Wanda Jackson's Calling: To Party and Pray

Wanda Jackson plays Neumos on Friday night. Tickets to the 8 p.m. show are $20 in advance.

At 73, Wanda Jackson has amassed a body of work that spans more than five decades. But it's January's incendiary Jack White-produced record, The Party Ain't Over, that has given the first lady of Rockabilly a fresh act in front of a new audience. Before playing Neumos on Friday, Jackson took a few minutes to talk about the Gospel, the party, and why she thinks her new fans are in need of a hero.

How have things been going?

Well, I've been really busy. Really happy. This new album that Jack White produced has caused quite a stir. It's opened a lot of doors for me, some new venues, and things of that nature.

Whose idea was it to do "Dust on the Bible"?

That was his. Everyone assumes that was mine. I was rather shocked, you know. I think that he wanted to show all the different facets of my recording career, almost like a showcase album. You find country, and of course rock and roll, then the gospel. Those are the three fields that through the years I've been in.

Do you play your overtly Christian songs or gospel songs to secular audiences?

Uh, huh. I'm currently doing "I Saw the Light," something that the younger audience, most everybody knows that song. I give a testimony, and then I go into that song. And it's always very well received. So that delights me.

Are you hoping you convert your audience?

Well, I think the story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that of salvation is not heard much by that age of people. I don't belabor the point, I just tell them in a few words about what's happened to me and the wonderful difference that Christ has made in my life.

Did you and Jack White talk about God much while you were in the studio making "Dust on the Bible"?

Not then. But we've talked, just in conversation, about the Lord. My husband was in the hospital recently for about four days--I'd get emails from him saying that he was praying for Wendell.

Two of your favorite topics, judging from your discography, appears to be having a party and praising the Lord. Has it been difficult to balance the two through the years?

I haven't found it difficult. I know that I'm doing God's will for my life right now. So when you have that peace, and you really have put it in his hands, the best that we know how to do that. I just don't worry about mixing the two or anything. This is where he's got me at the moment. And I'm there for some reason. I'll probably never understand it.

But I do know that one time on a secular stage telling people what Christ's done for me is better than a year traveling around singing in little churches. It'll reach more ears that way. That's why I feel that I'm doing exactly what God would have me to do right now. It may change tomorrow. Whatever direction he turns me in that's the way I want to go. It makes life so much easier. He opens the doors for you and he prepares the way when you're trying to stay in his will.

As you've performed for the younger record-buying public, as you say, have you learned anything about them?

I feel like they're needing a hero. They have latched onto me so willingly, I guess, and just hang on everything that I say from the stage. I think even Jack mentioned it. He said, "I've never seen this age of audiences be so quiet and listen to your talking." He said, "They just don't do that. They don't want talking, they want music."