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Felicia's Madcap Podcast

Jarvis Thompson speaks with DJ Pressure

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Introducing JL Thompson

Jarvis (JL) Thompson grew up in Laurel, MS. He considers Laurel his city roots and Bassfield, MS his country influence since it’s his father’s birth town. The artist is the oldest of two sisters and has no brothers a part of his bloodline but surrounds himself with several bonds that are just as strong as if they were. He is a lovely father to his son and a supportive husband to his pregnant wife, USM alumnae, Brandy Thompson.

Church Roots

JL started singing at church where his father is pastor. The congregation has always been supportive of the artist and his music, but his first major appearance was actually at his preschool gradation. Jarvis’ mother and father are his number one supporters. While being known for his outgoing personality, he takes his place in the community as an artist and truck driver. He graduated from Laurel High School, attended Jones Community College, and is currently a senior at Williams Care pursuing healthcare. Along the way he gained an electrical certification since being an artist was not originally a thought. It just began to grow on him and his family. Thompson is also known for his piano and organ skills.

Jarvis, Wife, and Son
Jarvis + Brandy Thompson

Kamron is JL’s five year old son and is very vocal about the sound of his father’s music. This is held in high regard by Jarvis due to difference in finances after the birth of his son. From struggling to provide a “Happy Meal” for his toddler to becoming a truck driver or “Mr. Big Truck Driva”. Jarvis ultimately put God first and trusted his plan for his life. The artist went through a faze of consecration with God. The intent – finding out who he was and his purpose in life. Once it became clear, Jarvis continued to pursue his calling as an artist.

JL Thompson

JL Thompson As An Artist

Johnny Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, and Little Milton are all major influences because of his father’s choice of music. JL Thompson would appear on Facebook singing to gain viewers from time to time. What once came across as a joke about being a blues singer, is now his reality. He continued to move forward in the Southern Soul community. Writing his first song “Gold Digger”, which was based off a conversation with his brother who had concerns about dating a woman who always wanted him to pay for her things. A woman who had expensive taste but also a cheater.

While attending the “Jackson Music Awards” for the first time, I had the opportunity to meet several artist like Castro Colman, Stan Dixon, JWonn, Jeter Jones, and many others.

JL Thompson believes praying daily with his team provides a level of strength which open doors no man can close in personal life and career. It’s important to do this because of his involvement with different people and spirits. His second song was “Hey, Mr. Truck Driva”. This song was based off a lady at the truck stop offering service to please the truck driver and wasn’t too aesthetically pleasing. This song was based off a true story. The lady charges 40.00 to provide a service but once done she’s on to the next truck driver. JL Thompson’s third song “Big Truck Driva”, encourages others to date a truck driver. This song was created to give appreciation to male and female truck drivers. He sings about having a supportive wife who takes rides on the road with him and don’t mind pleasing her husband on the road.

JL Thompson’s “Greenwood Whiskey”

JL Thompson is not only an artist but a smart businessman. His next song “Take A Shot” is based off of his new whiskey. The song speaks about working all week and finally being able to relax at his favorite spot. Once there, he would ask the bartender to pour him up a shot of his favorite whiskey. Greenwood Whiskey was created from a tasting in Colombia with his cofounder. He is the first Southern Soul artist with a major liquor brand behind his name. He promotes his partners’ whiskey at all his shows.

Thompson also has a trucking company “T3 Express” which is managed by his wife. JL Thompson is hoping for nomination in 2024 at the JMA’s. He’s performed at the “Denim and Diamonds” event in Columbia, MS. He has performed next to artist like Lamarus Williams, Chris Ivy, Big Yayo, LJ Echols, Jeter Jones, Willie Cayton, Ken Wolf, Dru Evens, Bobby Rush and so many more. He even sang background with Stacy Adams and had a chance to perform at Calvin Richardson showcase. which was a spontaneous decision by Calvin. His goal is to be able to work with King George and LJ Echols one day. Jarvis L Thompson is just looking to grow and continue to support his family while putting God first.

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Felicia’s Madcap Podcast: Troop talks about their new single “Lady In My Life”

Troop
TROOP

On March 30th at 7 pm CST, I had the pleasure to interview TROOP. The legendary R&B group which consisted of five black young American all male singing group from Pasadena, California. Troop had earned three #1 singles and ten singles that were top 10 for weeks on Billboard. Their achievements have earned them five albums that included three certified gold and one certified platinum album.

THE MEANING BEHIND TROOP

TROOP stood for something more than just a group but actual meaning. Total Respect Of Other People. The group is most well known and respected for its record-breaking number of R&B hits including the cover versions of the songs “All I Do Is Think of You” and “Sweet November”, originally performed by all-time singers The Jackson 5 and The Deele, respectively.

The original song “Spread My Wings” also took off as a number-one hit in during their career.

TROOP


Starting in the 1980s, after winning on a televised lip singing talent show called “Puttin’ on the Hits,” the group had begun to earn interest from record labels.

Troop was a group created by Rodney Benford with childhood friends Steve Russell, Allen McNeil, John Harreld, and Reggie Warren, whom all eventually signed with Atlantic Records. Troop released their single “Mamacita” from the groups album in 1988. “Mamacita” had gone as high as Number 2 on the Billboard’s R&B Chart.

BODY OF WORK

“Spread My Wings” and “All I Do Is Think of You” (a Jackson 5 cover) were all singles from the album Attitude. Hitting number one charts and remained in the top 10 for several weeks.  Attitude went platinum in 1990.


In 1992 Deepa was released, resulting in the single “Sweet November” hitting number one on Billboard. The group doubled back from Deepa with two more albums, A Lil’ Sumpin’ Sumpin’ (1994) and Mayday (1998).

After releasing Mayday in 98, Troop took a break to rebuild, redirect, and refocus on other work behind
the scenes. From writing and producing projects, collaborations and other endeavors it helped to shape the men they are today.


In 2004, Troop reconnected and begun touring the country while finishing up their sixth album. Since returning, they’ve headlined several shows and also shared performances with other artists they toured with in the past. Artists like Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Keith Sweat, Silk, Mario and Jon B.

NATIONAL ACCLAIM

Troop was showcased on The Late Show with David Letterman, Train and It’s Showtime at the Apollo. Troop made an appearance on the feature film New Jack City, singing a cappella while participating in a soundtrack with Queen Latifah and Gerald Levert. Producing remarkable covers of The O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money” and Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City”.

In October 2006 “Troop” collaborated with “The Mixx” radio station, becoming the root the group and its growth. Russell is the singing voices of several characters, among them doo-wop singer Little Albert and the five brothers who make up the Jackson 5 pastiche (The Campbell Connection) in the 2006 film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls.

Steve Russell also wrote “Take You Down” for Chris Brown, “No Air” for Jordin Sparks, and the Grammy Award-winning “Invisible” for Jennifer Hudson. In February 2010 he released his solo CD titled So Random which became the first release from his label Motel Music Media in January 2010.

Allen McNeil released his sophomore solo album Send for Me in November 2011 . Allen has also stepped into the role of an activist. In 2014, John “Jon Jon” Harreld announced that he was dedicating his time to working on a solo project and later released a single covering Luther Vandross “Never Too Much“, which is also in connection with this new project. Unfortunately, Reggie Warren passed away on March 14, 2021, after an illness that he fought over time, He was 52 at the time.

TROOP Member Reggie Warren

For more information, you watch the interview live on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/835960914280790/

TROOP
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