Though, in a longstanding love affair with her sweet and encouraging husband Bryan Roberts of 14 years, Jada Star sings of love lost, acceptance, and rediscovering one’s self. Adept at storytelling, one wonders where the angst in her music originates from?
Luminous and incandescent, suitably describes the spirit which emanates, at first meet, from Nashville-born Star. Obvious is the love of family through as much as casual conversation with her. She embodies an undeniable essence of compassion and caring for others, not only in her actions, but as well in a respectful regard of friends.
Reigning from a long line of talented songwriters, Star comes by her talent honestly.
A lot of time was spent with grandma Avie Lee Parton, who often brought Star along to visit those that her grandma met from places like church. They’d share a meal while listening to stories of wounded hearts, betrayal, conflict, and deep love. It was the way information was shared. Much like sitting around a campfire recalling stories, Avie Lee would sing ancestral, Appalachian-style ballads with a distinct lilt, so beautiful, but of the saddest tales ever heard.
Star’s own mother Freida Parton, influenced the same way, became a brilliant storyteller channeling a hauntingly transcendent sound through her music. Star is often inspired by her mother’s steady dedication to her craft.
With numerous extended family members granted the natural gift of song, her most notable influence was that of Aunt Dolly who, too, learned how to create lyrically beautiful songs through her mother Avie Lee’s love of music. Creatively uniting Country with Pop well before we were ready, Dolly Parton also successfully infuses elements of traditional Appalachian music with an uproarious knee-slapping, toe-tapping Bluegrass vibe that we’ve long adored.
Though Star likens her own music styling with that of indie pop/rock artists like Florence Welch’s who possesses a narrative nature, Star’s voice delivers a lilting quality that is both familial and unique; restrained, but strategically set down in a song, just so.
Her grandmother would often retell seemingly wild stories people had shared, throughout Star’s childhood. Star reveals, “I want to be that artist who can tell those incredible stories, and make someone listening to my music feel like these women make me feel when they tell me stories.”
Star grew up very shy, articulating her thoughts through poems and stories, when at 14 her mother gave her a guitar, adding that it was time now to write songs. Not having played any instrument, Star remembers it feeling like being thrown into the deep end and learning to swim out of necessity. “Writing music and playing guitar is a family thing,” her mama told her. She had then discovered a new way to express herself.
It was this time when good friend Rachael Blackwood encouraged Star to try out for Metro Nashville Chorus; an experience that changed her life. Her new group of friends lifted her up, helped her feel like she was part of something. This is also where she gives credit to learning controlled use of her vibrato.
During the years when Star was pursuing a degree in psychology, Dolly offered her an opportunity to take a part in a new show at Dollywood. Though terrified of disappointing her, she considered that her aunt wouldn’t have asked if she didn’t think she could do it. This experience was a game changer for Star, when she realized that she could be a voice for people through music.
Comparing herself to that of a sponge, soaking up the stories of others, either in person or in books, or musicals, Star would write about other people’s experiences, then translate those feelings into song, to help anyone having a hard time expressing themselves on their own.
Star reflects back, “My grandmother taught me that it was a gift to be a sponge, which she called being tender. That’s just one of God’s gifts that you’ve been given. She helped me a lot to understand myself.”
In 2024 Star collaborated with Dolly on one of the singles “The Orchard” from her 50th studio album Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables, released under Owepar Entertainment. Star explains that it’s a song about the beauty of family and an intergenerational connection.
Songs on her first solo album united years of her music, stretching back to when she was 17, including single “Tell Me I’m Your Angel” released in 2023, and re-released April of this year, under Owepar Records and Universal Music. Star reminisces, “Whenever I hear that track I can picture that girl back then. I’m happy to tell myself that we’re not that much different these years later, but glad that I’m not as fragile as I once was.”
Also released single, “Keeper of My Heart” asks if you are okay with this person who has a lot to share? Described as being about being vulnerable with the people that you’re willing to open up to. “I want people to feel something from my music. I want my music to maybe help shoulder some of the burden. I want people to feel comfortable talking about or feeling some of the feelings that are hard to feel. Because it’s good for us to feel,” she adds.
