The artiste who brought you the hit ‘Hey!' with Jovi Rockwell, Courtney John (formerly ‘Yogi') is up to big things. In an interview with DAFLEX, he tells a little about himself and his plans for his first Courtney John album, ‘Courtney John: Unselfish'.
• Name: Courtney John Morrison
• Stage Name: “I used to be Yogi, but now its Courtney John. It's just an evolution from Yogi. I'm improving on the product a little and re-inventing myself. I got a little bored with Yogi and I think it's a more refined and stronger name. A name the ladies can take into the bedroom”, laughed Courtney John.
• D.O.B.: December 8.
• Status: “I'm not married. I have one son. He's the boss. I work for him. I'm stable. I'm in a good place.”
• Family Life and Growing Up: “I grew up with my grandparents in Annotto Bay, St. Mary. I went to almost every school in St. Mary because I was a bad boy and when I gave trouble they always moved me around. I was the typical country boy. I went to the river with friends, shot birds, chopped jelly and cane, climbed trees… you name it.
I had to wake up early for school and I had to carry water on my head too. At one point while living in St. Mary, I had to walk half a mile to bathe. It was pretty interesting because you got to explore and see the female anatomy in all its glory! Country was fun and remembering where you came from keeps you rooted and humble.”
• Did music choose you or did you choose music?: “It's a little bit of both. I grew up in a family that music was a big part of. My uncles, for example Beres Hammond were my musical influences while growing up. I realized that I could make a living out of doing something I enjoyed so I decided to pursue music as a career.”
• What do you enjoy doing apart from music? “I'm a movie junkie! I'll go to the movies twice a day. It's the beach when I'm not working. I also try to keep abreast of what's fresh in terms of music, you know, to stay on top of my game. I listen to classic R&B and reggae like some Bob Andy, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, and John Holt.”
• What label are you signed to? “I have my own label which is ‘FiWi Music', distributed by Jamaica Records. I am with Chris Smith Management.”
• Currently: “We're in the process of organizing a tour which began at Red Bones on October 19. However, it's been hampered because of the rain. We have a show coming up with T-Pain, Tarrus Riley and Beenie Man at Sugar Man's Beach this December. I will be in Jamaica for the rest of the year. Next year I'll be doing some promotional shows overseas in support for my album ‘Courtney John: Unselfish'.”
www.courtneyjohn.com
www.myspace.com/courtneyyogiejohnmusic
