Jessi Kocher

Jessi began singing as soon as she could talk. At age three, her parents recognized her desire to be the center of attention at every possible public location and enrolled her in dance class. Around age 7, she began taking piano lessons and voice lessons. She regrets not continuing her piano training, but after two years she decided to focus her attention on dance and singing.

In high school she was a dance captain and section leader in two competitive show choirs. She also performed in the musicals, which led to her decision to major in Musical Theatre at James Madison University.

While at JMU, Jessi was featured in many mainstage and black box productions and was also a prominent member of the co-ed a cappella group The Overtones. She juggled two majors, rehearsals, private lessons, and time-consuming film projects. She graduated with honors in 2008 with a second major in Media Arts and Design. During the summers, she held performing jobs at various theatres and theme parks, including a breakthrough lead vocalist position at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg where she sang for thousands each night.

Upon graduation, she moved to St. Louis with her now-husband Brandon. She worked a slew of jobs before meeting Mike Schlipp one night when he played at Sub Zero, where she was working. After a few conversations he mentioned that his band might be looking for a female singer. Jessi “auditioned” at Cafe Eau and very soon after became a member of his popular Top 40′s/Party Jam cover band, My Friend Mike.

Jessi has been singing with My Friend Mike since February of 2010. In January 2011 she began teaching herself to play guitar. In July 2011 she booked her very first solo show and has been steadily playing ever since. Jessi is thrilled to join Butch Wax in January 2012 and excited to learn everything she can from the talented musicians that come together in this band. She’s excited for this next step and grateful every day that she makes music for a living.

Top 10 Favorite Songs
Into the Mystic, Van Morrison
Some Devil, Dave Matthews
Sunday Kind of Love, Etta James
Ophelia, The Band
All My Lovin’, The Beatles
Back to Black, Amy Winehouse
City, Sara Bareilles
It Ain’t Me Babe, Bob Dylan
Georgia on my Mind, Ray Charles
Jolene, Dolly Parton