Photo: Madison Sharp
Jo Dee Messina confirmed the release date of her upcoming studio album — her first record in more than a decade — in an announcement on Friday morning (April 10).
Messina’s newest project, Bridges, reflects “10 years' worth of seasons rolled up into one,” states a press release, including “the love, the life, the pain, the fight, the learning — and the living through it all.” In addition to her album announcement, the award-winning country powerhouse also debuted the second single from Bridges, “Don’t Let Them Hide Your Beautiful.” She wrote the bright, empowering ballad with Blessing Offor and David Spencer.
“I want to give people hope instead of tearing them down—I want to encourage them to shine,” Messina said in a statement on Friday morning. “I’ve walked that road and felt that burn. I know the heartache of trying to be who others expect you to be.”
“Oh, don’t let ‘em hide your beautiful/ Don’t let ‘em change the shape of your star/ They’ll make you doubt the miracle/ That makes you who you are/ Yeah, you were made to be different/ Dancing outside the lines/ Don’t go and start listening/ Step out where you can shine/ Don’t let them hide your beautiful”
“Don’t Let Them Hide Your Beautiful” follows “Some Bridges,” the fiery debut single from Messina’s upcoming record. She released it last month, and shared while catching up with iHeartCountry it started by wondering, “‘What if that bridge is meant to be burned?’ What if it’s a bridge that leads to an abusive situation? A relationship that demoralizes you? A person that takes you for granted? Someone that makes you filled with self-doubt? …Burn it! …maybe it’s time for you to just break out of that and find who you are.’”
Messina wrote “Some Bridge” with Kat Higgins and James T. Slater, and it was mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, who mixed “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and more of Messina’s 90s hits. She told iHeartCountry that Bridges “runs the gamut,” with tracks that are “covering a whole lot.” Bridges will take listeners on a journey that covers love, life, pain, fight, learning and living.
“When they [fans] listen to the album, I hope they feel seen, first of all, and not alone in this life because everybody hurts and everybody celebrates,” Messina said. “(There are) tons of topics on the record. I hope they feel hopeful and seen and understood.
“I’m entering into the phase with extreme gratitude,” she added later. “(I’m) just excited. It’s like, ‘oh my gosh, I get to do this. This is great.’”
Bridges will release on June 5.
Listen to “Don’t Let Them Hide Your Beautiful” here:
Jo Dee Messina On Tour:
Apr 23, 2026 - Blue Gate Performing Arts Center - Shipshewana, IN
Apr 24, 2026 - Packard Music Hall - Warren, OH
May 07, 2026 - Prairie Band Great Lakes Ballroom - Mayetta, KS
May 08, 2026 - Mystic Showroom - Prior Lake, MN
May 09, 2026 - Harrah's Stir Concert Cove - Council Bluffs, IA
May 28, 2026 - Timber Rock Amphitheatre - Farmington, PA
May 29, 2026 - Holiday Trav-L-Park - Virginia Beach, VA
May 30, 2026 - Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges - Roanoke, VA
Jun 11, 2026 - The Bluestone - Columbus, OH
Jun 12, 2026 - Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center - Carteret, NJ
Jun 13, 2026 - Bowl in the Pines - Sidney, ME
Jun 18, 2026 - American Music Theatre - Lancaster, PA
Jun 19, 2026 - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom - Hampton, NH
Jun 20, 2026 - Foxwoods Resort Casino - Ledyard, CT
Jul 10, 2026 - Hodag Country Festival - Rhinelander, WI
Jul 17, 2026 - Saddle Up for St. Jude - Tuscumbia, AL
Jul 23, 2026 - Canyon County Fair - Caldwell, ID
Jul 24, 2026 - Mountain America Center - Idaho Falls, ID
Jul 25, 2026 - Cheyenne Frontier Days - Cheyenne, WY
Aug 06, 2026 - Streator Fest - Streator, IL
Aug 07, 2026 - Effingham County Fair - Altamont, IL
Aug 14, 2026 - Batavia Downs - Batavia, NY
Aug 29, 2026 - Cali Country Cruise 2026 - Long Beach, CA
Sep 05 - Lake County Round-Up - Lakeview, OR
Sep 06, 2026 - Twin Falls County Fair - Filer, ID
Oct 10, 2026 - GreyStone Amphitheater - Douglasville, GA
Nov 06, 2026 - The Truth - Nashville, TN