Jenae cherry band with rodney

For Nashville pop-country singer Jenae Cherry, music is about defying standards, taking risks and moving forward.

But with Genesee Theatre’s “Awakenings,” she’s taking a step back and returning to her roots. It’s a sweet homecoming with modern country, rock — and a “funky groove,” too.

Cherry will share the stage with two local bands for “Awakenings: Digging the Roots of Local Country Music” at 7:30 p.m.

May 23 at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

“Being able to come back and put a spotlight on the great talent coming out of the area where we grew up … it’s so cool,” said Cherry, a native of Wonder Lake. “The music in the Chicago area … there’s so much talent there.

I don’t think anyone’s seen us in this light before.”

This will be the first time many see Cherry in this “new light,” as her style has evolved significantly since she left Illinois. Af