Her professional music career began in mid-1996 while she was still a student, when she was the opening act for Arlo Guthrie's first Australian tour.

[4] Jodi grew up listening to her parents' country and folk record collection from Slim Dusty to Johnny Cash to Bob Dylan.

Jodi taught her twelve-year-old sister Robyn bass guitar, and the teenagers began performing their original songs, along with rock and country covers from Cold Chisel to Kenny Rogers in the pubs and football clubs across South Australia.

[4] At the age of sixteen, Jodi began to receive invitations to perform at country music showcases and festival talent quests.

Jodi met Kasey and Nash Chambers of The Dead Ringer Band at the Victor Harbour Country Music Festival, and they shared stories of growing up on the Nullarbor Plain.