RSVP. STEP BY STEP. GOODBYE WHITNEY

 I'm back after a week long RSVP Chartered Cruise upon The Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam ship.  http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/NieuwAmsterdam?WT.mc_id=PPC_HQ_Google_US&WT.srch=1

I was opening night headliner. The gig was that I perform 2 shows in one night for 2 seatings in a luxurious theater with state-of-the-art facilities. Then I would be off for the rest of the week to enjoy the cruise. RSVP is a great company who enhances the cruise experience for the people of LGBT. I loved the whole experience. It was incredible!

That first night was a bit nerve wracking for me because slight adjustments had to be made to the show to accommodate an oncoming bout of laryngitis. It seems just before the flight I developed a cough that had been going around and it was starting to make me hoarse. I got through the show ok, but I know I could have been so much better if only I had not come down with that nasty cough. But necessity is the mother of invention and I was able to come up with a NEW set list that I thought was kinda cool:

HISTORY REPEATING......Jimmy James Tribute to Dame Shirley Bassey with authentic original track from songwriter Alex Gifford of The Propeller Heads.

SUMMER SUN.......Jimmy James w/Holland America Dancers in bathing suits and beach balls.

I WANNA BE EVIL....................Earta Kitt

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE U.........acappella short tribute to Whitney Houston

LOVE IS A LOSING GAME.......Amy Winehouse

WALKING IN MEMPHIS...........Cher

PRIVATE DANCER.....................Tina Turner

SINGLE LADIES..........................Liza (from Sex In The City II)

WHAT'LL I DO..............................Judy Garland

MARILYN YEARS TRIBUTE (DVD)........Jimmy James

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE (Bette Davis)

8 DIVAS.........................................8 Voices in one song.

FASHIONISTA ............................Jimmy James & Holland America Dancers.

Feb. 11, Saturday evening when I landed in Ft. Lauderdale before the cruise, my gang and others boarded the hotel van to take us to the overnight hotel. I had a gig to get ready for in Ft. Lauderdale that night called Bill's Filling Station.  While I was in the van, I was texting my friend Billy in L.A. when he suddenly texted me back that Whitney Houston died! I immediately texted back "You are kidding right?" He replied "No! It's on CNN right now!" I was in the front seat of the van and I immediately looked back to see if anyone was realizing it too on their smartphones. But the news was too fresh at that moment and people were just enjoying the evening ride to the hotel. Although I'm very shy with strangers, I had to blurt it out. It was so shocking and astounding. Audibly everybody was stunned and in disbelief. Gasping. NO!

With all of her spirituality, beauty, talent and support, she could not overcome that nasty demonic addiction. Somehow she couldn't. As of now, the toxicology reports are not in so I really should NOT assume.

When I was at a serious turning point in my life (mid to late '90s) in New York City trying to make my music happen (trying to break away from the the "drag" and go a different direction) there were so many naysayers discouraging me. So many said, "Why are you trying to get out of drag?"  "You can't record music you're too old" "You can't just stop doing Marilyn Monroe...." "Why are you sabotaging yourself?" etc, etc, etc...  I needed, at that time as always to really BELIEVE in myself. I needed to stay the course and keep the eye on the prize.  It was around that time that Whitney Houston's recording of "Step By Step" was released just in time to inspire me. The lyrics by Annie Lennox gave me hope to take it step by step and bit by bit, to achieve my dream - my vision. I needed this song to hold me up. It helped me keep the focus. In fact, VH1 did a piece on me and my journey and about what the song meant to me. I wish I knew where that tape was. 

My dream for my music and a turn-around in my career did happen. No longer do I have to perform in "drag."  I have explored and enhanced my show with the release of several recordings and Billboard charting songs. I have developed and gone beyond just being a sound-alike - I'm an artist. I'm not just an "imitator" but I'm an accomplished songwriter - Published!

I stayed the course and did it - STEP BY STEP. BIT BY BIT. MILE BY MILE. And I went MY OWN WAY through my journey.

As I said in the VH1 piece, "Thank You Whitney for the inspiration."

Now I've got Whitney on YouTube and her spiritual soulful singing will live on.

Good-bye Whitney...
May you & "the Voice" Rest In Peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVyO0I_kJuw&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL973010DCC856C83E

BUSY BUSY FEB. 2012

Just before the world ends, I'm enjoying one of the busiest February's of my career.
Usually February is kinda slow with gigs, but not this time. Whew!

