Wishing the best of the new month, day and week to all. Count your blessings each day no matter what and live in gratitude for the gift.
I’ll be in Denver on Saturday May 7 for Jammin’ De Mayo at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater doing a short set for the festival. See you there, in the meantime and all the time stream / download some Jody Watley Music past and present releases – available at all digital platforms.
Wattage!
Photos from Act 1 of the concert – more wardrobe changes followed from a high energy and visually cutting edge (of the time) show! Within a month or so, I was able to bring this concert to another sold-out experience at Universal Amphitheater – some of that footage is captured in my “Everything” video. It was a who’s who of celebrities, artists, and a diverse audience white, latino, asian, black and beyond in the house that night.
Pre-cell phones and social media – you had to be there.
Wattage!
Released #OTD April 27, 1987
“Still A Thrill”
Written by: Jody Watley & Andre Cymone
Produced by Andre Cymone, David Z.
Billboard Charts #3 Hot R&B, #8 Dance, #56 Hot 100
The first artist or entity allowed to film a music video in the Paris Opera House, thank you to director Brian Grant.
“I wanted to showcase my power register in the vocal range, initially a concept to present to Grace Jones as a possible duet that didn’t come to fruition. Andre slayed this groove and then I came up with the title, theme melody and lyrics, it was magic and an instant if not underrated funk jam. It was a hit but faltered somewhat on the pop side because it was so different from ‘Looking For A N ew Love’. It was important to me at this time to showcase as well that black girls could be different, edgy, and international.I loved those Duran Duran videos shot on location.
The theme of the video was ‘Paris By Night, it always makes me smile when people tell me they have made it a point to travel to Paris and go to the Opera House and take photo’s on the grand entrance staircase. There is no choreography or choreographer to show me what to do, no stylist to tell me what was cool to wear. All the dancing is freestyle and created in the moment with Tyrone Proctor who I’d known from my Soul Train days as a teenager. Another fact that distinguishes me from other artists at that time – no team of dancers, high style and singular focus. I didn’t want to be like anyone else and was clear of my vision of who I am.”
Watch Jody Watley ‘Still A Thrill” Full Video on Youtube: Here
Hear thoughts on collaborator & producer Andre Cymone:
Via The Hot Sheet : JODY WATLEY : Billboard Hot 100 Chart History :
Jody Watley “Friends” ft. Eric B & Rakim was the Hot 100’s first Top 10 original recording a formula later popularized by other pop artists remaining a staple in music.
Best New Artist GRAMMY winner, trendsetter, style icon – Jody Watley ranks 21st on Billboard’s Top Dance Club Play Artists of All Time, with 20 entries including 7 #1 hits.
Top 60 Top Hot 100 Female Artists of All Time at 53.
The Nick Cannon Show rebroadcast the Jody Watley appearance from February 2021 on April 20. In case you missed the original broadcast and repeat – you can check it out on Youtube – Here
The show was upbeat, exuberant and Nick should get props for having such a positive and fun show though it has now come to an end. It’s always great when veteran artists like myself with hits, history and influence – have the booking opportunity often unavailable on many shows in favor of younger artists.
Best wishes to Nick Cannon and staff in future endeavors.
“If you’re just making a fashion statement without making a difference, that’s a travesty. As artists, we all have to assume responsibility for the messages we send out…”
8 dollar Hanes t-shirt — more importantly the attitude and sentiment are priceless and contribute to longevity.
Wattage!
#OTD April 21, 2007 From critically acclaimed full length release “The Makeover”
“I Want Your Love” Happy 15th Anniversary to “I Want Your Love – The Remixes”
Debuted on the @billboard Dance chart. The single peaked at #1 US and UK Official Commercial Dance Chart
Written by: Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers
Produced by DJ Spinna
Additional Remixes by Soulcast, Masi + Mello, Morgan Page
Available at all digital platforms.
A few April Jody Watley music milestone anniversaries.
#OTD April 15, 1989
The Platinum second Solo Album – Happy 33rd Anniversary
“Larger Than Life”
Debuted on the Billboard 200 chart.
Multi-Chart Top 10 Hits
“Real Love” written by Jody Watley & Andre Cymone
The groundbreaking “Friends” ft. Eric B. & Rakim – written by Jody Watley, Andre Cymone, Rakim, Eric Barrier
Ballad “Everything.” written by Gardner Cole, James Newton-Howard
Produced by Andre Cymone
The album cover is featured in Taschen 1000 Greatest Album Covers.
Art Direction –
Lynn Robb
Concept
Jody Watley
Inspiration – High fashion, good music and never playing yourself small – Make it ‘Larger Than Life’
Released #OTD April 15, 1989:
“Friends”
ft. the Legendary Eric B. & Rakim
Written by: Jody Watley, Andre Cymone, Rakim, Eric B.
Billboard Charts
#3 Hot R&B,
#7 Dance,
#9 Hot 100
The first original Pop/R&B/HipHop/Rap/Dance single to crossover Top 10 on Multiple Charts.
#OTD April 16, 1988
“Some Kind Of Lover”
Happy Anniversary
by GRAMMY® winner Jody Watley
Peaked at #10 on the @billboard Hot 100 chart
Written by: Jody Watley, Andre Cymone
Produced by Andre Cymone
Additional Chart Notes
#1 Dance,
#3 Hot R&B
Full Jody Watley Discography – https://jodywatley.net/discography/
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The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards (WSHOF) returns to induct female iconic hitmakers!
WSHOF, founded to honor women whose body of work represents the best of the heritage and legacy of modern American music for the second year will pay homage to 10 noteworthy female songwriters on June 25, 2022.
The stellar event will take place at the opulent Bellevue Center, 43350 John Mosby Hwy in Chantilly, Virginia and will celebrate some of music’s finest songwriters and composers in a magnificent moment to mark their careers and their classics.
Music royalty and iconic singer Jody Watley will return as the emcee for the prestigious award ceremony. She is also amongst the esteemed honorees for this year’s event.
There will be a special performance by singer-songwriter Tayla Lynn, the granddaughter of Loretta Lynn with Tre Twitty.
“I am excited to host this wonderful ceremony again and also honored to be included as an honoree with my other esteemed songwriter peers,” says Watley.
WSHOF founded to honor women whose works represent American Music Heritage and legacy, promises a stellar event, celebrating some of music’s finest songwriters and composers, honoring their careers and their classics.
Read all about it!
Read More: HERE