We were lucky to catch up with Kelly Love Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kelly, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
In many ways, becoming a mother had a lot to do my risk taking skills.
In 2010, I decided to go on tour. I called it the “Triumphant Tour”. I had only 3 shows lined up in L.A.
How did I make a tour out of 3 shows you ask? I had a one way ticket to L.A., 3 shows, a guitar, a baby, a diaper bag, a clothes bag, a stroller, a cd bag and $80 t0 my name. By the end of the 3rd show, I had accumulated enough shows and contacts to put together a tour throughout most of California, from Sacramento to San Diego, for the next 9 months. I played night after night with my son (who was only 2 years young at the time) either sitting on one leg and the guitar on the other or roaming around the stage or asleep inside of my guitar case that was placed on the stage next to me. My message at the time for my audience was to be Triumphant in following your dreams and if we are to tell our children that they can be and do anything that they want to in life, we better be that living example. Travelling with my son by my side doing what I love, which was playing music, was definitely being that example. With following your dreams there are risks and challenges that when the moment arises and the opportunity is there, you gotta jump on it. Which leads me to the next part of the story…the risk…
A first class seat, a dirty diaper, and a cd…
While in the airport in L.A. on our way to catch a flight to Baltimore, which turned out to be the last leg of the tour, my eyes became mesmerized on a beautiful red leather guitar bag. I had never seen such a wonderfully crafted bag like that before. My favorite color is red so I was even more in LOVE with this bag. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it. As I’m staring at the bag, a gentle voice in my head says “follow the bag. Keep following the bag.” As I’m following the bag, the owner of the bag finally finds a seat to rest before boarding the plane. Where? Right in front of ME! So I say to the owner, “Excuse me sir, but where did you get this bag? It’s absolutely beautiful!” He begins to tell me where he got it from but as he’s telling me, we were interrupted by the announcer coming on to explain the boarding process. The bag owner politely excuses himself and starts walking towards a woman in a wheelchair with REALLY big hair. I mean REALLY BIG HAIR. He starts to push her towards the gate and they wind up right behind me in line. The attendant politely asks me to move back a little so that the woman in the wheelchair can get on the plane first. So I say “Of course!” and begin to move out of the way, until the lady in the wheelchair turns to me and says, “No baby! You go in front of me. You have your baby and all of your bags to carry. Please go in front of me.” When I finally saw the woman’s face, I knew exactly who she was…CHAKA KHAN! I think to myself, “WHAT???!!! Is that CHAKA KHAN? WAIT? Did Chaka Khan just let me skip her in line???” My heart started racing as I politely thanked her for letting us get in front of her. All the while I am boarding the plane and getting to our seats, I’m trying to figure out how I can get my music into the hands of CHAKA KHAN.
She boards and comfortably gets into her seat in first class. As everyone else starts to settle and get seated, I began to conjure up my genius plan of how to get my music into Ms. Chaka’s hands. I grabbed my latest cd out of my bag and started my motion towards first class. I have flown dozens of times in my life at this point but for some reason going from seat 27A to first class, never seemed so long of a journey. Armed with my cd in one hand and a dirty diaper in the other, I rushed up to the first class curtain. There was a stewardess standing guard in front, blocking me from what I felt was one of the biggest risks I had ever taken. There’s no way she is gonna stop me I thought. As she began to say, “Ms. you can not go into…” I quickly made a turn into the bathroom to throw the diaper away and as I can came back out of the bathroom room, I made a smooth 180 degree spin right passed her and into first class. She came running behind me trying to stop me but by the time she could catch me, I was already at the seat of Chaka Khan. My heart was racing but I knew that I had to take this chance. I said, “Ms. Chaka Khan it is an honor and a privilege to meet you! I would love to be able to give you my music.” I handed her my cd. She said, “Thank you baby. I will listen to this. I will definitely listen to this.” Then I said, “Ms. Chaka, I am a single mother, touring with my son, following my dreams to be a successful musician. Do you have any advice or words of encouragement that you can give me?” And she said, “NEVER. GIVE. UP! Whatever you do, whatever happens, whatever people say, NEVER GIVE UP!” I had heard that statement before 100’s of times in my life but there was something about hearing it from her, in that moment, in that setting that has stuck with me throughout my journey as a musician. From that day on, I can still hear her say, “NEVER. GIVE. UP” and it still inspires me to keep on pushin’.
If I hadn’t have taken that risk to go on that tour and then to get my music into the hands of Chaka Khan, I would have never heard that message from a LEGEND in the industry and received those beautiful words of encouragement and resilience that have lived in my heart to this day.
I hope that this story gives inspiration and encouragement to many others to live their dreams, take risks and most importantly NEVER. GIVE. UP.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am professional musician/storyteller of over 30 years. Music is my passion and purpose. In 2006, I was sent to Barcelona, Spain to attend the World Music Summit to be given the highest honors I have received thus far in my career. I was appointed by the United Nations as a “Messenger of Truth” for my music inspiring impoverished youth around the WORLD. As a songwriter I live to tell stories of triumph, possibilities, love and forgiveness so receiving this honor has been the single most important recognition that confirmed to me that I was walking my truth and living the dream. From that experience, I now know that I am on the right path to play my part for the betterment of humanity as a whole.
