Johnny 'Guitar' Watson
By Darlene
Donloe
Johnny Guitar
Watson is one of those legendary and influential artists whose music is so
universally respected that it spans generations.
Although he died
in 1996 at the age of 61, while performing in Japan, whether it's blues, R&B or funk, his music
continues to influence artists. The popularity of Watson’s sound hasn’t
waned.
Fans continue to
rock, swing and sway to hits like
A Real Mother For Ya, Superman Lover,
Ain’t That A Bitch, Telephone Bill
and more.
To honor his
legacy, literally 20 years to the date of his death in 1996, the 1st
Annual Johnny Guitar Watson Celebration, a tribute spearheaded by his daughter,
Virginia, through the JGW Heart for Music Foundation, is set to take place at 8
p.m., Tues., May 17, at the Los Angeles Theater Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los
Angeles.
Proceeds from
the celebration will benefit after-school programs.
The foundation’s
mission is as follows:
The mission of
the Johnny Guitar Watson Heart for Music Foundation (501c3) is to raise money
to acquire musical instruments to put into the hands of our inner city youth,
who show promise and focus in real music and then pair them with industry
professionals who will mentor them to their musical destination. Our goal is to
raise $50,000 to help facilitate music studies through after school programs
like ARC, LAUSD and Non-Profit after school programs such as YoYo’s School Of
Hip Hop.
Celebrity guests
and performers set to attend the celebration include Glynn Turman, Michael
Colyar, Meshell Ndegeocello, KiKi Shephard, Dawnn Lewis, Kim Yarbrough, YoYo,
Kym Whitley, Marla Gibbs, Barbara Morrison, Penny Wilson, Lela Rochon Fuqua,
Lenny Williams, Joe Torry, Doyle Bramhall II, Lamont Dozier Jr., Tammi Mac,
Farrah Abraham, Parnell Damone Marcano, Ro Brooks, Lady of Rage, Crystal
Wilson, Martin Kimbers and more.
Virginia Watson
I recently
caught up with Virginia Watson, an actress, writer and producer, to talk about
her father and the upcoming tribute.
DD: When did you first decide to do a tribute to
your father and what did it look like in your imagination?
VW: I first
decided to do a tribute for my father when I had a conversation with my
girlfriend Dr. Michelle Turner, director of the Black Alumni Association (BAA) at
USC. The BAA had started to partner with the Drama and Jazz Departments to
participate in a campus multi-cultural entertainment series called, “Vision and
Voices.” We were planning on doing something to celebrate the life and music of
my father, but he lost out to the 40th Anniversary Celebration of
the BAA. But once the fire was lit and I knew that it was the 20th anniversary
of his passing, I had to do something! And a concert wasn’t enough. I decided
to launch a foundation in his honor too and thus the Johnny Guitar Watson Heart
For Music Foundation was conceived!
DD: Why did you
decide to start the foundation and why did you decide the proceeds would
benefit LAUSD by donating instruments?
VW: I live near
Los Angeles High School and I started volunteering and started a cheerleading
program for them. They hadn’t had cheerleaders in almost four years before I
arrived. And just like me, LA High got a new band director and we struck up a
great friendship. The director before him wasn’t a very nice person and when
she left the school to direct at a different high school, she took instruments
that the kids so desperately needed and then it occurred to me that in the name
of my father, I could try and help get these instruments back into their hands
and that became my mission.
DD: Tell us what
we can expect when we come to the show.
VW: This night
is going to be so special. It’s a journey into the life on one of the most
underrated true icons of multiple generations. We take you on a journey of five
decades of music and his life with a wonderful supporting loving cast and crew.
Mr. David Ritz
wrote the show along with the support of director writer, Iona Morris. The show
is hosted by none other than Glynn Turman, KiKi Shepard and Tammi Mac from
KJLH. Musical guests include Lenny Williams, Meshell Ndegeocello, Yo-Yo,
Barbara Morrison and many, more great voices, along with Joe Torry, Michael
Colyar, Kym Whitley, Dawnn Lewis and Lela Rochon Fuqua, just to name a few.
DD: Talk about what it was like putting this
tribute together.
VW: Having so
much love in my heart for my father drove me to give a gala of this size. And
let me just say….you gotta have balls for this kind of trek. The days and
nights are running into each other at this point, but Iona (Morris) and I just
won’t rest until it’s over. And until it’s over, we’re giving it our all. My
father deserves this night of celebration and joy. I just hope he’s proud of
me.
Johnny 'Guitar' Watson
DD: Why is it
important to you to give back?
VW: Giving back
is a must…your life can’t possibly be fulfilled without that act. It builds
character and what you get in return is priceless!
DD: What is the overall mission of the
foundation?
VW: The overall
mission of the foundation is to raise money to get musical instruments and put
them into the hands of our inner city youth and pair them with music industry
professionals who will mentor them through their musical discovery.
DD: Your hope
for the foundation?
VW: My hope for
this foundation is that it fosters youth who really want to be involved with
real music and allow them to experience the support of true music
professionals. I would love to start a young folks music summit like the old Black
Radio Exclusive (BRE) conferences put on back in the 80’s & 90’s by uncle
Sidney Miller. I think that it would be marvelous for young people to gather
and network in the name of music. And the best part is that my father’s name
will be attached, so you know it’s got to be funky!
DD: What was the
criteria for a celeb’s participation?
VW: Getting my
celeb pals to join me in this celebration was no easy feat. I got a lot of NOs!
But the ones that stepped up and joined in for the cause, I will forever be in
their debt.
DD: Talk about the celebs you are participating in
the tribute.
VW: I feel
blessed to be able to pick up my cell and call people like Dawnn Lewis, Kym
Whitley, Joe Torry, Michael Colyar, Lela Rochon Fuqua, Angela Gibbs, Doyle
Bramhall II, Martin Kember and his handsome young son Ash… Not to mention my dad’s
buddies like Charles Wright and Stanley Clarke. With support like that, you
probably don’t even care who said, no!
Virginia Watson
DD: What are some of the artifacts that will be
on exhibit?
VW: This night
is laced with all kinds of fun surprises. We are doing an exhibit of my
aather’s artifacts. When you arrive to the theatre, you will be greeted by my aather’s
old 1977 Zimmer blastin’ out all his jams. And at the reception, we’ll be
displaying some of his costumes and recording equipment, guitars and awards. I
feel so blessed to be able to share these precious items that I ended up with
after he passed.
DD: Describe
your father.
VW: My dad was
one of the most creative people I have ever met in my life. He was a jokester,
a healer, a deep thinker, an incredibly gifted musician, but most of all he was
my daddy!
DD: Do you have
a favorite song by your father? If so,
why is it your favorite?
VW: Gosh, I have
so many songs that I love and I know the words to every song…But What The Hell Is This is for sure one of
my all time favorites and I bet there are some fans out there who aren’t even
aware of that song. But I just remember how much fun we had in the studio that
day when he recorded that song. The whole family was there and the energy was
off the chain! I mean it was on Fleek
status! (lol)
DD: What happens
when you hear your father’s music?
VW: When my dad
had first passed, every time I would hear him on the radio or at a club or
party…I would break out crying and start feeling sorry for myself that I didn’t
have my best friend to share the rest of my journey with. But 20 years later, oh
I get my groove on!!! And I’m as proud as I can be to have been born to John
Jacob Watson Jr.
Johnny 'Guitar' Watson Celebration, 8 p.m., Tues., May 17, Los Angeles Theater Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles. For information: www.jgwheartformusic.com
