Press
Click the links below to go directly to each article
? Just As Beautiful (issue 27) :: Summer 2009
? The Weekly News :: May 23, 2009
? Jessica Clemmons Q & A :: May 19, 2009
? The Baytown Sun :: June 29, 2008
Just As Beautiful :: Summer 2009
Permanent Impact : Jessica Clemmons Exclusive | back to top
The Weekly News :: May 23, 2009
Gastric Band Helped Me Fulfill Singing Dream | back to top
*Jessica Clemmons has just launched her debut album in the UK, four years after failing to make the grade on Simon Cowell?s American Idol. But achieving success in the music business wasn?t the only struggle the bubbly blonde singer from Texas, who divides her time between Houston and London, has had to contend with. This is Jessica?s Story.
A few months ago, I was watching TV, listening to presenter Fern Britton being criticized on a chat show because it had emerged that she?d lost weight after being fitted with a gastric band. The host made her sound like a horrible person, as if she?d been deceitful and cheated in some way. It was all I could do to stop myself calling the show and putting him straight.
I really felt sorry for Fern because I knew exactly what she was going through. Two years ago, I had a similar band fitted to help me lose weight after years of dieting without any success. I?ve had weight issues since I was a little girl. Throughout my teenage years, I tried every fad diet going, but my weight still increased and by the time I was 22, that was also my dress size.
I wouldn?t go anywhere near scales but when I saw a photograph with a group of friends I burst into tears when I saw how huge I was compared to them. I was ashamed of myself for letting things get so bad, and decided enough was enough and that I?d have to do something about it.
It was around the time I tried out for TV?s American Idol . I slept on the street with all the others waiting to audition, gradually making my way through the different elimination stages until I actually got to sing in front of the panel.
I?d been singing all my life, but I didn?t know whether I was good enough to make a career in music. I thought that there was no-one better qualified to tell me than Simon Cowell, but my nerves go the better of me on that day. I sang a Celine Dion song, but I was starstruck in front of Simon and fellow judge, Paula Abdul, and I didn?t do as well as I could.
They didn?t put me through to the next round, but Simon was really nice to me. He said that he could see I had talent and, once I?d conquered my nerves, I had a real chance of making it. I left the room with a big smile on my face. Interestingly, no-one mentioned my weight, despite the fact that I was probably the heaviest I?d ever been in my life
Lot of effort
But I knew that if I was going to fulfill my potential as a singer, having the right image would be a factor. I began to watch what I ate and started going to the gym, but the weight wasn?t coming off.
So, in February 2007, I decided to take the drastic step of having the gastric band fitted. The idea of the band is that you can?t eat as much, so people think it?s some sort of magic cure and the weight will just drop off. It doesn?t work that way, at least not for me. Since the operation, I?ve had to work just as hard on my nutrition and exercise programmes. I go to the gym everyday and exercise for an hour with a personal trainer and then for two hours on my own.
I also have a nutritionist, who makes sure I eat the right things. It?s still a lot of effort ? and that?s why I felt so angry about the treatment dished out to Fern. She would have been working hard, too. Since having the band fitted, my dress size has dropped to a 14. I?m never going to be Britney Spears, but I?ll be very happy if I can get myself into a 12 one day soon.
Before the op, I remember being taken shopping by a stylist and we simply couldn?t find anything to fit me. Now, I can shop anywhere and, when I saw the results of the photo shoot for my album, I couldn?t believe it was me.
While I don?t credit the gastric band entirely for my weight loss, I think it will prove a good tool in keeping the pounds off. I eat five small meals a day and have to limit myself to 2oz of protein per meal. I have to have the band adjusted periodically, too, especially when I fly, because it tends to swell on a plane, making it uncomfortable and impossible to eat at all.
And I?ve been doing lots of flying over the last few years, traveling back and forth between the UK and Houston as I?ve been working on my new album.I hope to do much more if it?s a success.
* As told to John Barrett
Permanent by Jessica Clemmons is out now on Johnny Boy Records
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Jessica Clemmons Q & A :: May 19, 2009
By Ruth Harrison at Female First | back to top
(View the article online)
Jessica Clemmons is an inspiring and exceptional new artist from Houston, Texas and with her debut album ready to take your breath away, we caught up with the starlet to get to know her a little better.
