or so and he gave me advice. I've been luckythat people that I have met mostly are nice to me.
Q. Where do you live and what does your apartment/house looklike?
A. It's a big old house. I have a mortgage that I wish I didn'thave. I've gotten to the point that I don't have credit cards.That's one of the things I learned at Ball State, that once youhave an American Express card, they'll let you have anything. SoI've gotten those paid off. Anyway, it's a big old 1927 squarebrick house with about an acre of land. I have two dogs and threecats. No kids. I don't have enough time for those shenanigans. Iknow if I had a girl she'd just be a big pain like I was when I wasa kid.
Q. Do you remember your very first job?
A. My very, very, very first job was waitressing. I was horribleat it. I think I'd be really good at it now. I just was not cut outto do the food scene. I was only 15. It was just not the job forme.
Q. Tell us a good 3 a.m. story.
A. I could tell you a good 2 to 4 a.m. story. There's a song onmy second CD called "How I Feel." That song I wrote in probablyless than 15 minutes, and then I got one of my guitar players tohelp me with the music part. Then we went down to Bloomington torecord it and we got started at two in the morning, and we did twotakes. It won a Billboard world songwriting contest. It's hard tobelieve. I just think about how simple it was to write and then howsimple it was to lay down.
That really led to the thought process with my new CD, to geteach song down in two or three takes.
I have other stories, but you probably don't want to print them.I've had a bout with insomnia since I was 18, so I have a wholelife that sometimes starts at midnight and ends at 5 a.m.
Q. Name someone in politics that you trust.
A. Bono! I know he's not really in politics. It's just that hekeeps showing up.
John McCain. I would believe him to the end of the Earth. What Ireally like, and I wish this was true of more politicians, I thinkhe's as honest as America will let him be. He's honest and smart.I'm so tired of politics. It's like we forced politicians intotelling us stuff that we want to hear because if they tell ussomething we don't want to hear we won't vote for them. It's veryirritating. I think politics are in a sad, scary state. I just hatethe applause lines during speeches. You know, it's kind of likegoing to a rock concert where the rock star drinks a fifth ofwhiskey on stage just to get applause. It's like 'Oh, that's not acliche.'
If John McCain were running for president, I would vote forhim.
Q. Do you have any heroes?
A. You know, truthfully, my husband is my hero. I don't meanthat in any hokey way. There's so many routes I could have taken,and he's really helped me and has been the best. You know how somepeople get married and they feel trapped? I felt completely setfree. We've tried to keep that, to keep it alive. And then my dogsare my next heroes, because they love me no matter how I look.
Q. What is the most expensive thing in your wardrobe?
A. You know, I wish I had some hipper or newer clothes. I don'thave anything except a pair of Harley Davidson boots that were acouple hundred dollars. Probably not even that much. I have a beltthat has pink rhinestones on the front and says "cowgirl" on theback. I got it a few years ago, and I just started wearing it.That's good fashion advice, buy something and don't start wearingit for a few years.
Q. 10 p.m. Saturday. What are you doing?
A. Driving back from some place, Wisconsin or Colorado or Iowaor Minnesota. Or if I'm at home, my husband and I drive out and geta coffee, and then bum around the house with the dogs.
Q. Do you have any advice for would-be fellow singer/songwritersfrom the Midwest, particularly from Ball State?
A. I think it's important to hone in on your own style, keepyour blinders on, follow your gut instincts and write unique songs.Concentrate on your lyrics. Don't just write it and think it'sdone. Play an instrument, that's very important. You don't have tobe phenomenal, but it helps with communication with the band. Findyour own voice. It's good just to come up with your own style. Sothat next time someone hears you, they're like 'Hey, it's JennieDeVoe," as opposed to having so many styles so that people don'trecognize you from song to song.
Q. Do you think you'll stay in the Midwest forever?
A. I don't think so. But I'll be sad when I leave. I'll probablycome back all the time. I could see me moving out to Colorado. Idon't know how I'd fare in Los Angeles. I don't know if my boobsare big enough.
Q. Who is the quintessential Ball Stater?
A. David Letterman! And I'm not going to stop until I go on hisshow. Dave Letterman is the perfect example of a person who has abrilliant mind but a soft heart. He can be sarcastic, but he neverstays with it long enough to make a guest uncomfortable. I wouldwatch the show even if he had no guests on. He's my favorite guy,and I want to go on his show. At the bottom of it, he cares aboutpeople.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
