From Nursing to Notes: How Lisa Jo Is Turning Pain Into Power Through Music
Lisa Jo, songwriter and producer behind her independent label Lyrics by Lisa Jo, is quickly proving that music can be more than sound—it can be survival. After years of working in healthcare as a nurse supervisor and with the New York State Department of Health, her world was upended by tragedy and illness. Widowed unexpectedly and diagnosed with multiple cancers, Lisa Jo found herself stripped of her singing voice and forced into early retirement. But instead of silencing her, those hardships gave her a new path forward: songwriting and music production.
“I can’t sing anymore, but I can write,” she says. “And if it doesn’t come from my soul, it won’t be coming from me at all.”
The recognition of her new singles
Her recent singles, Lord of the Night and Beast with Rage, are already earning widespread approval from listeners who connect to her raw emotion and storytelling. Though new to the music industry, Lisa Jo is no stranger to success in writing. Her memoir, The Hands That Held Me, became a #1 new release and bestseller, and her medical research publications are cited globally, taught to counselors and psychologists around the world. Writing, whether in books, research, or lyrics, has always been her superpower.
Trials and tribulations
Behind her music lies an extraordinary story of resilience. Over the past two years alone, Lisa Jo has lost her parents, husband, siblings, cousins, and closest friends—all while caring for her two disabled sisters and continuing a seven-year battle with terminal cancer. Yet even in the face of relentless hardship, she remains dedicated to creating music that others can connect to.
What’s next
Her vision for the future is clear. While she currently collaborates with various vocalists, Lisa Jo is actively seeking permanent band members and vocalists to build a team and expand her independent label. She is not interested in signing away creative control—her music is her truth, and she intends to keep it that way.
From her quiet lakeside home just miles from the ocean, surrounded by palm trees, flowers, and wildlife, Lisa Jo writes in a setting as vibrant as her imagination. She doesn’t box herself into one genre; instead, she embraces them all. Fans can expect upcoming releases spanning rap, country, rock, blues, folk, soul, and pop. For Lisa Jo, every song is an honest reflection of her mindset and emotions in the moment.
the goal with Lisa Jo’s music
“My hope is that people see who I am and where my lyrics come from,” she says. “I want my music to help people process their own emotions—good, bad, or ugly. If my songs can be that for someone, then I’ve done my job.”
Lisa Jo may be a newcomer to the industry, but with her determination, versatility, and authenticity, she is carving out a space all her own. Her story is not just one of survival—it is one of transformation, proving that even in life’s darkest hours, music can still shine through.
