Even now, three years after the release of her EP “Restless & Reckless,” country artist Jessikah Stahl describes herself as a living room singer.
“I used a vacuum cleaner as a microphone,” Stahl, a Tennessee native who moved to Plant City last year, said. “I never sang in front of people.”
On Saturday, June 18, Stahl will take the stage at Plant City’s Krazy Kup for the third time. The local coffeehouse is a venue where she has found fans and a place to call home.
The show is a day before Father’s Day, giving Stahl good reason to perform the song “Step Dad,” which she describes as the premise for her album.
“I think it takes one person to believe in your career,” Stahl said. “And that was my stepdad.”
Since Day One
Stahl’s stepdad, Dave Shanower, first came into her life when she was 2 years old.
Her mother, Kim, had decided to remodel the family kitchen. Shanower was the contractor for the job. After meeting him, Kim decided to remodel the entire house.
The couple was married three years later in their backyard on a farm 10 minutes from Nashville.
“I wasn’t excited because I didn’t want my mom’s attention taken away,” Stahl said. “But it’s the best decision she ever made, besides having me and my brother.”
The two were happily married for 20 years before Kim Stahl died of breast cancer in 2010.
During her treatment, Shanower was Kim’s primary caretaker while looking after Stahl and taking care of her autistic brother, Josh.
“He was so in love with her the whole time, just doting on her and taking care of her,” Stahl said. “He was just so supportive and proud of her. Through that whole process, he did all of the cooking and cleaning, and he worked. I think that’s the definition of love. You give, and you don’t expect anything in return.”
Since her mother’s death, Stahl and Shanower have maintained a close relationship.
“He’s awesome,” Stahl said. “He’s a really earnest and loyal man. There’s no judgement with him. He’s patient. He gave me hope that I can find somebody someday, just like the way that he treated my mom. After we went through this tragedy together, we got closer.”
It was that love and care that eventually led Stahl to write “Step Dad” as a Christmas gift for Shanower. The song, which she co-wrote with singer-songwriter Justin Addis, is featured on her EP. Stahl wrote the remainder of the songs on the album.
“I’m a storyteller,” Stahl said. “I know that I wouldn’t be all that I am without (Shanower) and his support along the way.”
Setting the Stage
After Step Dad was written, it still took some convincing for Stahl to put her music out to the world.
She performed the song privately for friend Jeff Giles. He encouraged her to perform and offered to pay for half of her record. He later became her manager for one year. Eventually, Stahl landed a gig on a tour, where she performed across Indianapolis, Chicago and Nashville.
“I grew up near Nashville,” Stahl said. “There’s so much competition there.”
Stahl’s found support in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. She moved to Plant City last year, after earning her Ph.D. in psychology from Clemson University. She accepted a job at Publix, where she serves as an industrial psychologist for the company’s human resources department.
“We measure cognitive ability and personality dimensions of applicants to determine if they’ll be successful,” Stahl said. “It’s an algorithm. It’s kind of like eHarmony.”
But Plant City doesn’t know her as Dr. Jessikah Stahl. Her fans at Krazy Kup know her as a country singer with powerhouse vocals and songs from the heart.
At Krazy Kup, between 50 to 60 fans usually pack the house when Stahl performs. She’s sold all 350 copies of her EP.
“I have had more success in Plant City than in any other area,” Stahl said.
Although Stahl describes herself as being quick-witted on stage, her lyrics have brought her audiences to tears.
“I’m real and honest,” Stahl said. “I just let people into my heart. When my mom was sick, I couldn’t really deal with it. I just partied and drank a lot.”
When Stahl struggled with her mom’s sickness, music was the way she expresed her emotions.
“When I turned 27 … I turned my lifestyle around,” Stahl said. “I stopped drinking and partying. I kind of just want to let (people) know that it’s OK to struggle.”
She’s grateful for a town that has allowed her to pursue her passion.
“It’s really Plant City’s that’s revived my soul,” Stahl said. “I love Plant City, I love being here. I didn’t do this by myself. I’m only as good as the people behind me.”
And while her fan base continues to grow, Stahl knows who her number one fan is: her stepdad.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.