Four weeks ago, a Taylor Swift mash up was uploaded to YouTube. Although it certainly is not the only Taylor Swift medley floating around the internet, it is one that hits close to home. Jessica Williams is a sister of Alpha Delta Pi and a student at Auburn University, and her mash up went viral in less than a week with over 24k views. Jessica and her sister Kendall used 14 of Swift's songs, both old and new. They have now reached over 53k views on YouTube.
I met Jessica in August as Auburn started recruitment week. Looking back, we didn't ever really meet. She took a gap year during my freshman year and so this was literally the first time I had ever seen her. I had heard stories of the girl with a killer voice who left to go pursue her dreams in Nashville, but I just shrugged it off as another girl who thinks she's got it. I was so wrong. We stood next to each other as we practiced for the upcoming week and instead of doing the whole, "Hi, I'm Jessica," thing she skipped right to laughing and having a good time.
Her contagious smile and ability to skip past awkward situations let me know she was special, but again, I was hesitant to believe that she was that good of a singer. I obviously need to work on trusting people, because it didn't matter how many people told me she was wonderful, I was still unsure. Well, I was unsure until I heard her myself. Jessica sang for one of our recruitment parties, and I was shocked — she was good. Well, more than good, she was truly amazing. Throughout this year, she has sung at different coffee houses and events around campus, and she never ceases to amaze me.
I asked Jessica why she decided to create the mash up, and she responded with a very nonchalant answer. Jessica’s sister is a student at Belmont University and showed her a video of another duo’s efforts of creating a perfect ode to T. Swift. After seeing that, they decided to put together their own. They chose a few of their favorite songs and started trying to mix them together. Well, they did it, recorded it and shared it, and it has taken off. What seemed to be a just-for-fun video turned into a hit!
When I asked Jessica about her music career, she explained that she took the year off from school last year to explore the music industry in Nashville. She lived on her own and made her own connections, including co-writing multiple songs. She said she loved doing it and she wouldn’t trade it for the world, but that it also really encouraged her to finish her degree here at Auburn to further her success. At the moment, she isn’t sure where exactly her career will go, but she’s trusting that the Lord has a plan. She is creating her first EP at the moment which should be completed around May. For those of you as naïve to musical terminology as I am, EP stands for extended play and is basically just a mini album. Her music is already available on iTunes and when the EP is finished it will be too!
All in all, she said, “I’m just grateful that the Lord has blessed me and my sister with the gift of music, and I’m hoping that the Taylor Swift video and my EP bring glory to His name!” Jessica is not only a talented artist, but also a kind hearted person. She makes all feel welcome and loved.
Honestly, I am just waiting on the moment she makes it big. I'm so excited for what the world has to offer for this Greek of the Week!
