Country Music Star Launches 30th Anniversary Tour with First Album in 12 Years: 'What Took So Long?'

Jo Dee Messina Embarks on 30th Anniversary Tour with New Album

Jo Dee Messina is set to embark on a nationwide tour this year, celebrating her 30-year career in country music. The tour, titled “The Bridges Tour: Celebrating 30 Years of Jo Dee Messina,” will take her to nearly 40 cities across the United States. This special tour coincides with the release of her new album, Bridges, which marks her first studio album in 12 years and is set to drop on June 5.

Known for her iconic hits from the '90s such as “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “I’m Alright,” “Bye Bye,” and “Stand Beside Me,” Messina has been busy promoting her latest work. She has already released three singles from Bridges: “Some Bridges,” “Don’t Let Them Hide Your Beautiful,” and “Can Anybody.” These tracks will be part of her live performances throughout the tour, alongside some of her classic songs.

Upcoming Performances and Events

Messina has several notable shows scheduled, including an Alabama concert on June 17 at Saddle Up for St. Jude at Gardiner Farm in Tuscumbia. This three-day event, which supports St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, will also feature performances by Shenandoah and Rodney Atkins. Other Southern cities on her itinerary include Nashville (June 5 at CMA Fest and November 6 at The Truth), Fort Worth, Texas (August 1 at Billy Bob’s Texas), and Douglasville, Georgia (October 10 at GreyStone Amphitheater).

Her tour dates are available for viewing online, offering fans the chance to catch her live in their local area.

A Career Spanning Decades

Born in Massachusetts, Messina made her debut in 1996 with her self-titled album on the Curb label. Her career reached its peak in the late '90s and early 2000s, with six No. 1 singles on Billboard’s country chart. She has won numerous awards, including honors from Billboard and the Academy of Country Music, and received nominations from the Country Music Association and the Recording Academy.

Over the years, she has released six studio albums, with four achieving gold or platinum status: Jo Dee Messina, I’m Alright, Burn, and Delicious Surprise. Her most recent album, Me, was released in 2014 under her own label, Dreambound Records. While it didn’t reach the same heights as her earlier works, Messina has maintained a loyal fan base and continued to perform at events like Rock the South in Cullman.

A Comeback After a Decade

Despite not taking a formal hiatus, many are calling her 2026 album a true comeback. In a March feature story, Taste of Country asked, “What took so long?” Messina explained that she had been focusing on raising her two sons, Noah Roger and Jonah Christopher, with her husband, Chris Deffenbaugh. Now that her children are teenagers, she has more time to dedicate to her music.

“I’ve been very into my kids’ lives,” she said. “Not a helicopter parent, but I volunteer at school and help with homework. I don’t leave them home alone, and with two boys, that just leads to trouble. So I have the time to do it now.”

She also mentioned that writing has become a central part of her life. “I spent the last year writing about things I’ve learned over the last 10 years—some wisdom I’ve gathered. Situations, specific situations, different outlooks on the world.”

Health and Fitness Journey

In addition to her musical endeavors, Messina has been working on her health. According to an interview with People magazine, she has lost weight and is training with a fitness instructor. This is especially important given her history with cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2017 and successfully went into remission after treatment.

“I have a goal,” she told People. “This new record, I keep saying, ‘OK, I got to start back running.’ I do cardio, but I need to start that long running stuff because I run all over the stage and this new stuff isn’t easy to sing live.”

A Surprising Appearance on "American Idol"

Messina recently made an appearance on Season 24 of American Idol, surprising finalist Hannah Harper during a hometown performance. Harper was singing “Heads Carolina, Tails California” when Messina joined her on stage for an impromptu duet. Harper, who cited Messina as one of her inspirations, had previously covered the song during the season.

Messina also participated in a keynote conversation at the 2026 Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, where she discussed topics such as identity, authenticity, and the challenges of a career in country music with Alabama artist Ella Langley. Their discussion highlighted the personal and professional struggles faced by artists in the industry.