This is a review from last week's show in Seattle, WA. I played a club called RE-BAR. The audience was great and the club had great sound. The people in Seattle were very nice.
http://sgn.org/sgnnews40_06/page31.cfm


I'm on my way to Ft. Lauderdale to perform Feb. 11 at a club called Bill's Filling Station.
Then on Sunday Feb. 12 I board the Nue Amsterdam Ocean Liner to perform that night for the RSVP CHARTER. The nice thing about this gig is that I will do 2 shows in one night and then I'm off for the rest of the cruise. I know tuff life but somebody has to do it. I'm very excited about the new Limited edition FASHIONISTA tshirts I had designed specifically for the cruise. I'll try to run a picture next time.

So take care. Bon Voyage!

I came back to LA Jan. 9, 2012.
I had a restful time in San Antonio at Mom's house. I keep a room there and have it configured very similar to my room in LA. It helps me to have familiarity of where I put things and kinda know where everything is so that the transition between places is easy.

My 2nd annual Christmas show Dec. 22, 2011 at The Bonham Exchange was a success again. My business doubled from last year. Maybe they'll have me back again next year. I appeared on local FOX KABB NEWS FIRST. They promoted me like a rock star. They promoted my Christmas album (now on iTunes) heavily as well as my Bonham show. I did some quick voices on camera from the the album and then when they came back from commercial break I did the Bette Davis 'Feliz Navidad' (with the wig & cigarette) live on camera. They played the show out with that.

Now I'm back in LA. I just finished a private event in Palm Springs at The Hilton Hotel this past Saturday. I also had a meeting at a local club there because I'm looking for a place to try out new material and have fun doing it. I'm looking for a place casual enough for fun but still conducive enough for live singing. Things are looking good. I'll announce it if it comes through.

SAN ANTONIO, TX CHRISTMAS SHOW! 12/22/11

 Home for the Holidays!
December 22, 2011 / 8pm

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/213314

This will be my 2nd Annual Christmas Show in my hometown of San Antonio. Last year was a blast and I'm planning a different show this year. I'll be doing a few Christmas songs from my recently added Christmas album to iTunes but I'll be doing a regular show including a new tribute to Amy Winehouse. Hope to see you there.

CHRISTMAS DREAMS COME TRUE

So Proud to Announce for the FIRST TIME EVER my

CHRISTMAS ALBUM IS NOW AVAILABLE ON iTUNES!

 I've wanted this to happen for so long but before uploading it, I wanted to include a bonus track of a song I wrote back in 1998 after my father passed away from Cancer.

I called up my friend / legendary music producer/arranger, Bob Esty here in Los Angeles who has worked with Cher, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer and many more.... in fact every time you hear "Last Dance" or "Take Me Home" - it's Bob Esty's musical arrangement and production!

I called him up to ask if he could make my wish come true, and he said YES! Along with David Arana, Bob Esty and I went to work in the studio. My dream came true! The little song I wrote came to life with the magic of Bob Esty and David Arana.

I performed the song for the first time this past Dec. 9th at The Cavern Club Theater at Casita del Campo in Los Angeles for my Christmas show. Bob Esty was in the house. I introduced him and everyone cheered. I sang the song live and it got ovations. It was a super fun night with friends and fans and newcomers alike who just wanted to check out my show.

So look up my Christmas album in iTunes. Play it at your parties and don't tell them right away who it is. Just let them wonder. I hope you enjoy the bonus track "First Christmas Without U" dedicated to my Dad Jim Johnson, and to anyone who has had to face that First Christmas without a loved one being there. Peace.

FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT U

Lyrics: JIMMY JAMES / Music produced & arranged: BOB ESTY, DAVID ARANA

IT'S COMIN' ON CHRISTMAS SOON

AND I'M SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE MOOD

GOT A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR

I GOT EVERYTHING I WANT AND SO MUCH MORE

BUT YOU'RE NOT HERE WITH ME

AND THOSE MEMORIES HANG ON THE TREE

BUT AS LONG AS YOU'RE MISSING

I'LL BE WISHING THAT YOU WERE HERE WITH ME

Chorus:

