Jessica Simpson played The Big Event (presented by Miller Lite beer) at the 16th Annual Country Thunder USA festival which took place yesterday on Shadow Hill Farm in Twin Lakes, WI and she brought along her boyfriend and Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo for support. Fortunately for her, Country music fans have been surprisingly receptive to Jess’s attempt at a career in Country music (her first single, Come On Over, is being well received on Country radio) and yesterday’s performance was her big coming out party. Here are a few pics from her appearance and performance at The Big Event:

When Jessica Simpson announced plans to go country after her last pop album flopped, there was a collective eye roll in Nashville. To some skeptics, it appeared to be a calculated move to follow in the footsteps of other pop stars who have found success by crossing over to country radio. After lackluster album sales, acting disappointments and bad press over her high-profile romances, Simpson certainly needed a boost. But “Come On Over,” Simpson’s debut single from her upcoming country album, is not only winning over those same skeptics, it’s gaining ground on country radio. A flirtatious, steel guitar-laced slice of pop country, the song has cracked the top 30 on Billboard’s country singles chart. “The best way to sum this up is what program directors have been telling our promotions staff: ‘I really wanted to hate this record, and I don’t. I love this,” said Tom Baldrica, vice president of marketing for her label, Sony BMG Nashville. Despite her crossover potential, that’s not what the label or the Texas-born Simpson seem to have in mind with the single, which was co-produced by John Shanks, who’s also worked with Sheryl Crow, Michelle Branch and Melissa Etheridge. “If other folks want to play it, we’re not telling them not to,” Baldrica said, “but our focus is on country. We want to make sure she’s in this format because this is where she belongs.” John Hart, a Nashville-based marketing researcher, says the song appeals to young, active listeners who are more likely to call radio stations and attend concerts and events. It tested in the top five in his online sampling the past few weeks and also did well in random telephone surveys that reach country’s more traditional base. “I don’t think people were anticipating the song to be that good,” said John Paul, program director at KUPL in Portland, Ore. His station has been playing the song for two weeks in light rotation. “It’s a good song regardless of who sings it, but having her sing it — whether you like her or hate her, everybody knows who Jessica Simpson is,” he said. “And I think there’s a lot of credibility that she co-wrote the song … Simpson comes to country after her last pop album was a commercial and critical failure — it sold just 299,000 cop-ies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album “Do You Know” is expected to be released in September; The title track was written by Dolly Parton, who sings background vocals. For her part, Simpson is promoting the song pretty much the same as any new country singer. She courted fans at last month’s Country Music Association festival in Nashville and will perform at state fairs and visit radio stations. “She’s done what a lot of newcomers and established stars have done by putting out fun, uptempo, put-the-top-down and cruise type songs,” remarked David Scarlett, senior editor of Country Weekly magazine. “It’s a great way to introduce herself. I think country audiences will be receptive based on the music they hear. If they like what they hear, they’re going to embrace her. And so far, she’s done very well.”

I may tease Jessica Simpson (incessantly) but for once I’m on board with her career plans. Jessica should’ve been a Country singer from the beginning … her vain attempt (mostly on her father’s part) to become the “next Britney Spears” back when Britney Spears ruled the world was doomed for failure from the get-go (I contend that Xtina Aguilera, who is a much stronger singer than both Jessica and Britney, couldn’t even topple Britney in when she was in her prime so what chance did Jessica really have?). This Country thing might actually work out for her very well. Teaming up with Dolly Parton is brills! I’m not a big Country fan (by any means) but I have a small place for it in my heart (living in Oklahoma gave me an appreciation for the stuff, I can’t lie) … I think it would be great if Jess found success at long last. Tho, she does have some stiff competition out there … Carrie Underwood is a force to be reckoned with (and you know there’s no love lost between Jessica and Carrie — who was Tony Romo’s last girlfriend) but, in the end, I guess I’m rooting for Jessica. Egads, I can’t even believe I’m saying this … but it’s true. Good luck, Jess, you may need it.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Jessica Simpson got her birthday celebratin’ started early this year … even tho she doesn’t turn 28 until Thursday, she and boyfriend Tony Romo got the party started last night. Jessimo made their way around the LA area last night, winding things up at Key Club where Tony took to the stage to sing with the metal cover band Steel Panther (the band formerly known as Metal Skool) and serenaded Jessica with their rendition of the Guns ‘N Roses classic song Sweet Child ‘O Mine … here are a few pics from inside Key Club last night:

Jessica Simpson isn’t avoiding her 28th birthday on Thursday – she’s already started celebrating. The singer – joined by close friends and family – indulged in her favorite cupcake flavor, red velvet, from Crumbs bakery. For dinner, Jessica and on-again beau Tony Romo went to Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, where they met up with her pregnant sister Ashlee and husband Pete Wentz. At one point, Ashlee and Jessica got on stage to sing with The Copycats, a cover band that was playing. The band serenaded Jessica with “Happy Birthday.” Following dinner, Jessica and Romo hit Key Club in West Hollywood to see Steel Panther (formerly known as Metal Skool). The Dallas Cowboys quarterback even tried his hand at singing the Guns n’ Roses hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine” to Jessica and the crowd.

Actress Vivica A. Fox, Rage Against the Machine singer Tom Morello and Hancock director Peter Berg were all also in the Key Club audience last night for Tony’s performance. It really sounds like things are back on track and in full swing for Jessimo. It takes a lot for a guy to get up on stage and embarrass himself in front of a bunch of people with crappy singing just to impress a girl (twice — he sang to her at Key Club back in January, too) … I guess it must be love … lucky for Papa Joe Simpson ;)

[Photo credit: Jason Fisher; Source]

Things appear to be back on track for Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo after nearly breaking up earlier this year (tho, I still suspect that the couple did take a bit of a “break” from one another to determine if this relationship thing was gonna work out for them … ie. whether or not Tony could put up with Papa Joe Simpson’s interfering ways) as the couple were snapped doing a bit of grocery shopping together at a Ralph’s grocery store in Hollywood, CA over the weekend:

Yeah, there ain’t nuthin’ all that sexy to see here … just good ol’ Jessimo going about their biz like any happy and in love couple is wont to do. Steady as she goes, you two … just don’t rock the boat too much. I do think that Jessimo made a handsome couple together and I’d like Jessica to find happiness (despite how much I like to razz her). It’d be amazing if Papa Joe could just stay out of things and let his daughters be happy. So far, so good … here’s hopin’ it continues.

[Photo credit: X17]

It would appear that the rejuvenated romance between Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo is moving forward in an attempt to stay viable … or something. After reports that the couple broke up and then got back together, Jessimo have been lying low most probably so that they might be able to heal in private. Over the weekend, the couple surfaced in Las Vegas, NV for the grand opening of Palms Place Hotel & Spa and then, oddly, showed up at the airport in San Diego, CA the next day:

Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin
Could it be that the couple have fled to San Diego to try and jumpstart their romance or where they just being as wily as can be, choosing to circumvent showing up in LA together? Whatever the case may be, Tony Romo sure don’t look all that interested in being seen with his ladylove Jessica. He kinda looks ashamed to show his face … which, I guess I kinda get. I’d prolly hide my face, too. [Source]