Storytelling was a gift that was given to me by my grandmother, affectionately called by her grandchildren, Mama Helen. She was one of the most intriguing and amazing storytellers that I’ve ever witnessed in this lifetime. She would speak of instances where it seemed as if the story was tragic but by the end of it you were in stitches from laughter. I learned of the healing power and significance of her storytelling once when she carried me along with her to the hospital to visit a close friend who was taking her last breaths (my grandmother quite often felt it was important for me to tag along with her). When we reached the hospital, the dying woman’s daughter told my grandmother, “Mrs. McGee, make her laugh. Can you please just make her laugh for me.” My grandmother began to tell a story to the woman in the hospital bed and you could just feel the relief in the room as she began. It was at this moment that I recognized the power of my grandmother’s words and stories. She had completely transformed a space from being a place of quiet and sorrow into a space of joy and laughter which then welcomed in the beauty and peace for the transition of this woman’s life. It is from my grandmother’s existence that I continue to be that storyteller through my music and my life. So when my aunt gave me my first guitar and told me that she would only let me keep it if I made a promise to her that I would continue to play, it only made sense to me to combine these 2 gifts and turn them into an art form that has changed my life into an eternal exhibit of stories and music.
I am currently focusing on gathering the necessary team to begin a promotional tour for my current project. I truly believe and this project should be heard globally as the mission continues for inspiring not only impoverished youth, but humanity as a whole.
Last year I released an album by the name of “TRUST” that I am extremely proud of.
TRUST in yourself.
TRUST in the Creator
TRUST in the process
I put a lot of time, attention and intention behind it and I know that it has stories to offer that we can benefit and heal from. I am a visionary so once the album was complete, I began to formulate what a TRUST show would look like which then began the creation of an entire production entitled “TRUST” of which I wrote, produced, directed and starred in. This show has been premiered in several museums and venues in Louisiana and in Atlanta, GA to an extremely wide and diverse audience.
I have released new music and remixed songs from the “TRUST” album that I have been creating with an amazing super, producer by the name of Deezle who is a 3x Grammy Award winner and has sold millions of albums/ singles with various artist around the world. It has been such an honor to work with such a musical genius! How we began to work with each other is another story in itself.
The “TRUST” album is available on all streaming platforms and on my website.
The new songs and remixes are currently available for download on my website as well.
Please see links below for latest album, new songs, KLJ merch and promo for “TRUST” production:
www.kellylovejonesmusic.com
“TRUST” album streaming links:
kellylovejones.hearnow.com
“TRUST” Production Promo
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Learn the business of music. Many artists shy away from this part of the entertainment industry but it is essential that an artist learn as much as they can about the business. At the very least, learn the basics. It will be extremely helpful for you along the way as money comes into the picture. Also, music conferences and classes are super helpful in assisting to educate artists about the music business. That’s their main focus.
Learn how to negotiate and read contracts. Know your rights as an artist and stick up for yourself. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t sign it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Call the businesses that can help answer your questions, ie. BMI, ASCAP, etc. I promise you that they are more than willing to help. That’s what they are there for. They want to help you succeed as well.
You should have someone who is knowledgeable about contracts and negotiating on your team. If you can’t afford an attorney, look into some resources/organizations in your city or state that may provide pro bono assistance. For example, the Ella Project is a pro bono organization that helps a lot of musicians in Louisiana with legal paperwork, how to fill out forms for your royalties, negotiating contracts and much much more. This organization has given me a sense of safety when it comes to the business side of music. The Ella project always considers what’s best for each negotiating situation.
Ask your fellow peers/musicians how to do certain things. Nine times out of ten they have messed up on the same thing and figured out how to do it right and are more than willing to help.
Believe in the value of your work and never be afraid to ask for what you feel it’s worth. Some artists are willing to just go out and play for free just to get their name out. Sometimes that can work in your favor and sometimes it doesn’t. If it feels like an opportunity that can be beneficial, by all means go for it. If not, wait until it feels right. Also, don’t assume you know what someone can afford to pay you or what their budget is. Ask first what’s in their budget. Then let them know what you feel is worth your time and your effort and negotiate from there. Really take a moment to think to yourself about the time, the practice, the equipment you’ve purchased, the money you’ve invested in your craft, physical pains you’ve endured, and everything else that you do for your craft when negotiating a paying gig.
My friend, please know that YOU ARE WORTH IT!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Paulo Coelho wrote this book called, “The Alchemist”. I have read this book at least a half a dozen times and I find myself re-reading it at the most significant shifts in my life.
This book speaks of a young man on his personal life journey to find his treasure. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kellylovejonesmusic.com
- Instagram: @kellylovejones
- Facebook: Kelly Love Jones
- Linkedin: Kelly Love Jones
- Twitter: @kellylovejones
- Youtube: Kelly Love Jones
Image Credits
Aaye Creates Tshanti Photography
