Jenn Franklin: Getting an early start
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Growing up in “the middle of nowhere” in Kansas, Jenn Franklin’s only outlet was playing with bands in the biker bars.
She first started when she was but 12 years old, far too young to even be in the places she was playing.
“I had a pretty mature voice and I looked older than I was,” she said, “so I was able to get into bands without too much trouble.
“The other musicians were always a little bit skeptical when they first heard how young I was, but once they heard me, they took me in and watched out for me.
“Of course, my parents always tagged along.”
By that time, however, she was already an experienced songwriter, having started a songwriting group at her elementary school in the fourth grade. She and her colleagues were confident enough in their abilities that they looked in the Hays, Kansas, phone book for recording studios and sent in a dozen songs, certain that they would be the next big thing. And amazingly enough, she got some of her songs recorded.
“I don’t know if prodigy is an accurate word, but I was obsessed by music and getting recorded,” she said.
“When I got to Hays, they sat me down and wanted to know where I got my inspiration, but I didn’t have an answer. It just came out of me from listening to Top 40 radio and trying to sound like what I was hearing. I knew all the cliches and knew how to put a song togehter.”
Even now, she says, she can look back at some of those first songs and see how they got the attention they did.
“The lyrics weren’t great, but the melodies were strong,” she said. “I didn’t have a whole lot of experience or influence to draw from. Later, I learned how to find more within myself.”
She eventually made her way to Nashville, which she felt was centrally-located for what she wanted to do with her music, and she frequently performs at festivals like MidPoint Music Festival, where she’ll play at the Pizza Bar, 1207 Main St., 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
how to go
WHAT: MidPoint Music Festival
WHERE: Various venues in downtown Cincinnati
WHEN: Continues through Saturday
COST: $10 one-day all-venue wristband; $25 three-day all-venue wristband; $100 full delegate badge
MORE INFO: (877) 572-8690; www.mpmf.com
