JamisonPriest is a singer-songwriter duo based in Abilene, Texas, and plays at festivals, coffeehouses, pubs, and other places that desire great lyrics and a roots approach to music. JamisonPriest performs as a DUO
with two acoustic guitars, harmonica, and two voices; or as a TRIO
with two acoustic guitars, bass, harmonica, and three voices. All
three members are singers and songwriters. JamisonPriest has toured around
Texas, and has branched out to other states.
JamisonPriest's two main goals are to preserve the foundation of the folk/roots movement with unique renditions of traditional music, and to add to that foundation with their own well-crafted songs. JamisonPriest has charmed and impressed audiences with their story songs and intricate harmonies, and has developed a dedicated grassroots following. Music lovers of all ages enjoy their music. They are poet-singers with a refreshing sound for listening audiences.
Ed was the Grand Prize winner at the 2012 McMurry University Singer-Songwriter Competition. JamisonPriest was nominated for 2007 Best Local Artist on The Appetizer on KACU. Jenni was named 2004 Favorite Female Vocalist by the Abilene Reporter News. JamisonPriest was one of ten regional acts selected in the 2002 Kerville Folk Festival New Folk competition.
JamisonPriest's fourth album was released in 2019. Garfield Avenue is the long-awaited collection of 16 original songs and 3 covers. It includes songs about travel, love, and life reflection.
JamisonPriest released its third album in 2006. Dreams I'll Never Know is a contemplative folk/roots album and an exploration of life themes; love, disappointment, loneliness, and searching. Inspiration was taken from personal experience and from historical events in Texas and the U.S. including the tragic life of Cynthia Ann Parker; the 1937 school explosion in New London, Texas; and a life changed by the attack on Pearl Harbor. It contains ten songs written by members of the band, one by fellow roots musician Greg Young, a folk-rock rendition of a song by John Fogerty, and a remake of a song originally recorded by The Kingston Trio. "Dreams I'll Never Know shows the maturity of the trio's musicianship and song-writing ability." D. Grant Smith (The Creative Pulse).
The band's second album was We Called Ourselves Poets. Released in 2004, it includes ten songs written by members of the band, two by fellow Abilene roots musicians, and four covers. It includes audience favorites "Three-Quarter Time," "Ten Degrees and Getting Colder," "Sun Valley," and "December." The album was featured on the My Texas Music website and played on local radio in Abilene. My Texas Music selected “Ten Degrees and Getting Colder” for inclusion in their 2005 Radio Ready, Vol.2 compilation album.
JamisonPriest's first album Leave Your Blues was released in 2001 and includes ten original songs and two covers.
In addition to three independently released albums, JamisonPriest has contributed to many other projects. JamisonPriest was a contributing artist (recording ‘The Jewel of Abilene’) on the CD included with the book "The Women There Don't Treat You Mean: Abilene in Song" written by Joe W. Specht. Released in 2006, the book gives a behind the scenes look at all the songs written about Abilene. JamisonPriest recorded the jingle for igospelradio.com, and added harmonies on albums released by three other Texas artists; Greg Young, Nick Fessler, and the Hogg Maulies.