Star admits that most inspiration for her music pops into her head while doing something else. Star recalls, “Dolly told me that the songs that we write aren’t for us, they’re for other people. Messages that they need to hear.” Whether any songs come to Jada randomly, or in a scheduled session, she understands the import of any lyric.
Star opens up about her time on ABC’s Claim to Fame television show, “When the producers for Claim to Fame contacted me, I reached out to my aunt Dolly, and asked if she thought that it was a good idea for me to take part. She said, “”I think that you will do great. And I think that you should do it. I have faith in you.”” I had to remind myself, I might be afraid to do this, but I will anyway because I need to. I need to be an example for my son, and because I still think of my grandma telling me, “God doesn’t put the opportunities in front of you for you to waste them, even if it’s scary.””
As they started filming, Star Initially had an overwhelming sense of imposter syndrome. Acknowledging that making herself available for scrutiny, was a big leap out of her comfort zone. She was scared, as well as lonely, being away from her family for a month.
After settling in, it became a beautiful experience for her, one enjoyed with new friends. She learned that the minute you put yourself in a public situation you’re going to have people who will say things that aren’t positive. When reading unfavorable comments, something clicked in her brain to remind herself that these were strangers reacting to a character on a television show they’re watching.The reminder to not worry about what others opinions were was a cathartic release. Others on the show went through the same experience, and found themselves supporting one another. Looking back at the season, there were vulnerabilities revealed that Star observed, that she learned about herself, but what was more enlightened by the discovery that there are far more things that she could do than she thought she could. That was an unexpected takeaway. Star reveals, “I’m glad I did that. I didn’t expect to come away with so much from that.” Admitting that participating turned out to be enjoyable enough to consider doing more reality television, if asked.
This year Star joined the Women’s Music Business Association, an exclusive professional organization dedicated to furthering opportunities for women in the music industry. Since becoming involved, Star has met a generation of younger girls that lift eachother up, and have worked so hard to achieve so much so early in their lives. Though part of the Gen X era, she has found her place in the group, as a mentor, while being part of a sisterhood. Star loves being able to share her own experiences, and advice on traversing the industry.
Star shares, “I would be so grateful if I could be seen as a role model. I had a lot of those growing up. I feel like even just being a support person to give others an extra cheerleader can take them to even more amazing places.”
Star is passionate about creating a little network of people who try to help one another out, with a primary focus not only on women, minorities, and the queer community, but also young artists that are unique and may need a little boost. Star adds, “I want to try to help have us all have a little family and a soft place for people to come fall and learn from each other.”
In her free time, Jada, Bryan, and her son love adventures, to just drive to find little treasures in places that you don’t expect to find them in. Unlike a typical married couple, Star lovingly jokes, “Bryan and I are like two, 14-yr old boy best friends that are going to live together forever, because we play video games together at night like Magic the Gathering, and Dungeons and Dragons. Games that require imagination like that are important to keep up sharp, and helps me as a writer because I’m creating stories on the spot, like improv.”
One of Jada’s favorite places to go to listen to live music in town is Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, explaining that within this space you’ll always hear an amazing band, and feel welcome.
To be out and about, her favorite retreat is at the Parthenon. She happily takes in a day of walking in the park, enjoying good eats from the food trucks, while listening to a variety of talented musicians demonstrating their craft. On occasion when she stops to feed the ducks and squirrels, and blocks out all else but the sounds of nature, Jada admits to feeling, but for a moment, a little like Snow White.
In her poignant response to understand what influences Jada Star’s music, “Over the years, I have been deeply affected by how much it has meant to my aunt Dolly to share things with people about our family, and about people that we love. I’ve seen the profound impact that it has had on people. I know that she shares these personal stories for people who maybe feel alone, or for those who don’t have family that support them, that they might feel as if they’re part of ours. I never want anybody to not feel accepted. I hope that I convey that message in my music. I think that’s always been a big part of our whole family philosophy. Everyone’s welcome.”
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