I finally got to meet Jesse.

Anyone that knows anything about music, in particular guitar players, knows the name "Jesse Johnson." And for those who don't know who Jesse is, he's this mythical figure in music. Seriously, it's almost as if Jesse isn't real or never really existed. He's some computer generated hologram that only was real in the movies or something. But I got to meet "thee" Jesse.


The first introduction wasn't an introduction. I had to quickly jump into a picture with his bandmates in The Time. Everything was kinda a blur and when I turned around he was gone. Just like the myth, he was never really there.

The following evening I had the job, should I say honor, of interviewing the 7 members of The Time for their last show in Las Vegas. A packed house Harrahs Flamingo hotel & I'm hanging with these guys like the days of Sinatra's Ocean's 11. The amount of history of the Flamingo with Sammy, Dean, Sinatra & me became a bit overwhelming. The story continues in the next set of events.

Miss Monroe, the dame, in a room of Stacy Adams & tailor made suits. These gentlemen don't shop at JC Penney's for their threads (ain't nothing wrong with that if they did) . They were dressed to finish a business deal. Yet again, I'm living one of these Forrest Gump type of moments. I just "happen" to be in the right place at the right time.

I setup to conduct this piece of history with shot nerves and looking around the room for a drink. I think the greatness of the situation was getting to me. The presence of touring Time bass player Ricky "Freeze" Smith helps calm my nerves. As many times I've been around Freeze, I can say he's always been the same nice dude to talk to. Did I mention how clean everyone was dressed? Something about men in suits, its just in Morris Day's words + + Too Sexy ++

It's like watching a tennis match. I'm watching the guys walk back and forward. There's Jimmy Jam, Chairman of the Recording Academy, the kids of these guys who are all around my own age & all these people in the room. I'm waiting for someone to say something, but I'm just the "Girl Friday" here. I'm doin the Lois Lane thing with a room full of Supermen. Then Terry Lewis goes "Jesse, this is Jill, she's gonna interview you."

As Jesse sits on the couch I think he see's the stunned look on my face. I kinda shoot a look back at Jerome like "I was not prepared to interview Jesse." Jerome shoots back this devilish look. I swear this stuff only happens in the movies & to me. Two hours prior I did my Barbara Walters question & answer practice session in the mirror upstairs with prepped questions for the group. Now I'm about to interview this guy that everyone (and I do mean everyone) has been trying to find for the past 18 years.

I guess I should be polite and shake his hand first....
[Edited 8/12/08 11:09am]

Niiiiice!

...eagerly awaiting Part 2!!!!
GGD

Jill!

this is Jill too. Please tell me there is more!!!
& tell me more about those "devilish looks" he gives!!!

I died when he gave me one!!
or maybe i was just dreaming!!!

DJJillMonroe said:

can't wait 2 find out where he's been since Pandemonium-Bare My Naked Soul.....

DJJillMonroe said:

Can't wait to read the rest. I know how you feel. I've been following the other guys all over the South ever since they got back together in late 95, but I hadn't meet or seen Jesse play live until Vegas.I had one of those Jerome moments when he was like "come to sound check and meet Jesse" The first time I saw him was at sound check before the first show and when he hit Skillet I died. Whoa, he really does exist.I had the pleasure of meeting him later on and in the course of 8 shows I saw the most awesome display of guitar playing that I have ever witnessed in Person.

Dude is just so Humble and he is hilarious as well.I have a few stories I could tell that most people wouldn't believe anyway, but it was such a unique experience that I'm not going to blab it all over the net. Sorry to be such a tease, but if you get a chance to see the man solo and/or with the Time. GO. it will be an experience you will never forget

Part 2

Jesse sits on the couch, I can tell he’s a bit apprehensive. Born Jesse Woods Johnson, my earliest childhood memories of Jesse were his trademark color – Pink. Now he sits in front me, not looking a day past 25. It’s crazy how time just stands still for some people. Dressed in a dark blue suit and long dress coat I’m repeating in my head “don’t mess up Monroe, don’t mess up Monroe.” I look down at his white shoes and look at my banana yellow pumps under my black slacks and think “Man this dude is gonna think I can’t color coordinate.” Little does anyone know I had a wardrobe malfunction and had to stick with my current set of play-clothes. His eyes are hidden under the brim of his hat but I know it’s still that guy from those music videos & who wrote Jungle Love. I click into news reporter mode and here we go.

Now at this point folks I can’t give details because this interview WAS recorded and will be broadcasting very soon!

Our interview wrapped up as the stage guys call for the band to hit the stage. The fellas tease me for keeping my composure when they knew I wanted to fall out live on camera. Talk about under pressure. The one thing I can say for the interview is Jesse’s shear amazement that people really dug his music and missed seeing him on the stage again. He’s also a man on a mission. His sentiments are similar to Time member Terry Lewis with regards to their feelings of responsibility to give back what they’ve been given from music. It’s a changing of the guard in the business. It’s time for the adults to come back and take control of things.




Sunday morning I’m in a mad rush to pack up for my flight home. I’m having second thoughts about leaving that afternoon. I felt like I was leaving so much stuff unfinished and a part of me needed the vacation away from the hustle & grind of the Midwest. I’ve already rescheduled my flight once, I’m not about to change it twice.

A light bulb goes off in the back of my head that I needed to talk to Jesse again to hear his stuff. Honestly I don’t usually get artists at his level excited to hear new music. Remember, Jesse doesn’t exist in real life right? After our first interview the prior evening we briefly discussed his background growing up in East St. Louis. Then we had a “Kevin Bacon 6 Degrees of Separation” moment when he realized we knew some of the same people in the same bands around town. The conversation probably would have never ended except for the fact that I nearly made the band late for hitting the stage on time. Miss Monroe, what can I say, I love a good discussion.....



www.myspace.com/timewitnessnews
[Edited 8/12/08 12:05pm]
[Edited 8/12/08 12:05pm]