Born to unusually hip parents in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, singer-songwriter Jen Cass was raised on a healthy mix of folk music, homegrown vegetables, spontaneous dancing, black licorice and Motown. When asked about her childhood Jen muses, "I remember my mom doing pirouettes around the living room with Joan Baez and Simon & Garfunkel blasting in the background. Then dad would pull out his guitar and we'd all sing Tom Paxton songs. My sister and I werent allowed to watch TV, so we sang, danced and read every book we could get our hands on. By the age of five, I was a miniature troubadour in bad seventies clothing, quoting Jack London and belting out Jim Croce tunes. I love my parents for that.

While her fashion sense has evolved over time, Jen has always remained true to her roots, writing beautifully crafted songs that draw comparisons to songwriting legends Bob Dylan, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Indigo Girls, and Dar Williams, as well as playwright Eugene O'Neill. In the words of Suzanne Glass of Indie-Music.com, "Cass songs are lyrical gems. She weaves fables with her words that would make Aesop jealous."

Jen's songs have won awards in nearly every major songwriting contest, including the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, the USA Songwriting Competition, the International Songwriting Competition, the Great American Song Contest, and the Billboard Worldsong Contest.Jen is a frequent performer at The Ark, a two-time Kerrville New Folk Finalist, a Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Finalist, and a Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist, but never feels more at home than when she takes the stage at Wheatland. She is thrilled to be back for Wheatland's 50th Anniversary!