Jessie Tylre Williams
Interview conducted on March 04, 2021
By Dan Locke
Jessie Tylre Williams will enlighten you as she exposes the underlying truths of the heart and the strength of the human spirit through music.
What is your upbringing?
I lived somewhat a gypsy lifestyle my entire life. We grew up moving around a lot so I never really had any solid roots. But my father mainly brought me up and I was definitely a Daddy’s girl, working on cars with my dad, building stuff and doing whatever I could to help my Dad until I left home at 14
How did you discover music?
I’m not sure I discovered music; I think it was always in me. I think music chose me. From as far back as I can remember melodies always played in my head and I always wrote lyrics from a very young age.
How did you start to write music?
I think it probably started by me writing poems. I could never afford an instrument so I had to create my own sounds in my mind. I would write the lyrics and I knew what I wanted the song to sound like but because I never had any training, I never knew how to compose music or create the sound(s) I wanted.
Describe your music.
This is a tough question for me because I don’t really fall into any category from what I’ve been told. So, I would have to say eclectic…. with a fusion of country, blues and pop….…if that makes any sense LOL – the more authentic I am with myself the more the music speaks for itself.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My first guitar I bought when I scraped enough money together that I had scrimped and saved. Very typical musician story, I think. It was a regular 6 string acoustic electric Yamaha.
What is your guitar of choice now?
Ibanez N427 electric acoustic guitar. The model I have I cannot find another model like this with the mahogany inlay but it’s a beauty. I’m not sure what the year is but probably around 2005
What was your first performance at like?
A complete disaster hahahahha I was so nervous I couldn’t get the words to come out of my mouth so I stood on stage with my hair hanging in my face, my guitar player trying to get me to sing, and me barely making a sound. I was crying I was so freaked out; it was crazy…. I can’t believe we didn’t get fired from that gig.
What makes a good songwriter?
Someone open to writing with others, an authenticity to their lyrics and someone who can help others to feel like the story is about them.
What is the process of writing your music?
I don’t have a process…. sometimes I’m in my car, sometimes on my ATV, sometimes I’m lying on the beach…. other times I’m crying because I am sad because I miss someone I have lost and sometimes I write because I have fallen in love and sometimes, I write because I fell out of love. I usually get a groove in my head or a beat and then other times all these lyrics fill my head and I start to write.
There seems to be a running theme in your music Hearts and Love, which is part of your branding. Is this true?
Yes…like so many of us, I to have had so much heartache, pain and taken the road less traveled more times than I would like to admit…. that’s why it’s so important for me to spread love, be kind and maybe be the reason someone is smiling today or choosing to live another day. I try every day to be the change I want to see in the world and I hope that message is delivered in the sound and feel of my music. I want people to know that I do genuinely care.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes, I belong to SESAC, SOCAN, ASCAP
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The first song I ever wrote I was 9 years old and it was called Don’t Step on My Heart, and yes, I did record it, and it actually charted in the top 40 and in the top 200. I didn’t actually release that song until 1998.
Your song “Breathe” made the Top 10 on iTunes Country Charts, UK. Tell me about the moments you found that out. And how you felt?
It felt absolutely amazing and my heart was filled with sheer gratitude that the people are supporting my music so much. Like all this hard work and years of literally blood sweat and tears is finally starting to pay off. It is definitely a good jump start to where I want to b, but I am right where I am supposed to be right here right now.
The last single you released was “Love is all there is”. Tell me about it?
This was the first time I actually released a song that I didn’t write but it was exactly what I needed. The song was pitched to me and I said perfect this is exactly how I feel with the message I want to deliver so I guess it’s meant to be.
What is your favorite track on your album?
