Jo Dee Messina previewing new song at Linn County Fair in Central City

It went full circle for Jo Dee Messina earlier in the month in Clinton. She was on a bill with Tim McGraw, who helped launch the plucky singer/songwriter's career a generation ago.

“We had so much fun doing this show, but what moved me was when we spoke,” Messina said while calling from her Nashville home. “Tim believed in me when no one knew who I was.”

McGraw was impressed with Messina’s talent and helped the suburban Boston native score a deal with Curb Records. McGraw co-produced her 1996 eponymous debut album.

“Tim stood up for certain songs that I hoped were going to be on that album when I was too frightened to say anything,” Messina said. “I thought that I couldn’t disagree with anyone at the label, but he fought for the songs he thought would help me become successful, and he was right.

“I owe so much to Tim McGraw, who is one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet in this business.”

Messina, 52, toured extensively behind her self-titled album, which spawned a pair of tunes that cracked the Top 10 of the Billboard Country chart. “Heads Carolina, Tails California” peaked at number two and its follow-up, “You're Not in Kansas Anymore,” reached the number seven position. “Do You Wanna Make Something of It” and “He’d Never Seen Julie Cry” were minor hits.

Her debut release went gold and Messina became one of the hottest singers in country music.

“It was a dream come true,” Messina said. “I’m so blessed to have had that success. I appreciated that and have just kept moving over the years.”

Messina, who will perform Friday at the Linn County Fair in Central City, reached greater heights with 1998’s “I'm Alright,” which yielded three chart-toppers on the Billboard Country chart: “Bye, Bye,” “I’m Alright” and “Stand Beside Me.”

“I’m Alright” went double platinum.

The catchy single “Bring on the Rain,” a duet with Tim McGraw, scaled the top of the country charts in 2001. “Delicious Surprise,” released in 2005, went gold.

“It’s been an amazing career,” Messina said. “I’m pleased to say it’s continuing and going well.”

Messina is releasing a single, “Just to Be Loved” in early July, which she’ll preview in Central City.

“I’m raising two boys, who are 11 and 14 and my boys don’t have cellphones,” she said. “I saw a text from a girl on my phone to my son, who just went a little too far in an effort to be loved. That inspired the song. It’s frightening what’s happening with kids today.

“Kids are taking their own lives. Cellphones are like loaded guns. There’s bullying on social media and it’s sad. It's important for them to realize who they are, and they’re wonderful. God made them with a purpose and they are perfect the way they are.”

Expect quite a few songs to drop as singles over the next few months since Messina has been prolific of late.

“I’ve been writing a lot,” she said. “I’ve been so inspired. Melodies are pouring out of me. Prepare for lots of songs from me. I’m just so thankful, since looking back on my life, it wasn’t pretty. I’m grateful for every day. I grew up so poor and I’ve been so blessed with my career and family — and then there are the fans who come out and who have been so supportive.”

Messina particularly enjoys coming back to Iowa.

“The fans there always come out and they’re so enthusiastic,” she said. “I felt it when I played in Clinton. It was a reminder of how much I enjoy coming back to Iowa. But that show in Clinton hit me so hard because of Tim. I couldn’t help but cry when I was with him, since it reminded me of how I got my start in music, and I’m eternally grateful to have this career.”