We recently had the chance to catch up with Nashville-based country singer and Whitesboro native Jess Antonette, and let me tell you, it was a conversation full of heart, humor, and a peek behind the curtain of her music career.
Jess kicked things off by giving us a snapshot of life in Music City. “Life is very fun and adventurous,” she said.
Of course, we had to ask what she misses most from Central New York. Without missing a beat, Jess said, “Tomato pie. Chicken Riggies, family, friends… there’s nothing like hometown food.” She added that while Nashville has its famous hot chicken, “it’s good, but it’s nothing compared to the Italian food back home.”
Jess started her career singing backup for big names like Melissa Etheridge and the Goo Goo Dolls, but she always knew she wanted to tell her own stories:
“Being a background singer gave me a taste of touring the world,” she said. “After that first experience, I realized, ‘I want to do this. I think I could do this.’ It just took me a while to figure out what I wanted to say.”
When it comes to songwriting, Jess’s process is as unique as her voice. Some of her best ideas pop up during everyday moments: driving in the car, in the middle of the night.
For her latest single, Over the Moon, she drew directly from a personal experience.
“A ‘situationship’ ended unexpectedly,” she shared. “I saw the tail lights as he drove away, and I told my co-writer, ‘This is the hardest thing—to get over someone.’ That’s how we landed on ‘getting over the moon.’ It’s simple, honest, and real.”
Jess’s music is getting noticed. Over the Moon recently landed on Spotify’s All New Country playlist alongside big names like Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, and the Eli Young Band.
Even with her growing success, Jess remains hands-on with her career. She funds much of her work herself, managing her schedule and business decisions.
Looking ahead, Jess has another single, Line of Fire, dropping April 15th 2026. While it shares some common threads with Over the Moon, she says it’s more upbeat and playful, showing another side of her storytelling.
Before we wrapped up, we hit her with a few rapid-fire questions. Favorite tomato pie? Joe’s in Whitesboro. Favorite venue? The Burns in Sweden, with its gorgeous chandeliers. One thing she always carries? Chapstick.
Jess Antoinette is proof that following your passion takes hard work, courage, and a lot of heart. Her honesty, songwriting talent, and self-driven approach make her one to watch in country music.
Check out her latest single Over the Moon wherever you stream music, and keep an eye out for Line of Fire on April 15th. You can also follow her journey here.
