One meeting with Tara Gess proves that she doesn't believe in putting on pretenses.  The singer/songwriter from Palmyra, Wisconsin all but apologizes, "where I'm from…they 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 her debut album recently released, the Packers AND Titans fan 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 would be the most marketable.  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 folk and Americana influenced sound.  They didn’t get it!  My desire was to put together a record that listeners could grow into.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a number of hits, but I’ve also got some ‘sleepers’.  You know…those crowd favorites that never get released to radio but that keep bringing you back to listen.

Eventually, I ended up co-writing some of the songs on the project and combined those with some great songs I’d run across through the years.  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 Kelly Archer song, “I Like Me,” 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 someone understands them, is payin’ attention, and cares enough to sing about it.  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’ve performed in different capacities my whole life.  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 a wild 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 seven 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 who I am as an artist.  I hope they are as proud of it as I am!”