Interviews

Published on January 6th, 2023 | by MuzikScribe

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Crutchfield Jones: From The Heart

 


Let’s hop right into this latest single, “CLOUDY“ — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

RICKY: A producer friend of mine, Ervin Pope, EP, had the idea of the track. The song flowed out from there.

SHIREEN: Disagreements happen…feels like a cloudy day.

Of course “CLOUDY“ comes courtesy of your new EP, The Crutchfield Jones Project — What all can you all reveal and / or divulge about said body of work?

SHIREEN: It’s a smooth mix of soul. It comes from our hearts. It comes from our relationship.

As songwriters, when you all sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?

RICKY: People…it’s all real for me.

SHIREEN: Us…

Reflecting, tell me y’all’s whole inception into music — When did you all first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for the two of you?

RICKY: A baby, a little boy…it hit my heart. That was my therapy.

SHIREEN: I’ve always loved music. It moves me. He was always singing; his whole family sings. I got into it when I started dancing on the TV show Soul Train in high school. Music and the artists were right there in my reach.

Now y’all are natives of Massachusetts (Crutchfield) and Florida (Jones) respectively, correct? So growing up, who all did / do you all consider to be your strongest musical influences?

RICKY: Donny Hathaway.

SHIREEN: I don’t know who is my strongest musical influence. I liked everyone on the radio growing up; from Prince to Mariah Carey.

At what particular point in time did you all opt to form this singing duo? Matter of fact, how did y’all even come together (as a couple) in the first place?

SHIREEN: We both had record deals on Motown at the same time and had the same manager, Jonathan Clark. That’s where we met. We met up way later to write songs, and our former manager had the idea for us to record as a duo.

In having said that, how do you all classify your overall sound and / or style?

SHIREEN: I call it chic soul…

RICKY: Smooth soul…

Now aside from music, what all had / have you all been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, prior to The Crutchfield Jones Project?

RICKY: Working on other businesses. Working on other artists.

SHIREEN: Modeling, TV & film projects….taking care of our children, and we got married!

Shireen you’re probably most famously known as 1/3 – alongside both Joyce Tolbert and DeMonica Santiago -of late eighties / early nineties Motown trio,The Good Girls, but after two studio albums the group disbanded — How come?

SHIREEN: The Good Girls was a group; 3 ladies, manager Jonathan Clark and Motown. It was all of us. That was our team. When the glue, those pieces, shifted and changed, it was hard to stick together. Different visions cause divisions.

Just a coupla years back there had been talks of a reunion project — Is that still on the table? And if so, when can we, the masses, expect new material(s)?

SHIREEN: It’s not on the table right now, but I never say never! God has a way of making things align when it’s time.

Switching gears here…

What do you all feel will has been and will continue to be the ultimate key to your longevity?

RICKY: Staying true to and trusting in ourselves.

What do you all want people to get from your music?

SHIREEN: I hope it ministers to them hope and joy; that tough times don’t last always. The sun comes out, and there are beautiful things in life to enjoy.

On a more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of R&B?

RICKY: I love the indie world.

SHIREEN: Indie R&B is strong. We need more of that in the mainstream.

Do you all have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

RICKY: Yup!

SHIREEN: Ditto! TV and film, in front of and behind the camera, I’d say.

I know you Shireen have also been getting more and more involved in the acting world — What do you have in the works for 2023 and beyond?

SHIREEN: A few things…a TV show called FIRE. That’s in post production, and I’m starting a film the first week of January…

[Ed. note: interview was conducted late December 2022]

To date, what has been y’all’s greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

SHIREEN: I think we’ve both had so many highlights…looking forward to what’s to come!

What’s an average day like for you all?

RICKY: Get up, take the kids to school and get to work!

Please discuss how you all interact with and respond to fans…

SHIREEN: Shower them with love. We’re “people people.”

What is y’all’s favorite part about this line of work? Y’all’s least favorite? And, why?

RICKY: When it all comes together, the song is complete. The birth of a song.

SHIREEN: Waiting is my least favorite part! Waiting for the sog to be done, the project to be released, and getting on stage. I’m excited! Lol.

What advice would you all have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

RICKY: Make sure you love it and be true to yourself. Not everyone will know your vision or dream. God gave it to you.

Lastly, what’s next for Crutchfield Jones?

SHIREEN: Shows, shows, and more shows!

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

SHIREEN: I think you covered it all! Stay connected and stay tuned, and we’ll see you soon!

 

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