The One
29th November 2007, 05:59 AM
Great blog from Jill Jones Myspace page that I think is worthy of sharing. Some may or may not know it was Teena Marie (not Prince) who "discovered" JJ. And for those who don't know who Teena is... just google Rick James ;)
Hello everyone, just thought I would fill u in on the last few days....
On Monday, November 26th I went to see my big sis Teena Marie play at BB Kings here in NYC. What an amazing performance. Talk about someone who was meant to be onstage and loving it..always… It was very bittersweet for me. As me and my friend Toni Seawright sang along with all of the songs, I even remembered some of my old background moves. Teena was the first to give me a start in this business. I remember in my parents' home how we would write songs in her bedroom, long into the hours I should've been asleep to be up in time for school the next day. But it didn't matter to me- (though I think it pissed Teena off when I would be so late the next day that I'd go in a wake her up ,asking her to take me for a ride to school!! J
Her generosity when it comes to the creation of songs and publishing is a far cry from today's artist who collect way too much publishing and writers credit for songs they never even write or barely pen. I.e.; The Madonna's, Seal's etc. Artists who see themselves as more brand than human being. Did people not take in the stories on countless musicians who were ripped off back in the day? Musicians who died penniless because of dodgy publishing and record deals? Teena has an uncanny ability to nurture those around her creative environment and to genuinely be happy for their musical success. She is a consummate musician and very secure with who she is. Very rare. And I can say that she has never exploited anyone for her own personal gain or downgraded anyone's contribution to her productions. If anything she lifts them up, and holds their abilities in high regard. God gave her a gift and she is grateful and it shows. And she recognizes those gifts in others, and it shows.
Anyway, I just want to say that if were not for her, I would've never had the confidence to pursue this. Her shoes are impossible to fill. Musically, I just wanted her to be proud of me trying to do something with the tools that she had given me. I wanted to stand on equal ground and not have to constantly run to her for help. Even when things were horrendous with Paisley Park, I sucked it up and hid what was going on, after all Teena was not a business associate first, but my sister, my family. Feeling like a little sister, I attest to feeling often in the shadows, so I sought situations that in the end…..put me in the shadows…. Behind curtains, behind others. I saw a lot and I heard a lot. I watched. Then one day I woke up….. But I digress…. The show was awesome and nostalgia got the best of me at many times throughout her performance. Good. An epiphany followed. And I too am grateful.
One funny thing I have to mention is that sitting next to me and my friends was Sherri Shepherd, I guess from The View. She came to Tee's show with her friend and at one point during the show Teena expressed to the audience that she was very happy that her sister was at the show and asked everyone to "give a round of applause for my sister and singer, Miss Jill Jones". The audience was kind. But…Sherri and her friend were like "who's that? Jill who? Who's that bitch?....It's not Jill Scott?" I had to laugh a little because, it was me and I was sitting right beside them. J It's kind of good being in the shadows, because you get to see and hear the real stuff going on.
Hello everyone, just thought I would fill u in on the last few days....
On Monday, November 26th I went to see my big sis Teena Marie play at BB Kings here in NYC. What an amazing performance. Talk about someone who was meant to be onstage and loving it..always… It was very bittersweet for me. As me and my friend Toni Seawright sang along with all of the songs, I even remembered some of my old background moves. Teena was the first to give me a start in this business. I remember in my parents' home how we would write songs in her bedroom, long into the hours I should've been asleep to be up in time for school the next day. But it didn't matter to me- (though I think it pissed Teena off when I would be so late the next day that I'd go in a wake her up ,asking her to take me for a ride to school!! J
Her generosity when it comes to the creation of songs and publishing is a far cry from today's artist who collect way too much publishing and writers credit for songs they never even write or barely pen. I.e.; The Madonna's, Seal's etc. Artists who see themselves as more brand than human being. Did people not take in the stories on countless musicians who were ripped off back in the day? Musicians who died penniless because of dodgy publishing and record deals? Teena has an uncanny ability to nurture those around her creative environment and to genuinely be happy for their musical success. She is a consummate musician and very secure with who she is. Very rare. And I can say that she has never exploited anyone for her own personal gain or downgraded anyone's contribution to her productions. If anything she lifts them up, and holds their abilities in high regard. God gave her a gift and she is grateful and it shows. And she recognizes those gifts in others, and it shows.
Anyway, I just want to say that if were not for her, I would've never had the confidence to pursue this. Her shoes are impossible to fill. Musically, I just wanted her to be proud of me trying to do something with the tools that she had given me. I wanted to stand on equal ground and not have to constantly run to her for help. Even when things were horrendous with Paisley Park, I sucked it up and hid what was going on, after all Teena was not a business associate first, but my sister, my family. Feeling like a little sister, I attest to feeling often in the shadows, so I sought situations that in the end…..put me in the shadows…. Behind curtains, behind others. I saw a lot and I heard a lot. I watched. Then one day I woke up….. But I digress…. The show was awesome and nostalgia got the best of me at many times throughout her performance. Good. An epiphany followed. And I too am grateful.
One funny thing I have to mention is that sitting next to me and my friends was Sherri Shepherd, I guess from The View. She came to Tee's show with her friend and at one point during the show Teena expressed to the audience that she was very happy that her sister was at the show and asked everyone to "give a round of applause for my sister and singer, Miss Jill Jones". The audience was kind. But…Sherri and her friend were like "who's that? Jill who? Who's that bitch?....It's not Jill Scott?" I had to laugh a little because, it was me and I was sitting right beside them. J It's kind of good being in the shadows, because you get to see and hear the real stuff going on.