J.R. is one of the freshest artists to hit the gospel music scene in recent years. His sophomore CD, “Life by Stereo”, is in my opinion a masterpiece recording. During my interview with this producer, singer and songwriter; I could not resist asking him if he knows that musically, he was ahead of his time. One listen to “Life by Stereo” and you will agree that J.R. is not typical “Gospel” artist.

Delroy: What’s up J.R.?

J.R.: What’s up Delroy, How are you doing man?

Delroy: I am blessed man, I have been enjoying the new CD and it is simply awesome! One of the things I like about this CD is the fact that even thought it is a cross over project, you clearly take the cross over with you which are to be commended, and also, you know that you are ahead of your time musically, you know this, right?

J.R.: Thank you so much. I try to stay on the cutting edge, I appreciate that.

Delroy: Why the title, “Life by Stereo?”

J. R.: “Life by Stereo” is really a concept I had by looking at the album cover of a famous rock band. That album came out either in the late eighties or early nineties, and the title of that album was “Death by Stereo.” I didn’t really know what the real meaning of that title was, but looking at it, I thought that was very profound. I wanted this album to be broad and reflect everything that I do in my everyday life, so when I was looking around for a title for this album, I thought about “Life by Stereo.” Instead of using my music to talk about women, money and cars; I use it to talk about the gospel which is life and how one can have it eternally in Christ. This album addresses real-life issues that we experience in pop culture today which often times distract us from seeing God, so whether you are listening to this album on your car stereo or home stereo, giving you life by stereo makes perfect sense.

Delroy: who are you hoping that this project will reach?

J.R.: I am hoping that it will reach most definitely my current audience. I am also praying that it attracts a new audience. “Metamorphosis” was a diary of J.R., so I had a lot of personal songs on it that reflected stuff I did from Cross Movement and what people had heard from me, but it really wasn’t the album of what was going on in my head musically and artistically. With this album, the label gave me the freedom to jump out there and did what I felt as a writer and producer, and with that I wanted to attract a totally different audience like the CCM audience whose music I listen to a lot. I didn’t want to leave them out like a regular R&B artist because my influence is so broad, also to the non-believers, I want them to listen to my music and be able to relate to it and get words of life from it.

Delroy: Some artist got discovered by being in the right place at the right time. How did you get the attention of Cross Movement records?

J.R.:  It was a blessing…something that I didn’t originally shoot for. As a producer, I produced F.L.A.M.E’s demo, and a while back Cross Movement has a concert in Chicago and we went up there just to see them because we were fans and big supporters of their music. We really didn’t have any plans of giving them the CD but we took it with us. After their concert, we got a chance to meet them and just gave them the CD and asked that whenever they got a chance to check it out. We never thought much of it because we know these guys got a lot of music all the time, but within two weeks John “Tonic” Wells called back and that was the beginning; they wanted to sign flame. We went on the “Platinum Soul” tour with them and they had no idea I was a singer, so once they heard me sing on the tour they became interested and approached me.

Delroy: What would you say inspired such creativity and uniqueness in your craft?

J.R.: I would say my exposure to good music. Even though I grew up with one foot in the church and the other on the streets, I was always a lover of R&B and other forms of music. I didn’t like church music and choir music; it was just so boring to me. Even going to church, I was just there because my mom and pop dragged me there. I was always intuned to the musical excellence coming from the streets.

Delroy: Finally J.R., some of us still do not understand that God gives us different gifts and talents and chooses how we use them. What would you say to anyone who may question your style of gospel music?

J.R.: I would challenge them to look at the scriptures. I once asked a good friend of mine who is a pastor, how to reach the youth and the un-Churched, and he just told me to go the gospel and look at the life of Jesus. That’s how I try to mirror my music. Jesus was stern when He had to be; but all of is His ministry He spent getting in touch with the human heart. He knew what to say at all times because He was God, but He was real personal, he didn’t go to them with a lot of theology. That is what I try to do with my music, keep truth in my music so that believers and non-believers can relate. I want to be able to relate to my listeners in a personal way and this is one of the reasons that I keep my ears to pop culture because things are changing, slangs are changing, certain topics are changing from year to year and so you have to stay in tuned to all of this without compromising your faith and beliefs.

Visit: www.jrsings.com