Jessica Simpson performs first show in 15 years after Eric Johnson split: ‘You write some good music when you go through heartbreak’

nypost.com:

Jessica Simpson is getting her groove back after her split from estranged husband Eric Johnson. The 44-year-old pop star behind hits such as “I Wanna Love You Forever,” “I Think I Love You” and “With You” performed her first show in 15 years at the Recording Academy’s Block Party at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday night.“Last night was my first performance in 15 years.

It was an emotional coming back home to the best part of myself,” Simpson wrote on Instagram in a post featuring footage of the set.“Thank you for embracing me.

You know that I have so much to say, but this lucky voice gets to soar again tonight. I love y’all. More to come.”The singer delivered a six-song set that included new tunes including “Breadcrumbs” and “Leave,” and a cover of the Dusty Springfield classic “Son of a Preacher Man.”Simpson, who hadn’t performed live since the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony, also sang her remake of Nancy Sinatra’s hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” — which she covered for the 2005 “Dukes of Hazzard” soundtrack — along with two more new songs, “Blame Me” and “Use My Heart Against Me.” Those tracks are slated to appear on her upcoming “Nashville Canyon, Part I” EP, due March 21.She recently released “Use My Heart Against Me” and “Leave” as her first new music since her 2010 “Happy Christmas” album.“This time I needed to remember who I was and why I wanted to sing in the first place and all the music that inspires me,” she told the crowd.