I’ve been cooking for as long as I have been singing, which is simply as long as I can remember. Singing in church and sitting counter-side helping my mama and grandmothers cook taught me a lot about life. When I sing, I love to see the real emotion on people’s faces as I sing a song. In the same tone, I adore hearing the pleasure in people’s voices when I have cooked something that brings joy and comfort to their hearts.
My passion is in bringing people together to experience life. The kitchen table (or kitchen counter) is a place where people gather to talk, cry, laugh and share memories. I experience this same thing when I am on stage looking out at a crowd of people who are sharing an experience together. That is what life is about and my hope is that you can bring beautifully shared experiences into your home and relationships. Whether it’s grieving loss over a meal, celebrating a milestone with a favorite treat or hosting a cocktail hour because you just need a reason to dress up, I want you to experience it all to the absolute fullest.
Why “Oh Gussie?”
Growing up in a small north-Georgia town, this was a normal saying and it wasn’t until I moved away that I realized it’s not as “normal” as I once thought. It’s a phrase I became known for saying and still do to this day. It can be used when you’re surprised, excited, confused or mad- it can even replace certain choice words. It’s a versatile saying and it captures a moment’s emotion perfectly. So, a few years back when I was trying to decide the name of my cookbook, Little Big Town’s manager enthusiastically suggested, “Oh Gussie” because I always said it. It just stuck and here we are years later!
