Jody Watley to Attend Jackie Wilson Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony.

Via Gail Parenteau PR and Brunswick Records:

Jody Watley will be a guest-of-honor at the posthumous presentation of Jackie Wilson’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame scheduled for September 4, 2019, at 11:30 am PDT. The event will be live-streamed exclusively on http://www.walkoffame.com

How Jody Watley became the Goddaughter of Jackie Wilson

It was divine intervention, literally! Rev. John E. Watley Jr. was the minister of his church in Chicago, ‘Miracle Temple,’ which drew the “in-crowd” and a who’s who from the world of entertainment. Rev. Watley was also a popular gospel music on-air radio personality and programmer on WVON and later in Kansas City, MO on KPRS. Her father called her “Princess Jody” and so did the church members. He had a theatrical and larger-than-life persona that attracted singers like Aretha Franklin, Sam Cook, and Johnny Taylor.

It was at church that the Reverend Watley met Jackie Wilson. Wilson and Watley became self-proclaimed “brothers” so much so that Jody always called the singer “Uncle Jackie.” Reverand Watley and his wife, also a singer in the church who gave up a professional career to raise Jody and her brother, considered Jackie part of the family. He joyously accepted his honor of being named Jody Watley’s Godfather, although Jody always called him “Uncle Jackie.”

The family relocated from Chicago to Durham, NC and it was there one evening, the family went to see Jackie Wilson perform. Rev. Watley knew his daughter was gifted and that she was preordained to become the talent that she is today. “My father passed away way too soon at age 49, but he told me from a young age I would be a star. He called me Princess,” Jody said.

When Jackie asked me to come on stage with him, at around age 8. “It was so exciting. I was dressed in the style of the day – – – a pretty skirt, Go-Go boots, and a chic mod ponytail” Jody recalled. “I think the song we did was “ Baby Work Out” and I remember singing and dancing with Jackie Wilson! I knew how to do the mashed potato and the twist!”

“Even at such a young age, I recognized Uncle Jackie’s charisma. He truly was truly someone special, definitely ‘Mr. Excitement!’ Another remembrance that stays with me is visceral — Jackie smelled so good, he really did smell amazing!”

“Jackie was truly Mr. Excitement in every way. When I was with him, I had that feeling I was in the presence of greatness. He embodied all of the talent and musicality and style that came before him. The star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a wonderful honor for my Godfather Jackie Wilson. I wish he could have gotten the recognition and his due before he died, but I am so glad his story is being revealed.”

Jody Watley Classic Photo of The Day. People Magazine 50 Most Beautiful People Issue.

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It was an cool to be a part of the “People Magazine 50 Most Beautiful Summer 1990” issue needless to say (actress Michelle Pfeiffer was on the cover). I believe true beauty radiates from the inside out and honestly having smarts is higher on my list though being in the entertainment industry there is a level of superficial so I get it. In my interviews it’s always been key to get that across, not just being a ‘pretty face.’ The feature makes mention of my godfather music legend Jackie Wilson who will finally be honored with a Star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood September 4, 2019.

In this opportunity it’s noted that I was ok with my crooked bottom teeth..they are still crooked though I could easily have them straightened. Perhaps I will before all is said and done but they don’t bother me and are a part of being distinctly me. Imperfections are a part of who we are, it’s also what I replied recently to someone trolling me on Facebook who mocked me for my bottom teeth ‘you have enough money – why don’t you get your teeth fixed, people are talking about you behind your back..” Sure, we are all works in progress and if definitely fix or work on what needs improvement if it makes you feel better about yourself – go for it but don’t let society or certain standards make you feel less than or inferior in any way. You decide – I decide.

Going with short hair was also a statement in itself and somewhat rebellious in it’s own way..it’s not about my hair but my artistry and quest to always be what and who I want to be at any given time – not who and what other’s want to define or box me into. The short hair was not received well at the time with fans, or my record label. As an artist and a human being most of all, it’s often challenging to hold on and fight to be who you are and want to be while others may only see you one way and try to keep you marginalized to their vision.

