It's the song that put country star Jo Dee Messina on the map 16 years ago. FOX17 Entertainment Reporter Stacy McCloud takes us BEHIND THE SONG "Heads Carolina, Tails California". In 1996, the world was introduced to Messina and fell in love with her breakthrough song. Messina brought the voice and vivacity, but the brains behind the song itself go to Tim Nichols and Mark Sanders. At that time, in the mid 90s, Nichols wrote with Sanders every Wednesday, and during one particular mid week session, Nichols walked in with an idea that came about thanks to a book he was reading. Reading and traveling are 2 things Nichols does often to pull inspiration, and traveling was certainly the theme with this song. With no particular artist in mind, the 2 ran with it! They finished the song that day and spent the next 6 months waiting while it was pitched around. No one jumped on it until Nichols got an unexpected call from Jo Dee Messina. Messina called him and said she needed one more song that could be a duet with Tim. The Tim that Messina was referencing was Tim McGraw, who was co-producing her debut album. Nichols knew that "Heads Carolina, Tails California" was the perfect fit! Turns out Jo Dee loved the song, but not exactly as it was. She also didn't want it as a duet. Instead, it became her debut single! Fans fell in love and the song spent 3 weeks at #2. While it never hit that coveted top spot, Nichols says there is nothing like being part of career-launching songs. Nichols just recently had another career launching song. He co-wrote the Dustin Lynch song "Cowboys and Angels", which ironically also didn't make it to #1, but just like "Heads Carolina", spent 3 weeks at #2!
SPECIAL REPORT: BEHIND THE SONG: "Heads Carolina, Tails California"