Hello there pretty, how are things going in your lovely world?
Things are going really well thanks for asking! I’m back home in Houston for a short while and dying to get out of this heat… I mean it’s only May and already in the 90′s (Fahrenheit of course). I’m not made for the heat.
To anyone who hasn?t heard of you yet, how would you describe your sound?
You know I get this question a lot and it’s kind of hard to describe because I personally think it’s very different from a lot of artist you hear right now. I would consider it pop/soul. There are some great songs on the record that would go really well on any pop station but it also has a classic feel too it. It’s good stuff if I do say so myself 
.
Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind your foxy new record?
I had a lot of things inspire me over the making of this record. In the beginning I was dating a guy who turned out to be a complete jerk so that gave me some great material and of course the process of realizing he was a jerk… you know it take us women a while to actually admit to ourselves to move on. Aside from that I would have to say life in general and things that were going on around me. I was so lucky to be able to write with my co-writer John Gordon and together we made some great music.
If you were going to give us just one song of yours to listen to so that you would become our new favourite singer, what would it be?
I would have to chose Promise You. Everyone loves a good heartfelt ballad and that’s exactly what this song is. I wrote it when my uncle was dying of cancer… the love he and his wife had was so amazing that I wanted to create a song that I knew would always remind me of the two of them. Anyone who has ever been in love or is currently there will hear the lyrics and completely relate.
If you could cover another musician?s song, what would it be?
I love just about any song from Celine Dion but one of my favorites is “I Know What Love Is” off of her One Heart Album. Either that one or Vision of Love by Mariah Carey.
And can you sum up your good self in just five words?
Wow only 5 words…. ok. Outgoing, Determined, Confident, Ambitious and Moody lol. I’m a woman…. moody is always part of our personalities right?
What makes you stand out from the crowd?
Probably my appearance. I don’t look like other artist out there and I think that’s a good thing. Sometimes it would be nice to see a pop artist that looks like a real person. If you ask me most of them start to look alike after a while. I’m here to add a little variety!
You know we?re having a bit of an economic crisis here at the moment, if people wanted to spend their last ?10 on a cd this weekend, why should they buy yours?
I’ll go back to the fact that it sounds like something that hasn’t already been done. So much of the music today is typical pop and will be out of date in few years. Why not purchase my album that is different and will be something that will be enjoyable for many years to come. Talk about a great investment!
What three bands would you have to headline your dream festival?
You are full of great questions! I would love to perform with someone like Jennifer Hudson, The Script and The Fray. I think all three of those artist have such a diverse sound, much like myself.
What has been your favourite musical memory to date?
I’ve created a lot of really great ones lately but probably every time I went in to do a radio interview and that feeling of, Wow I’m finally doing this. It’s such an amazing feeling… I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me!
Who do you think is the greatest artist around at the moment?
Oh that’s a tough one. Obviously I’m very partial to Celine Dion because she’s someone who has been around for a while and is clearly here to stay. As for current artist I would have to say my fellow Houstonian Beyonce’. I could see her being around for another 20 years or more.
If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Can I say my own? Lol just kidding! By now I think you’d be able to guess the answer to this question… Yep Celine! I’d have to go back to one of her first, the one with the Power of Love on it. It’s full of classic great songs that will never get old.
Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions; On an airplane you are talking pleasantly to a person of average appearance. Unexpectedly, the person offers you $10, 000 (?5, 000) for one night of sex. Knowing there is no danger and that payment is certain, would you accept the offer?
Considering that would make me a hooker I would have to say thanks but no thanks.
Name an experience which features an animal that you will never forget.
I actually have several but the one I could never forget was when I was about 15 years old. I went out to the country with a friend and was going to ride horses. I’ve always loved horses so I had no problem jumping on and going for a little stroll. Well… this horse had a bit more in mind and apparently didn’t want me on him because he took off so fast that I was having trouble holding on. At one point I was on the side of the horse screaming “Where are the breaks on this thing?!?!?!”. Eventually my friends aunt calmed the horse down and I was never so happy to be off that thing. I took me a few years to get back on one.
What one thing did you always want as a child but never get?
