Jenny Jackson

Jennifer Melanie Jackson (born May 7, 1973) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress. Born in, and raised in the Manitoba– border town of , she began her career in 1995 at the age of 21 after winning a contest organized by  radio. Jackson's breakthrough occurred in 1999, when her single "Stay With Me" became a major crossover hit, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Adult Alternative Airplay charts and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in her native Canada. The success of "Stay With Me" led to a record deal with Maverick Records Nashville and the release of her third studio album Blue Moon.

Jackson portrayed the character Hanna in the 1998 film Orange. She has also provided both the speaking and singing voices for the character Charlie in the animated series Mole Miner (2001–2007, 2020–present).

Early life
Jennifer Melanie Jackson was born on May 7, 1973 in, , at , but was raised in , a mining town on the Manitoba– border. She is the second daughter of Aliza Pateman and Tyler Smith Jackson. She is of English, Irish, and Spanish descent. She attended Hapnot Collegiate Institute in Flin Flon.

In 1994, she returned to her birthplace of Winnipeg to attend the. During this time, she was convinced by her high school music teacher to enter a contest looking for "Future Canadian Country Stars". Jackson applied, sending in her original composition "Quiet Talk". "Quiet Talk" was the winning entry of the contest, and after graduation, she decided to focus on her music career, relocating to,.

1995-1998: Hourglass and I Won't Back Down
Jackson released her debut single, "Hourglass", in 1995 under. The album, Hourglass, earned Jackson a nomination for Country Female Vocalist of the Year at the Juno Awards. Her next album, I Won't Back Down, was released in 1998 and featured a cover of the song of the same name as it's title track. Both albums were produced by at.