Behind the Scenes of making the "Dream Big Darling" Music Video
By Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins
I believe music is magic. It has the power to evoke deep emotion, to transport you, and to remind you of who you are and what you stand for. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted a song for Dream Big Darling. I’m not a great singer myself, but I’ve always been drawn to how a simple melody can become the soundtrack to a community and a movement. For years, I had conversations with my dear friend and Central Coast musician, Jade Jackson, about this dream. But life, contracts, and other obligations meant the timing wasn't right. The universe, however, has a way of knowing what’s best for us, even when we don't.
This year, the stars aligned. After our annual retreat in the hills
outside of Paso Robles—an incredible weekend of nature, adventure, and community—Jade gave us a gift more special than we could have ever imagined. She was driving to the retreat with her sister, Audrey—the same Audrey who created the beautiful artwork for our One Stone Wine project—when inspiration struck. That night, as the final song of her set, Jade played a brand-new song she had just written. “I haven’t even played this all the way through yet,” she said. The song was for us, for Dream Big Darling, a tribute to our mission of moving one stone at a time to build a mountain. The lyrics captured the very heart of our organization. It was an anthem.
I knew in that moment we had to record it. The world needs more joy and more powerful, heartfelt messages, and this song was a beacon of both. Jade recorded the track in Nashville, and as she was returning home to California, my mind raced with ideas for a music video. At first, I thought it would be a personal tribute to my grandmother, who always called me "darling," and to the next generation, including my own daughter. But I quickly realized the most compelling story was right in front of us: Jade's story.
She is a young woman who has overcome so much. She is still moving one stone at a time, pursuing her passion in an industry that is incredibly tough. So the video became a tribute to her journey, to the beautiful, unconditional love between her and her sister, Audrey, who quietly and powerfully shows up for her every day. It’s a story about the simple, profound gift of presence and truly loving someone for who they are.
The video also became an adventure for us. I knew I wanted to incorporate horses—a true love of mine—and a bucket-list item for Jade was riding a horse on the beach. Before the shoot, she came over for three days, and we spent hours riding and talking. The moment she touches the horse in the video, she is transported into a dream world where anything is possible. We found the perfect place to symbolize this journey: the Clark family’s beautiful, steep-hillside chapel in Shandon. For Jade, it represented a climb toward a deeper connection with God, and for all of us, it’s a powerful symbol of spiritual health and our
ability to climb any mountain. Seeing her in that long, flowing dress at the top of the hill was absolutely magical.
And of course, we had to get her into authentic cowgirl gear, with the fringe vintage lambskin jacket and turquoise jewelry, thanks to our friends at All Good Supply Co. My cousin Tami even helped with her makeup. Seeing the "little cowgirl" in the video, we're reminded that the next generation is always watching us. They're watching how we handle failure, how we succeed, and most importantly, whether we get back up when we fall down.
This entire project was a dream come true, and a testament to the power of community. It was a true gift to work with Jade, Audrey, and all of our friends to bring this vision to life. This song is our story, a reminder that we can build mountains, one stone at a time, and that the greatest gift is the love and support of those who quietly cherish us along the way. I hope you enjoy our song, "Dream Big Darling."
This song is a love letter to our community, celebrating women in the wine and spirits industry who dream big, take risks and support one another along the way. If you found the song inspiring we encourage you to share it on social media and spread this positive message of keep going, keep believing, and keep lifting others along the way.
Credits:
Written by - Jade Jackson
Produced & Directed by - Amanda W. Higgins
Executive Director - Colton Cools
Executive Producer - Jade Jackson
Filmed by - Slava Narozhnyi
Editor/Color - Colton Cools
Featuring:
“Jade’s Little Sister as Herself” - Audrey Jackson
”Cowgirl 1” - Cecilia Higgins and Maverick
”Cowgirl 2” - Amanda W. Higgins and Spud
Special Thanks to:
Clark Family on Chapel Hill
Cowgirl Styling and Attire: Megan Allgood, Allgood Supply Co
Makeup - Tami Bernard, Tami Bernard Makeup
Jade’s Mom: Lindsey Jackson
Dream Big Darling Community