Unlike many teenagers, I only had fond memories of my high school years, and my parents never had to worry about me getting into trouble because I spent most of my time listening to Jump, making other people listen to them, going to their concerts, trying to start their fan club, and learning to make my own music. I’d always loved singing (in private), but I didn’t become a musician until Jump came into my life. I was so inspired by them that I was no longer content just listening to music…I needed to make my own, so I started writing songs at the age of 16 and learned how to play the guitar and keyboard. I wanted to be a singer-songwriter, but as someone who has always been fairly shy, the idea of performing in front of people was pretty scary, so I took a musical theatre class in college in order to learn how to perform for an audience. I was insanely nervous the first time I had to perform for the class, but by the end of the semester, I was routinely volunteering to go first and ended up taking the class two more times because I loved having an audience. I got to hear other people singing a song I wrote in my Scene to Song class (which was an awesome feeling), and I’ve written two musicals…and none of this would’ve happened if Jump hadn’t inspired me to start writing songs.
Jump was a huge part of my life from 1995-2005, so of course I was heartbroken when they announced that the Dock Street concert on December 30, 2005, would be their last. (There were lots of tears…the only other times I’ve cried that much were when my pets have died and when Arrested Development got canceled.) Though I didn’t get to see them anymore, I never found another band that I loved as much as Jump, so ten years after the last time I saw them, they’re still my favorite band. The day they announced their reunion tour was one of the happiest days of my life, and I’m overjoyed that I’ll be able to see them at the Dock Street Theatre this year (two days before my birthday, so BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!). This band means so much to so many people, and they’re easy to love not just because they’re amazing musicians, but because they’re genuinely great people who truly appreciate their fans.
Jump, Little Children helped make me who I am today, and though my dream career changed from singer-songwriter to playwright/comedy writer, listening to lots of Jump music lately has made me want to focus on music again. I started writing songs again, am learning a new instrument (ukulele…and my favorite song to play happens to be Jump’s “Mexico”), and my husband and I are seriously considering starting the world’s first husband and wife theremin-ukulele duo. (I’m assuming we’d be the first because why would that already be a thing?)
Thank you, Jump, for inspiring me. Thank for teaching me to always do what I love and encouraging me to never give up. Thank you for the wonderful music and the memories I’ll always treasure. Thank you for doing this reunion tour and giving your fans a chance to see their favorite band again. Thank you for everything.