One meeting with Tara Gess proves that she doesn't believe in putting on pretenses.  The singer/songwriter from Palmyra, Wisconsin all but apologizes, "folks where I'm from tell it like it is."  Tara likes to get right to the point and right now she’s all about showing the world what her music is about.

With a debut album ready for release, the 27-year-old sums up her effort, "I worked with a few producers cutting sides here and there, but I wasn’t getting the sound I was looking for.  My producers, at the time, kept insisting that I cut material they felt they could get to radio.  We were chasing after everyone else.  I’d rather be first on the block than third or fourth.  I wanted to blend country with a handful of folk and Americana influenced music.  They didn’t get it.  My desire was to put together a record that listeners could grow into.  

Don’t get me wrong, we’ve got a number of country radio hits, but we’ve also got some ‘sleepers’.  You know, those favorite songs that never get released to radio but that keep bringing you back to listen.  When I was introduced to producer, Wyatt Easterling, things began to take shape and fall into place. 

Eventually, we ended up co-writing some of the songs on the project.  I had songs I’d found and Wyatt pulled out several of his favorites that he believed in.  As diverse as they are, the songs all seem to fit together.  For me, the greatest part of the record is the constant discovery.  Every other listen I find a new favorite song.  I believe we nailed it.  Today my favorite is a Walt Wilkins song, “Someone Somewhere Tonight,” but tomorrow I may be in the mood for one of the songs I co-wrote, “Gone Fishin’.”  Needless to say, I’m very pleased with the whole record.”

Gess's favorite part of her chosen career is the live show.  "When I hit the stage I’m right at home," she says.  "I like to make everyone feel like they're in my living room joking around with me.  It may seem strange, but for me the most natural thing in the world is to get up on stage and perform.  I don't know; I used to show Quarter horses, and maybe all those years I spent showing horses in front of an audience, paid off.  Horse people; now there's your tough crowd!"

"When I moved to Nashville, I figured if someone would open the door just a crack for me, I could take care of the rest."  After living in Nashville for more than four years, the singer-songwriter is ready to roll. “I’ve learned a lot from some very successful people in town.  I’ve also established some good friendships among them and found encouragement and support.  They’ve all had an impact on the final product. 

I hope they are as proud of it as I am.