Beginning with the acoustic based self-released Broken Bracelet in 2000, Michelle Branch has always been a young woman in a big hurry. The release of Michelle Branch’s major label debut The Spirit Room in 2001 ushered in an entirely new movement in pop music, busting open the door for the new crop of females who write and play their own songs, after all--there was no other female artist on the charts who wrote and performed all the songs on her record, and her music was distinctively driven by guitars and lyrics as opposed to loops and dance oriented videos.

Michelle Branch hooks up with Santana.

Born Michelle Jacquet Branch on July 2, 1983, in Flagstaff, Arizona, her father is a plumber-contractor and her mother is a restaurant manager. She claims that from the age of three she knew she wanted to sing and perform--her first wish was to be on Broadway in musicals like Cats or Oklahoma. Other influences were found in her parents' record collection, which included bands such as the Beatles and Led Zeppelin and singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. By the age of eight she was begging her mother to send her to voice lessons.

A breakout pop star with her platinum debut album Spirit Room, Michelle Branch's debut single "Everywhere" hit number 12 on Billboard's Hot 100; the video won MTV's Viewer's Choice Award. She won a Grammy Award in 2003 and saw her second album Hotel Paper also go platinum--and all this from a young woman who appears to be breaking the mold of female pop singers. Beth Wood of the Copley News Service wrote, "Hailed by fans and the media as the 'UnBritney,' she was the antidote to sexed-up young girls with slick song-and-dance routines, skimpy costumes and prefab careers."

The summer hit of 2001 turned out to be "Everywhere", the first single off Michelle's album. It shot into the #12 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and made Michelle an established upcomer, with everyone wanting to work with her including Lifehouse, Jude, The Calling, Sheryl Crow and most recently The Dixie Chicks bringing her on tour with them. Then in January 2002, "All You Wanted" - Michelle's favourite off the album - stormed in at #6 and reached #1 on the TRL top 10.

After signing with Jeff Rabhan's company, Michelle went into the studio to record an indy album named Broken Bracelet and planned to give it away at local shows. Then in Summer 2000, Michelle received another phone call - this time from Hanson�s reps, asking Michelle to play for them on some of their upcoming shows. Michelle happily accepted, packed her bags and flew to California where she would be spotted by a rep at Maverick Records and offered a record deal. In December 2000, Michelle eventually signed with Madonna's label and was halfway through finishing her first major album, later titled "The Spirit Room".

Michelle Jaquet DeSevren Branch was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 2nd 1983. Michelle was born seven weeks early weighing only 3lbs 11oz, and says she was eager to get into the world. Her whole life she has loved music, listening to The Beatles since she was in the womb. At the time of her birth, her family were living in Flagstaff, Arizona but as it was 4th of July weekend, there were no places at the hospital and her mum, Peggy had to be flown to Phoenix with her dad, David following in the car.