Formed in the Knoxville, TN, summer heat of 1998, Jag Star is a rock group that consisted of electric and acoustic guitarist J. Robert Lewis, bassist Kenner Rawdon, violinist Erin Tipton, drummer Rafael Harris, and Sarah Lewis, who plays piano, mandolin, and servers as lead vocalist. She also happens to be J. Robert's wife. Jag Star has performed at clubs and fairs throughout the South, and began to earn a name for itself by competing in talent searches and battle-of-the-band type contests. In 2000 the band released its first album, appropriately titled The Beginning. Some of the eclectic rock- and pop-flavored tracks on the impressive recording are "Fade Away," "Better Girl," and "Gone Again." Shortly after the debut was completed, drummer Seamus Tierney, who has worked with artists like Letters to Cleo and Jewel, replaced Harris in the band's lineup. ~ Charlotte Dillon