AND I KNOW THE SNOW'S ON THE WAY

BUT STILL IT WON'T BE THE SAME

WHAT AM I GONNA DO

ON THIS FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT U

EVERYONE'S FEELING THE JOY

AND THE CHILDREN ARE WAITING FOR TOYS

I DON'T WANNA BE DOWN

NOT WHEN SANTA CLAUSE IS COMIN' TO TOWN

AND I KNOW I GOTTA BE STRONG

SOMEHOW LEARN TO MOVE ON

BUT AS LONG AS YOU'RE MISSING

I'LL BE WISHING THAT YOU WERE HERE WITH ME

Chorus

Chorus

11/15 & MORE...WEEKEND SHOPPING SINGING & JUDGING

Nov. 15, 2011 Tuesday:
I did my show at Casita del Campo. I had a great audience. I was in excellent voice. I even sang "Evergreen" for the Streisand voice. I rarely ever do this number because it's toooo hard. I got 2 standing ovations. Sold a lot of merch. My longtime friend/designer Michael Schmidt showed up. with Moniker Mgmt's Diana Coney. Also the talented male actress Jackie Beat came with writer Muffy Bolding, actress Selene Luna, actor/club impresario Mario Diaz,  entertainer Calpernia, star trainer Craig Ramsay, legendary music producer Bob Esty and more people from music, television and film. Although I was kinda feeling a little low, the audience really picked me up and I had a great time.  November 15 holds memories that I try to ignore. But I won't go into it.
http://www.michaelschmidtstudios.com/
http://missjackiebeat.com/
http://seleneluna.com/site/
http://www.monikermgmt.com/mainmenu.html 
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0225019/   (Mario Diaz)
http://www.calpernia.com/
http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2011/02/bob-esty-has-worked-with-some-divas.html (Bob Esty)  
http://www.craigramsayfitness.com/     


Nov. 20, 2011 Saturday: 
Woke up at Billy's. We went shopping. He bought a BIG Karaoke Machine so that we can all sing at his Thanksgiving party. Only problem is...the neighbors! He also bought a big refrigerator for his back porch patio and a bunch of stuff at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Billy rolling out the Karaoke Machine to put in his car. That's the owner Faye (R) who sold the machine and lots of Karaoke CDs. She wants her dolly back. http://singingstore.com/

 Nov. 21, 2011 Sunday:
Sunday Morning I woke up in Sherman Oaks at my friend Billy's house. He has a room there for me to get away. I go up to the mountain, I hear Paula Abdul lives on his street, maybe I'll go Christmas caroling at her house.  It was pouring rain & cold this Morning! In L.A. most people don't know how to handle this weather but it was so refreshing and cool. The rain cleans the air. We need that.  I stumbled out of bed like Dolly Parton without her wig and went to the kitchen. I love using Keurig 1 cup-at-a-time coffee maker.  I discovered Emiril's Big Easy Intense coffee - so good.  Billy bought it yesterday at Bed Bath & Beyond. I like a good strong coffee. Even though it's bold and intense, it had a slight hickory smooth overtone - not bitter at all.

http://www.coffee.org/products/view.php?item=347

It was so hard for me to figure out how I would muster the energy to go out tonight but I had a commitment to judge a "Cabaret Idol" contest at The Hollywood Bar & Grill on Sunset and Gower. Even though I just wanted to date Emeril and kick it down a notch with some coffee and chill out. Billy brought KFC original recipe. OH LORD... I have not eaten this stuff in over a year. I've kinda been eating vegan lately - not 100% but leaning towards it somewhat. I had a small amount  of KFC and tried not to think about the investigative report by Brian Ross at ABC NEWS expose on the Sparboe facility in Vincent, Iowa. They showed the chickens are unsanitary and gross and McDonalds pulled out of their contract with the facility. The chicken wing I ate had broken bones. The chicken is not healthy. I'm grossing myself out...yuk. Whenever I eat vegan, I never feel tired or bloated. Eating vegan makes me feel nourished.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/mcdonalds-dumps-mcmuffin-egg-factory-health-concerns/story?id=14976054#.TsuEuPHFgvo

6:30pm I eventually took my flesh-eating body down to judge "Cabaret Idol" and I was so entertained with the  talent of the contestants. The contest is weekly every Sunday at 7pm but I only judged this one night. I sang "8 Divas" with a live piano player and drums. I think I did pretty good. I got a rousing ovation. Everybody was very nice to me.
https://www.facebook.com/cabaretidol

Late night snack: Ranch corn nuts and Good n Plenty licorice candy...Very VEGAN.

CHRISTMAS SHOWS!

I am so excited to announce that I will be doing my Christmas show at Casita del Campo's CAVERN CLUB THEATER for the first time! December 8 & 9, 2011. The last of the jewel case Christmas CDs will be available at the show before it all goes digital on iTunes. The artwork on the CD (front & back is by Alvaro in New York City). http://cavernclubtheater.com/

I am also going to do my 2nd annual Christmas show in my own hometown of San Antonio, TX at The Bonham Exchange Dance club - December 22, 2011. Tickets available very soon at BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM

I will sing some excerpts from my popular Christmas album as well of some, not so Christmas songs. In the past when I've tried to do a show with only Christmas songs, it felt too boring. So I will do a well rounded show with a sprinkling of Holiday Cheer.


Hope you can make it!

Front of my Christmas CD. Beautiful artwork by Alavaro NYC.

Back of my Christmas CD. Artwork by Alvaro. It's kind of a Marilyn Snow man...lol.