A chat with Asheville’s American Idol contender

Posted on by Jason Sandford

Jesse Barry wants folks to know up front that there’s one thing she can’t really talk about, and that’s American Idol, exactly the topic that everyone wants to talk with her about.

Since the recent debut of season 9 of the hit talent show, excitement has been building around Barry’s chances at getting on the show. Views last week briefly saw Barry take home a ticket to Hollywood after auditions in Atlanta. But because of the show’s confidentiality rules, Barry can’t talk about it.

But the skinny teen with the big bluesy voice can talk about her love of music. Saturday night, before a performance at Tall Gary’s College Street Pub, the 17-year-old Barry chatted about how she got her start singing at the tender age of 9. Next up for Barry is a trip with her band, Skinny Legs & All, to Memphis to compete in a blues showcase.

Listen to Barry and her mother, Tami’Lu, in the video clips below. Click here to see a photo gallery from the show. And click here and here to see videos of Skinny Legs & All’s performance.

— Jason Sandford, multimedia editor

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2 thoughts on “A chat with Asheville’s American Idol contender”

  1. boatrocker

    Good luck to her in the sincerest way.

    Too bad her band who works just as hard won’t be featured on “American Idol” because the show only showcases vocalists.

    What talent competition (nationally) would allow her to play with her band and let them (the band) be interviewed? Inquiring minds would love to know.

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