2002 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI NOMINEE

Betsy Jill Jackson, class of 1979

After graduating magna cum laude from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Betsy followed her heart and ears to the twinkling lights of Nashville to pursue her dreams of being a singer, songwriter and producer. 

Shortly after settling in, Betsy joined forces with writer urn Foitz and together, they penned “Can I Rest Awhile With You?” The song, which was recorded by The Limelighters’ front-man, artist Glenn Yarborough, formally announced Betsy’s arrival in Music City, and served as a solid foundation on which to launch her career. 

Listening to ASCAP's* Betsy Jackson, you might find your ears drifting back to the late 60’s and early 70’s Greenwich Village. Falling somewhere between Carole King, Carly Simon and lanis Ian, Jackson’s achingly beautiful lyrics and melodies are a sublime reminder that artistic integrity is alive and well. 

“I process feelings down to my bones,” Jackson says, “and out comes the translated material into my language of understanding: music. From current events and the books I read, to hearing how the human experience is affecting those closest to me, these are things that influence my writing.” 

Betsy’s knack for articulating the human experience landed her a three-year publishing deal with “With Any Luck Music.” Shortly after, however, Betsy struck gold, literally, when country megastar Randy Travis recorded her song, “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe”. The album has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide and has been placed in the permanent collection at the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

With two cuts under her belt, and demo production credits to her name, more people started to sit up and take notice of Betsy’s work. After hearing some of her productions, Jackson was approached by the independent Christian label, Tyrol Hills Records, to produce their artist, Marilyn Sellars. With some hesitation, Jackson took the project. “When the owner of the record label asked me to do an inspirational project, my head was saying “no” even though I was knowingly on a spiritual journey and very overwhelmed. Out of my mouth came “YES!” and shortly after, I wrote “Rise Above,” which Marilyn chose to cut for the Love Lifted Me album.” 

Most music industry people will tell you that the songwriter’s life is not an easy one, especially in Nashville. Jackson has managed to survive Music Row, is still actively involved in writing and still has artists covering her songs. In fact, last year, Christian artist Brenda Russell recorded Jackson’s “Empty Cup.” “Betsy,” says her mother Mary Lou (Piatt) Jackson, Bexley Class of “44, “must have been destined to go into music. Her older brother Fred, ‘68 and sister Leslee (Jackson) Gantner ‘66 had to turn down their music so she wouldn’t break her neck dancing in her playpen at age 10 months.” 

Jackson has co-written songs with Garth Brooks, has shared the stage with Vince Gill, Holly Dunn, Kathy Mattea, Jan15 Ian and Waylon Jennings. She also enjoys singing back-up vocals and has credit with Paul Overstreet on “Merry Christmas Mary,” released on an RCA Christmas compilation. Previously, she served as an alternate national board member of the Songwriter’s Guild of America, and as the chair of Its Nashville steering committee. Betsy is also a Pro Member of Nashville Songwriter’s Association international, where she has been involved as a workshop moderator. 

Currently, Jackson works in the Relations Department for Gibson Musical Instruments, and is a volunteer with the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Word and Music” program. Still in love with performing she ventures out into the Nashville nightclubs, particularly the Bluebird Cafe whenever possible. In her spare time she has been Involved In acting, both on and off screen. She lives with her cat Mickey in Nashville.