Written by Josie Bisto
Jana Kramer was an actress long before she hit country radio. The country sensation with a killer voice and stunning smile starred in The CW hit television series One Tree Hill. The show aired 9 seasons from 2005 until 2012. Although Kramer’s character didn’t arrive until 2009 for season 7, she was well known by adoring fans. Jana played the regular role Alex Dupre; a mischievous fashion diva with a sassy attitude who we later learned in season 8, also had one heck of a voice.
One Tree Hill would play a key role in the launch of Jana’s music career; signing with Elektra Records in February 2011, her first single “I Won’t Give Up” premiered on the show the following month reaching #75 on Billboard’s Top 100 chart. In April, the show featured another song “Whiskey”, which would later hit #25 on Billboard’s US Country Airplay after being released on Jana’s self-titled 2012 debut album “Jana Kramer”.
The debut single off the album titled “Why Ya Wanna” peaked at #3 on both Billboard’s US Country Airplay and US Hot Country Songs and received positive praise from critics. Jana’s second album “Thirty One” was released in 2015. “Love” followed by “I Got the Boy” were released as singles and charted #32 and #6 on Billboard’s US Country Airplay respectively. The album was certified gold by the RIAA. Jana took home the ACM Award for Top New Female Artist the following year.
32 year old Jana Kramer likes to keep herself busy. Earlier this year in January, Kramer welcomed baby girl Jolie Rae to the world. She later signed on as a cast member with ABC’s hit series Dancing With The Stars for it’s 23rd season. She is paired with pro dance instructor Gleb Savchenko. Kramer sprained a rib muscle during rehearsals for last Monday’s premiere episode and was later rushed to urgent care, where doctor’s advised her not to dance in tonight’s second episode.
However, Jana plans on dancing anyway for tonight’s “TV Night” theme and has a special message to her former One Tree Hill fans; “this dance is for you!”. She will be dancing to the show’s theme song “I Don’t Wanna Be”, Gavin DeGraw’s 2x RIAA Platinum hit.
Be sure to check out Jana’s live performance tonight, Monday, September 19th, on ABC at 8/7c.
Keep up to date with everything Jana on her website janakramer.com and by following her on her social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
