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10 Questions with ... Jessie James
March 24, 2009
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NAME:Jessie JamesPOSITION:ArtistLABEL:Island
Please outline your radio career so far:
I'm a well-traveled military brat and I've been singing since age of two. I started singing into a toy microphone and tape recorder, a gift from her mom. By age nine, I was composing my own songs on a plastic guitar (the first called "It's Gonna Be Alright"), performing as a youngster at events like the opening of Sea World and the Republican Convention, and working with a string of significant writers in Nashville at age 15.
After one of my song demos landed in the hands of Mercury President David Massey, I auditioned with IDJ boss Antonio "L.A." Reid. He got out from behind his desk, started dancing, hugged me and said, "We're going to dinner ... and welcome to the label!"
1) Congrats on an excellent first single! What was it like co-writing "Wanted" with American Idol's Kara DioGuardi?
Thank you! You know what was so cool about writing with Kara DioGuardi -- besides the fact that she is an amazing co-writer? The day we wrote "Wanted" was my first writing appointment in L.A. I had been writing in Nashville, but it was cool to experience what it was like writing in L.A. because it's always different. Kara was spunky and a total firecracker. One minute she'd be sitting on the floor and the next, she was throwing her arms in the air with an idea, while perched on the top of a bench! She was all over the place and I loved it because I feel like I am the same way!
2) She hasn't played it for Simon, has she?
No, not that I know of. But I am confident he will soon hear it!
3) Give us some background on the lyrics to "Wanted." What inspired the song?
There was a time when I was playing the field, but then I met this guy and I only wanted just him. And I will say that I got him! But it's over now ... ha, ha. So, he was my inspiration. Besides having a real-life experience to inspire the song, I always thought it would be cool to have a song that played on my name, Jessie James. People always think of the outlaw Jessie James and his Wanted posters, and this song twists the idea around a bit -- it's a woman wanting to be wanted by a man in a romantic sense.
4) Since you write based on life experiences, what would a song about your current radio promo tour be called?
It would be called, "For Love Of The Pranksters!" Being on a radio tour has been so much fun, but I have been entertaining myself further with various jokes and pranks. I am traveling with two musicians and my road manager, and there is always someone from Island Def Jam with us. We look like an interesting group, so people in airports, drivers, and in hotels always ask us what we do. I have had various answers from being a professional dog walker who is going to start walking the new White House puppy to being nomads visiting all our long-lost relatives across the U..S to being a Playboy Bunny. And I'm not going to reveal what I did with a whoopie cushion after we stopped at Cracker Barrel.
5) You wrote your first song when you were only nine ... "It's Gonna Be Alright." Will that tune ever be released?
I'm sitting here with a mouthful of turkey sandwich and I just spit all over the computer from laughing at that question! The answer is no.
6) When writing, what comes first for you, the lyrics or the music?
It varies, goes back and forth, whatever I am feeling. Sometimes I will start singing a melody in the car and call my message machine to record it so I can later add lyrics. And on other days, I can be sad or very happy, and I just feel like writing down my feelings and revisit it later when the melody to fit the mood comes to me.
7) Do you have a band together, and can we expect a tour?
We are working on getting the full band together, but I do already have two amazing musicians doing radio promo with me! And YES YES YES to the tour question.
8) Will we be treated to a video for "Wanted?"
Yes. We are currently reading various treatments from directors. I can't wait for the video! It's going to be hot and the concept is fun!
9) If you could be the opening act for any artist, living or dead, who would it be?
Oooooo ... only one? Johnny Cash, cause he was a rebel and different than everyone else!
10) Your MySpace page states that one of your goals this year is to lose your kitchen phobia. So, we won't be seeing you on the Food Network any time soon?
A stressful, overwhelming storm cloud comes over me when I get near kitchens. The only thing I can do is cook a mean Jambalaya, or throw cookie dough in the oven. Other than that, I'm lost.
Bonus Questions
What would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
David Banner to Amos Lee. I LOVE IT ALL YIPPPEEEEEEE.
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