Country music star Jo Dee Messina is kicking off her 2025 touring season with one of her first shows Saturday at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center.

Messina’s breakout song, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” released in 1996, made her a household name and she went on to achieve nine number one hits and 16 Top 40 songs. Her last single, “Just to Be Loved,” was released in July 2023.

She received two Grammy Awards nominations, including Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “That’s The Way” in 2001 and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Bring on the Rain” with Tim McGraw in 2002.

Her success made her the first female in country music history to celebrate three consecutive multi-week, chart-topping songs, according to information on SKyPAC’s website.

Born in Holliston, Massachusetts, Messina moved to Nashville at 19 and has resided there ever since. Her close proximity to Bowling Green has allowed her to travel through the area often.

“I actually got my start in Daysville, Kentucky, on a radio show called ‘Live at Libby’s,’ ” she said.

Daysville is located in Todd County, about 36 miles from Bowling Green, so Messina said coming to perform in Bowling Green “is like going home” for her.

Messina, also the founder of Dreambound Records, said her interest in country music began when she was a child.

“I would lock myself up in my room and listen to music,” she said.

When she was 13 or 14, she began performing and when she was college-age, she said she had a decision to make.

“I had to decide whether to go to college or take my chances and move to Nashville,” she said. “So I decided to move to Nashville and go for it in the music business.”

Messina said she is looking forward to beginning the first part of her tour in Bowling Green and said she likes to joke with others about what the first shows of her tours are like.

“It’s fun to come out and see all the mistakes we make in the beginning,” she said.

She said most of her shows are scheduled on weekends because she has children still in school but “we will do longer runs in the summer.”

As far as what the audience can expect, she said they have put together set list staples and what songs are performed depends on the night.

“It’s got some of the familiar hits like ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ and ‘I’m Alright,’ ” she said. “It’s also got some new songs and the stories behind them. There will be something for everybody. Whether you know the music or not, we have fun on stage, and when we’re having fun, that extends out into the audience.”

Tickets can be purchased at theskypac.com.