Skip to content
Country singer Jacke Putnam rises from the ashes with new album, The Phoenix
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
Colchester’s very own country star Jackie Putnam hoped to release her debut album, The Phoenix, back in 2020. Unfortunately, it was around the same time the COVID pandemic began.
However, like its namesake, Putnam’s passion project has risen from the ashes, having officially released on June 10.
“The album is the story of who I am, and the songs that I wrote,” said Putnam. “Before COVID, during COVID, and after COVID.”
Like many albums created during the pandemic, the songs within touch on the many difficulties faced by those stuck inside their homes. Two of which, “A Church With No People” and “Hurt”, released as singles prior to the album’s full release, are prime examples
“‘A Church With No People’ was written during COVID, when we couldn’t have services, funerals, or weddings,” said Putnam. “‘Hurt’ is about the pain that I have felt … and of course, it was part of the pandemic.”
It was “A Church With No People” that netted Putnam a Songwriter of the Year award from the North American Country Music Association in 2023 – the same year that she was awarded Entertainer of the Year, earned in part to her energetic stage presence and stylish outfits, which often include her signature dresses and go-go boots.
Though Putnam’s music and style are influenced heavily by country stars of the past (Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton, to name a few), she explained that her music doesn’t necessarily stick to the country genre.
“It’s not just one genre,” Putnam explained. “It’s pop, country, and gospel. It’s who I am. My whole life I’ve performed in rock and roll bands, country, and 50s and 60s bands. It’s a combination of who I am.”
Putnam’s purpose
While several of the songs deal with the social and emotional dysfunction that many experienced during the pandemic, Putnam doesn’t leave the listener without a shred of hope, as indicated on another track titled, “I Wanted To Be Free.”
“It’s about how I collect my thoughts and gain my positive energy from going to the ocean and walking on the ocean floor,” Putnam explained. “We do have the world’s highest tides here, and there’s a lot of positive energy in the ground when the ocean is gone.”
If the release of Putnam’s long-awaited The Phoenix is any indication, it isn’t just nature that helps her put troubles aside.
“For me, to write … it’s healing for my soul. Sometimes when you’re going through some hurt and pain, I find I write, but it comes out as positive, high-energy songs. It feels good because it automatically heals you if you’re down in your life.
“I find writing helps pick me back up, and when I can write a song, the words, and the music come all at once. I hear it, I start writing it out, and I’m very lucky to have that gift.”
Taking a chance
Putnam left her job in March 2023 to focus on her music full-time. Since then, she’s been focused on promoting herself through concerts and Maritime tours, getting her singles on the radio, and preparing for the release of her album.
“To leave a full-time job and dive right into this … it’s scary,” said Putnam. “But this is my destiny, and I have to do this.
“Everywhere I go, I keep receiving a positive response. People keep telling me, ‘You’re already there.’ It gave me a lot of confidence in myself.”
While taking a chance on herself and her abilities was a difficult decision, Putnam’s motto is to simply live without regret.
“I don’t want any regrets when I’m older, looking back on my life, why I did not take one chance on myself, one opportunity, and just do it? I think that would be the worst thing – looking back and not doing what you wanted to do the most, your dream.
“I’m chasing my dream. I’m living my dream.”
The Phoenix is currently up for sale on Putnam’s website, jackieputnam.com. She’ll be celebrating her album release at Great Village Arts on June 17. Tickets are available online at greatvillagearts.ca/events.php.
