Jewel (singer)

 Jewel was born in Homer, Alaska, where she grew up singing and yodeling with her father, a local musician. She was just 15 when she was awarded a part-time scholarship to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan. She studied operatic voice. She began performing in clubs and coffeehouses in San Diego after she graduated from high school. In response to local media attention, she was given a recording contract with Atlantic Records, which released her debut album, Pieces of You, in 1995; it became one of the most successful debut albums ever, reaching 12 times platinum. "Who Will Save Your Soul" is the first single, peaked at 11 in the Billboard Hot 100. Two other singles, "You Were Meant For Me" and "Foolish Games" also reached the top two on the Billboard Hot 100. They were included on Billboard's chart of singles for the year 1998. This Way (2001) was her second album. In 2003, she released 0304, which marked a departure from her previous records that were primarily folk-oriented, featuring electronic arrangements and elements of dance-pop. Perfectly Clear was her first country album. It was released at the top of the Billboard's Top Country Albums charts in 2008. The album included three tracks: "Stronger Woman", I Do, and "Til it's like cheating". In 2009, Jewel released Lullaby, her first album that she released independently.