The national anthem at the 2023 Indy 500 is being sung by singer/songwriter Jewel, a four-time Grammy Award nominee1.
Jewel Kilcher, known mononymously as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress, and author. She has received four Grammy Award nominations and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Jewel was born in Payson, Utah, and raised in Homer, Alaska, where she grew up singing and yodeling as a duo with her father, a local musician. At age fifteen, she received a partial scholarship at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where she studied operatic voice.
After graduating, Jewel embarked on her career in music. She played in various gigs around the country, often in coffeehouses, and eventually caught the attention of record companies. In 1995, she released her debut album, “Pieces of You,” which became one of the best-selling debut albums of all time, going 12 times platinum. The debut single from the album, “Who Will Save Your Soul,” peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100, and two others, “You Were Meant for Me” and “Foolish Games,” reached number two and seven respectively.
Over the years, Jewel’s music has spanned multiple genres. While her early work was primarily folk and singer-songwriter oriented, she explored country, pop, yodeling, and blues in her subsequent albums. Some of her popular albums include “Spirit” (1998), “This Way” (2001), and “Goodbye Alice in Wonderland” (2006).
Jewel is also known for her philanthropic efforts. She established the Higher Ground for Humanity Foundation with her mother and older brother in 1999. The foundation focuses on education, sustainable improvements, and building alliances with like-minded organizations. She has also been an advocate for mental health, having openly discussed her own experiences with anxiety and homelessness.
In addition to her music and philanthropy, Jewel has pursued acting and writing. She has appeared in a number of films and television shows and has authored several books, including an autobiography and a children’s book.
In conclusion, Jewel is a multi-talented artist with a successful career in music and a passion for philanthropy. Her performance of the national anthem at the 2023 Indy 500 will add another milestone to her impressive career.