Guided by Nashville veterans like songwriter Karen Staley (Faith Hill, Reba McEntire) and producer Paul Worley (Dixie Chicks, Big & Rich), singer Emma Mae Jacob was just 16 when she first made an impression on country music. Staley had been moved to tears after hearing Emma Mae perform the songwriter's "With You." Staley became Emma Mae's advocate but it was Worley who convinced the singer to move from her native California to Nashville. Hooked up with producer Biff Watson plus songwriters Bob DiPiero, Tia Sillers, and Mark Selby, the singer recorded her debut Breaking All the Rules. Released in 2008, the album was supported by the uplifting "What If We Fly" and a tour opening for Jason Aldean. A big fan of the Japanese animation genre, Emma Mae began working on an animé series in 2008. Titled Hope Notes, the animé featured the semi-autobiographical story of a young country singer finding her way in Nashville.