A little sister! I am the middle child and my other siblings are brothers. Let’s just put it this way, my poor little brother started to run when he saw me get out my makeup. Apparently little brothers don’t want to be dressed up as girls lol.
Cheers, good luck with everything & thanks for making my day slightly more entertaining!
No thank you, I had a great time!
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The Baytown Sun :: June 29, 2008
A Rising Star, By Tara Sullivan for The Baytown Sun | back to top
The ?pop-soul? sound of Highlands-native Jessica Clemmons, 26, has piqued the interest of many a European music magnate. She?s even garnered the praise of American Idol?s infamous critic, Simon Cowell.
In fact, her Grammy-nominated, London-based producer John Ravenhall said even ?Sir Paul? McCartney knows her name.
Having spent the last two years recording in Chicago and London, and with her first album, ?Permanent,? set for a U.K. release in September, Clemmons said her life-long dream is finally being realized.
Jessica?s friends and family know well that musical stirrings have long moved her soul. ?When I was 4 years old, I told my mom I wanted to record an album,? she said. ?My mom says I?ve been singing since before I could talk.? Locally, she has spent much time honing her talents with Baytown Little Theater and North Main Baptist Church in Liberty, where her late-uncle was a pastor.
Jim Wadzinski, who worked with Jessica at BLT, said he remembers Jessica?s as a diva with a ?Mariah Carey range.?
?The first time I was involved with Jessica was when I choreographed Bye Bye Birdie,? said Wadzinski. ?I believe she was 14 years old.?
According to Wadzinski, Jessica?s talents were undeniable from the get-go.
?Jessica has one of the best voices I?ve ever heard in person,? he said.
Having worked with hordes of singers and actors throughout his BLT years, Wadzinski?s opinion holds its own, but he?s not the only seasoned ear taking notice.
Gary Clemmons said he remembers well a phone conversation between Jessica and London-based producer John Ravenhall.
?She was pretty struck when John Ravenhall told her ?Sir Paul? was on the other line,? said Jessica?s father and manager Gary Clemmons. ?She said the only ?Sir Paul? she knew of was Paul McCartney and that?s who it was.?
Jessica said it was amazing to hear that McCartney, the former Beatle, knows about her forthcoming album.
?I guess I?m a little star-struck still,? she said.
Before teaming up with Ravenhall, Jessica said she?d tune in to Houston?s Christian radio station, KSBJ FM 89.3 hoping for audition announcements.
?They?d always have auditions for singers and I?d always try out,? she said.
Jessica even tried out for American Idol (season three) where she advanced all the way to the front of that star-studded panel of judges; U.K. industry mogul Simon Cowell, producer Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.
But when her nerves got the best of her, even Simon Cowell gave her praise.
?He told me I have what it takes I just need to get my nerves under control,? she said.
Unfazed, Jessica said American Idol simply wasn?t the road she was supposed to travel.
Just six months after that audition, her local voice coach helped her to record a demo tape of Celine Dion and Kelly Clarkston tracks, which she sent off to Ravenhall.
Following that demo, Ravenhall began scouting for songs for Jessica to record.
?He listened to probably 5,000 songs and came up with six,? she said. ?But you can?t make an album with six songs.?
To complete the recording, Ravenhall matched Jessica up with Denmark-based songwriter John Gordon.
With Gordon?s help and Ravenhall?s encouragement, Jessica co-wrote the remainder of the album.
?I didn?t think I could write,? she said. ?I?m doing things that I never though I could do.?
Now, with her album complete, Jessica is just waiting to see what happens next.
She hopes to be invited on tour with a major artist, her dream invitation coming from Celine Dion.
Because she is an independent artist, Jessica is not signed with a label, though prospectives from as far away as Japan have been on the edge of their seats, awaiting the release of ?Permanent.? Though there is no scheduled U.S. release date, the album can be purchased through the internet-based music exchange program I-Tunes and on Amazon.com.
?The great thing about my music is there?s such a wide range of people who can enjoy it,? said Jessica. ?I want people to love it as much as I do. It?s definitely a labor of love.?
In mid-July, her official Website, www.jessicaclemmons.com is scheduled to be up and running.
To get more information or to listen to samples of Jessica?s music, which is not bubblegum pop, but mature ?pop-soul,? visit her on the Web at www.myspace.com/jessicaclemmonsmusic.
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