Exclusive Interview with JC Lodge  conducted on the 15-01-2004.

Paulo Matos : JC Lodge welcome to Solar Reggae and also to reggaeportugal.com, is a pleasure indeed.

JC Lodge : Yes it's a pleasure too, we should have it done longtime ago but when you called me before i was on top of th world, i was under the weather, but now i'm fine.

Paulo Matos : Good to know.

Paulo Matos : JC let's start with this simple question, let's talk a little about the past, tell us how everything started for you in what music is all about ?

JC Lodge : I got into music, by chance really and it was just because my boyfriend at the time heard me sing around the house, and he was interested in writting songs, this is a long way back, but i'm not saying how long (laughes), but he was writting songs, but he couldn't sing, so he asked me to put his songs on a cassete for we could take them to, we were living in Jamaica on that time, so we could take them to people, in the music business in Jamaica, and we hooped that someone record one of his songs, we endeed up at Joe Gibbs studio, they listen to the tape and like the songs and they ask who is the singer, and that was me and they said they want to do something with me, and the first record i did with them was "Someone Loves You Honey" wich in Jamaica the version that was popular was by Charlie Pride at that time and i did a reggae version of it, and i really surprise with the sucess of that version, the reggae version, because come out in September of that year, and on Christmas was #1 on all the charts and then it started sailing overseas in America, England, Europe, i had my first tour in the Netherlands in 1981 or 1982 and became record of the year, in Netherlands, so i was often a good start.

"Someone Loves You Honey" song played on Solar Reggae Show.

Paulo Matos : Wich have been the positive consequences of your international recognition ?

JC Lodge : Well with international recognition i mean any artist we feel that we are here for the purpose of a people enjoyment and i guess in a way of certain personall fullfilments, the feeling that you're using a talent that is a God's giving, so wether is your appreciation, in your home, or in your country or overseas, i think it's all apreciated, but it is nice to know that the people who not speak your language can apreciate teh efforts that you're making and just gives you more encouragement to continue and try to please people.

Paulo Matos : True. JC In 1988, you have reached another big Hit, this time for Gussie Clarke, "Telephone Love" on the Rumours riddim, have been specially big in America, true ?

JC Lodge : Yes, Yes, that song was actually written for me on that riddim by Mikey Bennet and Hopeton Lindo who were writters for Gussie Clarke on that time, now they're writters and producers for themselves, but i remember that when they have wrote that song they ahd written it in parts, and it sounded strange at the time, it took me a while to get use to and i've worked a little bit to at home with Errol, and did very well, in America have seemed to appeal to the youth, mostly black, but some white too, and it was popular on the clubs in the urban areas, so we did a lot of touring here trough all the clubs.

Paulo Matos : And tell us where you expecting the huge sucess of the song ?

JC Lodge : No, not really because at home in Jamaica, "Rumours" by Gregory Isaacs was seen like the top one on the riddim.

Paulo Matos : Number one.

JC Lodge : Well yes, mine was number two and then many others were very popular too, i was just glad to be amongst, cause it is a very good riddim.

Paulo Matos : Very good i can tell you that as well.

"Telephone Love" song played on Solar Reggae Show.

Paulo Matos : What happend through the 90's,  JC ?

JC Lodge : Well, with the popularity of Telephone Love take us to America, Tommy Boy heard of me and eventually we approach them they were interested in doing an album and they were, but they were mainly known as rap label, so it was a strange marriage way, but we felt that could make me step further so we did a deal with them. We worked on an album and i was able tomy own songwritting, more of my songwritting fo rthis album, for wich i was pleased and the only mine with the album, that endeed up, was the variety genres of music because i was writting songs and this it was my opportunity to explore a different avenues, so i think that the album have a particular concept wich might worked against specially in America, where people marketing they like to know that you're doing this kind of music, or you're doing this kind of music but it can be a mix you know.

Paulo Matos : It's much different America from England, isn't it ?

JC Lodge :  Yes it's very different. So in America they decide to release the first song from the album, a kind of R&B Jazzy thing, and they did a good video for it it went to number 45 on the R&B Billboard chart, the person who was dealing on the A&R on that time, left the company went someone else and he was the one who's really behind me, so qe suffered because of that.

Paulo Matos : JC since 2001 that you have relocated in UK, working mostly with the label Jet Star, true ?

JC Lodge : Yes, we've been wrking with Jet Star, i'm not sign to them but we did that first album "Reggae Country" last year and we're looking to do another album this year and i wasn't really thinking doing a western country reggae album, it wasn't my plan, but it was a concept that they've come up with and i think in the end have been pretty well for what it is, we get some good response, but again think that marketing is a problem, perhaps because i'm not sign to them, they'll not going to advert so much, it's business, i understand. So when you do a product and the company isn't behind you can't expect to reach wider markets.

Paulo Matos : Much different.

JC Lodge : Yes.

Paulo Matos : JC you have a brand new single called "Little Love", included on the compilation Reggae Hits Vol. 32 on Jet Star as well, on the last months that i've been giving airplay to the sons, there's very good reactions from the listeners here of the radio show...

JC Lodge : Oh, i'm very happy to hear that...

Paulo Matos : ...Yes, but how is doing there in UK ?

JC Lodge : Well when it came out i think it was a little to bit close to Christmas, and i think it was to many products out there on that time, so we haven't heard much reaction here, no what i was expecting, you know.

"A Little Love" song played on Solar Reggae Show.

Paulo Matos : Tell us about your projects for a near future ?

JC Lodge : Well like i've said, we hope Jet Star to make another album this year, and there are some other people that i'm working with as well, but i won't disclose too much about that cause i don't want to, you know i want to wait untill something happens and then i can speak, i don't want to speak too soon.

Paulo Matos : Just projects.

JC Lodge : Yes.

Paulo Matos : JC Lodge, have been a pleasure we had this chance to talk a little about your career and the contribution you have been giving to Reggae music on the last almost 20 years.....

JC Lodge : Uh, Uh, don't say that (laughes)...

Paulo Matos : ... I wish all the best to you and your family, One Love - Paulo Matos say so.

JC Lodge : Well thank you very much Paulo, thank you for your support and your encouragement when you tell me that the response there is very good, it really pleases me and One Love to you too and all of your listeners.

"Selfish Lover" song played on Solar Reggae Show.

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