First Step

Jenny Willison is originally from Milwaukee, WI where she grew up singing in high school choirs and playing guitar with her youth group. After high school she focused on developing her teaching skills and graduated from Indiana University. She taught for the next 20 years singing only to her family and to her elementary age students. In 2004, Jenny joined a local church music group, singing back up to more veteran musicians. Within weeks Grammy Award Winner Randy Coryell (a Boise native) heard her singing and encouraged her to sing with him. Randy coaxed her into it, promising to adapt a song that he knew would be perfect for her. Jenny, with Randy accompanying her on piano, sang in front of 500 people - her voice moving many to tears. As the audience sat speechless, Randy said, 'I think you will be hearing more from this incredible woman.' Jenny soon became a regular featured singer for the church music group and eventually started playing some of her own songs. Parents at the school where she taught and the members of the First United Methodist church in Boise encouraged her to record. She resisted until one summer when she was participating in an Outward Bound teacher development program. As she sat a top Desolation Peak overlooking Mount Hozomeen, she reflected on the opportunities that had passed, and realized that challenges in life are what makes one strong. With encouragement of people like recording artist Carrie Newcomer (who met Jenny at a song writing workshop and concert in Boise) Jenny began her recording.