The last album I released, “This Road” is actually like a few chapters out of my life so they are all pretty special to me, but the one that probably resonates with me the most is the title track “This Road” and “Please Don’t Let Me Down”. They were both in very pivotal moments in my life where I didn’t know if I was going to live anymore or if I even wanted to.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
I am pretty healthy these days and I do that by maintaining a healthy diet (even though I like my junk food and still eat it), but I try to do regular yoga, my daily meditation practices and my 6-year-old keeps me pretty active.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I probably have some mixed feelings, but all in all I think it’s great to have all these options at our fingertips. There is nothing like cool album covers and holding that in your hands but there’s nothing like having a release go out and have it seconds later either, so I guess they both have their pros and cons.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, [ or (in North American usage) pound sign. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I think people are forgetting about a lot of things hahahahha….in core that is, but I guess it’s all part of change and adaptation. Like many of us some change is harder than others but all in all I think most musicians will never forget that it’s a huge part of music.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Again, both of these have their pros and cons but I like digital because I used to have over 2000 vinyl records which at the time, I didn’t know the value they would have and gave them all away. I’m talking serious vintage vinyl and everything in between. For me, digital only because its less to carry around for a gypsy. Lol
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I actually don’t have a song in my mind right now surprisingly….
How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)
I think people need to do what makes them feel the safest and most comfortable to a point where they can get back to living their life. Not all people are going to feel the same way about this and they are not supposed that’s what our soldiers fought for was our freedom to make the choices we want as individuals.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music?
I think COVID-19 has forced us to find alternative means to getting our music out, and again with change comes resistance, discomfort, different ways of doing things which means having to learn…..so you can look at it as a bad thing or you can look at it as a way to just do things differently. Music will never die in my opinion, and again its only my opinion…music is a universal language and without it, it would be pretty hard to live life, we just have to find a way to bring it to the people in any way we can. Of course, there is nothing like LIVE music, and I don’t think that will ever die….we’re just taking a break so we can learn new ways.
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
It already has and will continue to do so. You can look at this whole thing as an opportunity or as a deterrent. You decide if you sit and fight it or if you create a platform for yourself or your audience to get the music out.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I am living my life, for the most part, the way I always did. I work when I can and I write my music when the creative juices start flowing.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
No, I am pretty busy and I have always been pretty good at entertaining myself. Unlike a lot of people out there, which my heart really goes out to them, I have a 6-year-old who keeps my days pretty full. I have however been working on learning new stuff with music and ways to deliver my music to my listeners.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I don’t watch TV at all or series. I don’t watch the news EVER!!! I watch Disney movies with my daughter on Friday nights (if I’m not playing) or we find a good movie to watch on Netflix.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
Like everything, if these platforms see a way to monopolize on something they will and they are doing it. We as artists just have to find a way to engage our audience enough to make them want to pay for the service.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Again, we have to get create, keep our fans engaged and make them want to still be a part of our audience and fan base.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I’ve had to pay to play for years hahahahah like anything if you really want to make money you have to invest.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Ya star trek or what right???? This used to only be things we could see on the tele. Ahhahahahha now we’re living it
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
I sure hope so.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artists? The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources. Have you applied for it yet?
No, I haven’t I’ll apply LOL
In the past if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I was always told if you can’t support yourself being a musician always have a job while you’re doing what you love and until you get to where you can fully support yourself. It’s very difficult to manage sometimes and it can be very frustrating but it can be done. We are all living proof of that. A lot of people think the music biz owes them something but it doesn’t…. you owe it to yourself to hustle and do what you need to do to survive. I am currently working 3 or 4 jobs all the time; one is building condos in Mexico and the other job is working with people around the world to help them through their hardships by holding retreats. I am also a full-time musician and recording artist, and a full time Mom.
What is your happy place?
Helping others
Alot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
I guess when I have that conversation, I will take a look at it. I never say never because you just never know. I will always be a writer so I can always write more songs.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think that could mean to independent artists?
I’m not sure. I hope it does not affect us to badly and that we are still able to do what we do…. if not then I will have to build a platform that will allow that to happen. LOL
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I just recently started my first tiktok hahahahha
– I’m not sure how much I will use it but all my music is already on tiktok.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Yes, I want to thank people like you who continue to support independent artists like myself and give us the platform that we need to be heard. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be put out to the public on a such a scale. For all the secondary market stations, and most of all the FANS…. they are the backbone of our music sales and our ability to keep putting music out. I feel so grateful to have this interview with you and for everything that comes to me each and every day. Thank you so much!
