Jessica Horn has been performing music since she was 13 years old, which was 17 years ago.
Horn, who is a country music artist from Kansas City, Mo., will be in Emporia on Oct. 29 for a concert to benefit Emporia State University’s athletics programs. Horn will perform with the Dixie Cadillacs, the 2000 NACA Country Entertainers of the year.
Horn said music runs in her family on her mom’s side. For generations, her family has had singers, piano players and guitar players. Horn started going to local competitions when she was 13 and she joined her first band when she was 17. Since then she’s been in every kind of band, including rock, country, hard rock and soul.
“I’ve kind of done it all,” she said. “Now that I’m a little older, I’m focusing on what I want to do (country). I am also performing the stuff I write.”
Horn ultimately settled on country music because when she was younger she used to write things that were more in-depth.
“Now that I’m older, I just like to have fun,” she said. “I like the more lighthearted stuff. It just works better for me now. It’s the way it comes out — country.”
Horn said she has always loved singing for people.
“The bigger the audience, the more excited I get,” she said. “There’s just no way to describe it. I just love it.”
Horn said she performs a lot and she’s looking forward to performing with the Dixie Cadilliacs.
“They have a really great history,” she said.
Right now, Horn is working on a self-titled album, which she plans on having ready for release at the beginning of 2007.