On Oct. 22, Lancaster-based music group The Jess Zimmerman Band won the Album of the Year award at the eighth annual Josie Music Awards in Nashville. The band's album "Breathe" garnered the award in the country rock and Southern rock category, and the band itself was also nominated for awards in four other categories: Music Video of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Fan's Choice Award and Rock Vocalist of the Year. The Jess Zimmerman Band comprises frontwoman Jess Heitz, guitarist Joe Barszowski, bassist John Knobler and drummer Joe Mattis, and has concerts scheduled for the spring in Holtwood and Millersville.

The awards ceremony was hosted at the Grand Ole Opry, a nationally known American country music venue that has been in operation for almost a century. "I was blown away that we were nominated in five categories," Heitz said. "To win Album of the Year in such an iconic place was incredible."

Each year, the Josie Music Awards recognize specifically independent artists, meaning they aren't signed to a record label, so they handle things like recording, producing, touring and marketing themselves. Although well-traveled in the Lancaster and greater Pennsylvania country music scene, The Jess Zimmerman Band's success as an independent group has also taken it across the East Coast, Midwest and South.

"When it comes to 'Breathe,' the album itself was a monumental step for us as a band," Heitz said. "It was also a big step for me emotionally and physically." The Jess Zimmerman Band independently released "Breathe" in May 2021, following a flurry of recording sessions. The band members stayed in Nashville for five days, during which they recorded and mixed each of the 11 songs on the record. "It was a lot of work from start to finish. Sometimes we would be at the studio from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. working on these songs," Heitz said. "Breathe" is The Jess Zimmerman Band's first full-length album.

Heitz grew up on a dairy farm in Ephrata and currently lives in Mount Joy with her husband. Her musical career began at a young age; she would perform at local fairs, talent shows, church services and school events growing up. "Everyone has a dream when it comes to music, but if I were able to go back and tell my younger self that it would be flourishing, I don't think she'd believe me," said Heitz.

The Jess Zimmerman Band has multiple shows in Lancaster approaching after the new year: on Friday, Jan. 13, the group will perform at Phantom Power, 121 W. Frederick St., Millersville; on Friday, Feb. 10, it will take the stage at Mickey's Black Box, 101 Rock Lititz Blvd., Lititz; and on Friday, March 24, it will perform at Southern Lancaster County Farmer-Sportsmen's Association, 573 Hilldale Road, Holtwood. "There's an amazing music scene in central Pennsylvania, and we hope to connect with people all over, too," Heitz said. "Our biggest goal is to reach and impact people in whatever way we can. That's what 'Breathe' was for me."

To purchase tickets or listen to The Jess Zimmerman Band online, visit http://www.jzband.org/.