This was also around the time I was photographed by legendary Herb Ritts for the GAP groundbreaking ‘celebrity’ ad campaign ‘Individuals Of Style’ – loved this session. Herb Ritts was so kind and easy going. Any intimidation I may have felt going into the session melted away as soon as I met him. We shot in natural light on the rooftop of his Hollywood studio, I wore my own denim jeans and Doc Martens, customizing the white GAP t-shirt to suit me, just a simple snipping off of the sleeves.  Peter Savic, another legend in the fashion and celebrity hairstylist..actually he’s a master of hair, an artist not just a stylist worked with Herb Ritts often but it was a first for us. Wanting to do something fresh, modern and bold but not sure what – Peter suggested short and so we agreed on the pixie cut and he knocked it out of the park! An image from this session was also used for my “Precious Love” single…as well it was around this time I was nearly booed off the stage and received heavy backlash after by my only performance on the Soul Train Awards…that’s another post entirely. I do touch upon being black and forward thinking as an artist back then, the politics of the music business .. in my work in progress memoir.

 

Jody Watley GAP ad by Herb Ritts

Be bold if you feel like it  – be you – live your life!! Wattage!

 

Jody Watley. Sony Hall NYC. Photographic Essays.

Beautiful captures by Trudy Giordano at my favorite concert of the summer thus far – Sony Hall NYC. Each photo really does tell a story.

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Nate Allen Smith. SRL.

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Jody Watley and Nate Allen Smith of SRL.

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Good vibes -Wattage

View the full gallery: Rawthentic Trudy Giordano

Jody Watley. Wattage Thought and Photo Of The Day. Dream.

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Imagine. Dream. Believe. Do. Work. Be. Keep The Faith. Remember small steps often turn into big achievements – begin.

 

Wattage!

 

Monday Wattage. Thank You.

Each day is a gift. Live life – in gratitude.

Wattage!!

Grooving Into The Weekend. Elevate The Frequency. Vibe-maker Jody Watley.

“Skin Deep” from ‘Midnight Lounge’

Deep in the groove at Sony Hall 8.16.19

Video snippet by Landis Page

Photography by Trudy Giordano: Jody Watley & SRL

Jody Watley & SRL Photography by Sean Jamar

Elevate The Frequency. Jody Watler Custom Coat Art by Imbeebles Brooklyn Allison Rohan. Photography Sean Jamar.

Soul Music Legend Jackie Wilson Set To Receive Posthumous Walk Of Fame Star

Eighty-five years after he was born and 35 years since his death, soul music legend Jackie Wilson will receive a pair of honors next month. 

On Sept. 4 the Detroit-born singer — whose hits include “Reet Petite” and “Lonely Teardrops” (co-written by Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr.) as well as “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” — will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A new 50-track compilation, The Definitive Jackie Wilson, will be released the same day.

Jody Watley, who was Wilson’s goddaughter, will be attending the star ceremony. 

In a statement Harlean Harris Wilson, his second wife and executor of his estate, said that, “I’m so elated for him, so ecstatic about my husband getting his star. That title ‘Mr. Excitement’ wasn’t just given to him. He worked for it… (He was) very vibrant, very effervescent, generous to a fault. He loved to sing and he loved life.”

Read the full article : Billboard

Long overdue and well deserved, needless to say.

Weekend Wattage Musings and Music.

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Jody Watley – Sony Hall, NYC 8.16.19. Photography by Sean Jamar. (c) 2019 All Rights Reserved.

“Appreciate what you have – but keep reaching for the best with all your heart and soul. Life is a gift.” Wattage! – Jody Watley

I’ll be in Bakersfield tomorrow August 24 for Summer Bash for the dance oriented classic hits show. The place is Stramler Park. Tickets and Lineup: Ticketfly

August 31 – Thunder Valley Outdoor Amphitheater Rewind Funk and Soul. I’ll be doing a 20 minute set. Tickets and Lineup: WorldOnePresents

September 7 Jody Watley ‘UnPlugged’ at the beautiful Blue Note Hawaii will close out my 2019 summer concert schedule. The Unplugged show will allow me to share more back stories about some of my biggest hits and inspirations. Here’s a taste, just uploaded to Jody Watley Official Youtube Channel – one of my Top 10 singles – ‘Everything’ Unplugged.

Wattage Thoughts. Exceed Expectations.

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People often get upset when you have standards, especially women. “Who does she think she is?”  As well, there’s a friction that occurs when you refuse to lower them to suit someone else, not to mention when the expectations that may be low to begin with.

What I continue to learn and believe –

“Always hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone expects from you- and exceed them.”

 

Photography: N.V. Johnson

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre 8.17.19.

Jody Watley Set To Appear in First San Antonio Texas Concert.

Just announced ; Jody Watley – October 19 San Antonio, Texas, Jo Long Theatre at The Carver. Tickets on sale now! Ticketmaster

Incredibly, this will be my first time in San Antonio so don’t miss it!!!

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