The Legendary Jimmy James has moved to Los Angeles from New York City and HE MEANS BUSINESS. The artist formerly known as "Marilyn Monroe" has definitely evolved and is releasing his own original dance album titled, “Jamestown” featuring the top ten Billboard club hit “FASHIONISTA.” James has established a residency at The Upright Cabaret located at Rockwell in Los Feliz, CA. As if that wasn’t enough to keep this man busy he has just shot a reality show pilot called "RE-INVENTING JIMMY JAMES" which is being pitched right now. So many things in the works… So much to tell!
Let me reintroduce you to the Legendary Jimmy James:
Is Jimmy James your real name? If not, where did it come from? My real name is JAMES JUDE JOHNSON. I always went by Jimmy Johnson but that sounded so "sports player" and I was not a sports player, I was a Drama Queer. My friend in High School used to call me 'Jimmy J.' I liked the sound of it and extended it to 'James.' Being a Gemini I thought it was cleaver to have both names be twins: the informal name and the formal.
What moved you from New York to Los Angeles? I love Show Business and LA has it here.
I lived in LA between 1989 & 1993. I only moved to New York for Dance Music in '93. In the early 90's LA was soaking in Rock & Roll ONLY. New York held promise for me in Dance Music. In '98 I released "Who Wants To Be Your Lover." Years later after finally achieved my goal to write a hit Dance Song (FASHIONISTA) and a full dance album (JAMESTOWN), the music industry changed so much. I felt I wanted to get back to LA where so much real show business happens. I love NYC, but right now there's a Bank on every corner and it made me bitter. Also after 15 Winters I was done. I'm also here to stalk Derek Hough from Dancing With The Stars! Don't tell anybody.
Tell me a bit about your Dance Record "Jamestown" I'm very proud of my album "JAMESTOWN." I wrote all the songs. It tells stories within the Dance Music genre. All the stories come from my life: gay, drag, fashion, heartbreak, love, dance floors, happiness, jealousy, fame and futuristic predictions. Dare I say, so many of the things I write about are similar to GaGa's first album, it's spooky. She and I are inspired by a lot of the same things in art and life. I did not know about her album until mine was done.
What goes through your mind when you see MANY of the THOUSANDS of Drag Queens that perform "Fashionista?" I LOVE IT! It's a dream come true! It's the BIGGEST compliment! I've gone on YouTube to see queens around the world doing it. It was something that I dreamed about ever since I went into my first Gay bar to see a drag show. I always wondered if I would ever be able to write a song that Queens would want to perform. I was jealous back in the day when I would see queen's doing RuPaul's "Supermodel." It's an even bigger compliment when it gets played on film or tv because I get paid for that. I'm so happy to make money while lying in bed. Just like the old days. I feel I've accomplished something I can finally call my own.
How does performing with Upright Cabaret differ from Clubs? For the UPRIGHT I show a wide range of my talent, the voice impressions and my original music. For CLUBS it's basically a track date of my own music from JAMESTOWN including FASHIONISTA. Cabaret you make love, Club dates it's a quicker slam bam thank you man! Both are fun for me.
Whats next for Jimmy James? I've just shot a Reality show pilot called "Re-Inventing Jimmy James" and it's being shopped around now. I'm also going to tour more, hopefully mostly on the West Coast for now. And I'm going to be making more appearances in West Hollywood so watch out! NO ONE UGLY ALLOWED!
See Jimmy James LIVE on stage @ Upright Cabaret April 2 & 3
Upright Cabaret on Vermont
1714 N. Vermont
(corner of Hollywood and Vermont)
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Go To www.uprightcabret.com to buy tickets
And for EVERYTHING Jimmy James visit his Official Website @ www.jimmyjames.com
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