Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

She swept into the Rum Boogie in the wee hours of the morning in Memphis, Tennessee. This dark haired beauty created quite a stir and was obviously recognized by many. She tossed her coat to the side, sported a ready smile, threw back her head and laughed heartily. Bob Margolin called out to her, asking her to join him and the “boys” on the stage. She bounced onto the stage and immediately asked them (the boys) what they wanted to play. I loved the fact that this mystery woman was not going to be the center of the show but a part of the show. What a voice, what a sound. Her name…Janiva Magness.

I next saw her at the Blues Heritage Festival in Wheeling, West Virginia. There she stood, center stage, wearing a white halter, “Marilyn Monroe” dress, looking glamorous despite the excessive heat that day. The wind swirled the dress as she romped over that stage. While many were wilting in the heat, she amazed the massive crowd when she proclaimed that she was a grandmother. Her sassy and bold energy exploded on the stage and brought a new energy to the crowd. The crowd roared its approval; this was one hot grandmother!!!

During the 2008 Blues Challenge in Memphis, I attended a meeting to explore the Blues in Schools Program. There sat Janiva across the table from me. Again, she had swept in with a graceful, casual and confident ease that so enthralled me. With spectacles on, this woman talked about her affiliations with foster care programs. Her words were soft yet direct. Her intensity and passion came directly from her heart. I felt connected the moment that she revealed the trials of her childhood and her at–times perilous journey to becoming the 2006 and 2007 Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year. I wanted to know more about her, I wanted to be her. (Yes, I was enthralled with her vivaciousness and her down-to earth quality that many seek but never find…and that amazing voice!)

While doing my research for the interview with Ms. Magness, the following review from No Depression Magazine best describes this outstanding artist, “Janiva Magness slow-burns and romps heart-first. She never injects with contrived emotion, never puts a tear in her voice where one doesn’t belong. She simply sings heartbreak, hunger and humor-sings ‘em with equally great chops and feeling-and lets that speak for itself.”

Jonnye: With eight award winning CDs and having literally done it all throughout your career (booking agent, a producer, technician, manager, recording artist and musician), it is hard to believe that at fourteen years of age that you were ‘hitchhiking across Minneapolis on a cold, blustery night, wondered into a nightclub and suddenly discovered the blues. Your bio states that a blistering guitarist named Otis Rush was your salvation and introduced you to the world of blues. You were once quoted as saying that…“It helped you hang onto life.” Would you like to share what changed your life at the point?
Janiva Magness: First, it was not a cognitive experience. I had already become familiar with blues music. Otis Rush’s performance was very real and was very riveting. I was deeply moved. I knew internally that I felt like it would be all right to be connected deeply with what he was doing. Otis Rush was deeply committed to what he was playing and singing. He sang of the sorrows of the Deep South. There was no pretense.

J: It has been noted that you were surprised that after finding the blues that “ the blues was not only for healing but for money also.” You followed the music of artists like Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins. From those early starts, how did you determine where you were going or…what were life’s lessons?
J.M.: (Immediately and without hesitation) Persistence. Persistence is a powerful thing. I am very grateful. I did not choose the Blues. The Blues chose me.

J. The BSWPA does a “Blues is a Healer Tour” at our local Veterans Homes. We have many musicians who donate their talent and their music. The feedback from that endeavor has proven to be overwhelming with the outpouring of appreciation from the veterans. I understand that in April 2008, that you co-headlined the Bluzapalooza in Iraq and Kuwait. It was the first ever Blues concert tour to perform for the American troops. Who went with you? How did the troops react to a “big dose of the blues”? Are there plans to go back?
J.M. My band went with me. Bobby Rush and Billy Gibson, a harp player from Memphis, went also. They (the troops) loved the music. They were very grateful and happy. They said things like: “I can’t believe that you came so far,” “You made us feel like we were at home.” (In a husky, quiet voice)…There was definitely a human connection. I knew that I had a job to do. I do not want to be political about this. I went there simply to do a job, to do my best and to carry a piece of home to the hearts of the soldiers. I have no plans to return but there is another tour going over.

J. I listened to your talk at the Blues Foundation Conference where you spoke of your ties with the Casey Family Program for foster care. Having been the official spokesperson for National Foster Care in May, how does your troubled past help you contribute to helping young people who are in need. How do you see yourself in this role as a role model? (After the tragic death of her parents, Janiva had gone through twelve foster care homes in a two-year period.)
J.M. (Her voice had become softer but her words had become very emphatic and earnest at this point.) I have “taken control of my life.” I am a foster care alumnus with the Casey Family Program. I am their “success story.” I am able to give hope to people. I am here to show them that no matter what is given to them in their life that they can still make choices. We all have difficult stories from time to time. (Her voice became very intense.) The “pieces of my life” no longer define me. I no longer live in the plane. I have been to the dark side and sometimes have dark days, but I now know peace and happiness. I am here to encourage those who lack hope to accept their problems. Love is the answer. Love…period. Children in foster care are a large problem in this country today. On any given day, 513,000 kids are in foster care. It is a very serious struggle within our system.

J. What do we need to do to “save” our kids?
J.M. (The intensity in Janiva’s voice increased. It was calm but with a decided determination.) Our kids are our future! These kids need mentors. They need to know what it is like to be loved. We need to be volunteers. Volunteers can do something. We, as volunteers can change a life. (Quite emphatically and very insistent she added the following...) Foster youths suffer from posttraumatic syndrome at twice the rate as our Gulf War Vets. What are we producing if we cannot take care of our kids? The remedy or solution is to communicate the plight of these kids and to encourage people to help themselves.

J.M. (Interjecting at this point) My newest CD is entitled, “What Love Will Do.” The songs are about love and how that love will benefit those “kids at risk.” I was the May spokesperson for the Casey Programs but I campaign for foster care all year. I travel everywhere and talk about the situation. I talk with everyone from social workers, to probation officers and to the kids themselves. It helps to hear. Again, it is all about communication and love. You can take the “greatest tragedy and turn it into your “greatest asset.” (Her words were very moving and extremely passionate) You can learn to go beyond the pain if you have love and have a place to go. The question is: What are you going to do with what you are given.”

J. Is there something that you would like to add before we finish today?
J.M. I am grateful for all that has been given to me. I am very happy to be with Alligator. I am living a life that is unimagined. It is remarkable. I am grateful for the opportunity.

–Jonnye Weber