Review by Rebecca Clark and Renee Clark Quade | Photos by Rebecca Clark
From the moment Jo Dee Messina took the stage on Friday night, the energy inside The Vine at Del Lago was vibrant and full of life. Opening the show with her defiant hit “My Give a Damn’s Busted,” Messina immediately had the crowd dancing and singing along.
One of the most meaningful elements of the performance was how naturally Messina wove her faith into the evening. It wasn’t preachy, just authentically part of who she is. Her guitar strap, decorated with crosses, featured the scripture reference “John 3:16.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” It was a quiet but powerful reflection of the strength she carries both personally and artistically.
After her third song, Messina paused to read fan signs, creating one of the night’s most personal moments. When one group asked her to spend Valentine’s Day with them for a “Galentine’s” celebration, she laughed and signed their poster, jokingly apologizing that she’d be busy playing in Michigan.
The show balanced nostalgia with excitement for what’s next. Messina teased several songs from her forthcoming album, sharing that she wrote all but one of the tracks. From what the audience heard, the project promises a mix of pop influences, faith-centered themes, and what she described as “bone-driven country.”
One standout preview was “Welcome to the Show,” a fiery song about the “new supply” of a narcissistic ex-partner that already sounds like a future cathartic hit. She also shared snippets of “If He Knew Jesus” and “Some Bridges,” hinting at the emotional range fans can expect from the new record.
Mid-set, Messina and her amazing band delivered a series of covers and mashups that showcased both her personality and musical influences, bringing a subtle rock edge that elevated the performance and added an extra layer of energy.
The crowd happily joined in on classics like Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll,” and Kansas’s “Carry On Wayward Son.” When the band briefly launched into AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” Messina jokingly shut it down, telling the audience they could sing it themselves. The playful exchange flowed naturally into band introductions and plenty of laughter.
Throughout the night, Messina reminded the audience why her catalog has stood the test of time. Her timeless hits like “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “Bye Bye,” “Lesson in Leavin’,” “Stand Beside Me,” and “I’m Alright” kept the crowd engaged from start to finish, each song sparked a wave of voices that rang out across every level of the venue.
Messina also took a moment to film a quick social media video with the audience, encouraging fans to follow along online to see the content they were creating on tour.
Before closing the main set, Messina shared one of the most heartfelt moments of the night, opening up about her frustrations with the music industry and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people. “Never take advice from someone who has never been where you want to go,” She said. “Surround yourself with people who encourage you, just keep going.”
Her message about perseverance, resilience, and believing in yourself was such an inspirational moment. “Believe that it’s possible, surround yourself with positive people, and don’t ever stop believing,” Messina said as her band dove into a powerful performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
The encore brought the emotion full circle. During “Bring on the Rain,” Messina asked for the venue lights to be turned off so she could see the audience illuminate the room with their phone lights. With the venue’s multiple levels glowing in unison, it became one of the evening’s most memorable visuals. She closed the night still connecting with fans, signing items while continuing to sing.
Jo Dee Messina’s performance proved that authenticity, resilience, and a genuine connection with fans never go out of style. With timeless hits, promising new music on the horizon, and a message of encouragement woven throughout the night, she made sure everyone left smiling — and singing all the way home.
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