Present yourself to the readers
Hello, I’m Judy Cheeks. Just an ordinary girl who has been blessed to spread love through songs and stories. I’ve lived in Europe most of my life but I was born in Miami Florida and spent my childhood surrounded by Gospel legends who set the mold and influenced most of modern music today . My father was Rev. Julius Cheeks, known in the Gospel field as one of the most powerful singers of quartet Gospel music. Wilson Picket, James Brown, Sam Cooke and many others were greatly influenced by him. I was taught by my dad and his colleagues that singing was all about telling a story and reaching people from your heart . So I’m not a fancy singer ... I don’t do vocal acrobats ... I tell the stories through my soul.
What’s the story for DANGER ZONE ?
The story of Danger Zone really says that, although we fear the unknown love presents, there is really nothing to fear.
Your texts and your compositions ?..What are they talking about ?..How does inspiration come ?
My writing is about life .. pure and simple. The journey of life is all about learning. Each step we take leads us to another adventure. We feel disappointed when we want to stay in one spot and have everything our own way, but life teaches us we must move on in order to learn what we’re meant to from each situation. Each song on Danger Zone deals with a different part of my journey and I think the road most of us travel. We hunger for love and when we get it we are surprised to learn the impact it has on our souls. It is totally unselfish... it gives freely of itself and expects nothing in return... but we all want to stay on the road of receiving .. and that’s when we get hurt. But if we allow it to, Love will give us life.
Are you day or night ?
I am an early morning person. I love waking up with nature. I love hearing the birds welcoming every new morning. We can learn a lot from how nature responds to the call of God every morning... We take a lot for granted but true beauty is found in the simplicity of peace.
What’s your top 5 albums of all time ?
“Amazing Grace” by Aretha Franklin is top of my list. Actually anything she has ever recorded would just top everything for me. I think she is the greatest singer and interpreter of song who has ever lived. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye is also one of my favorites but then again I love all of Marvin’s work as well. “Songs In The Key Of Life” by Stevie Wonder is another one of my all time favorites. And I grew up watching the Staple Singers sing and perform so anything they have ever recorded is also top of my list but one of their really old albums “Uncloudy Day” is for me a classic... but their later recordings like “I’ll Take You There” “Hammer and Nail” are also favorites. Mavis Staples is one of my favorite singers and a person I love and respect dearly. And I also LOVE Bob Dylan! I love taking his songs and rearranging them and making them my own stories. He is an incredible writer... an absolute Jewel... “His Just Like A Woman” is a classic!
In the shower or in the bath, do you sing ? If yes, your songs or those of others ?
I sing in the shower... mostly Gospel songs like “Precious Lord” or “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”
What's your best live memory ? And why ?
My best live memory would be of the long walks and talks I had with my father. I would love to relive just one of those days again.
In studio, what was the atmosphere for the album DANGER ZONE ?...etc.…
When I recorded “Danger Zone” as I do with all recordings, I totally lost myself in the story of each song. I am very quick in the studio and most songs are done in one take. I am all about work. I don’t joke around in the studio.. it’s pretty intense sometimes and my energy is so high most people can’t keep up with me. But I love allowing everyone to bring their gifts to the projects without limitations but with respect for everyone involved. I am a perfectionist so I like my headphone mix to be perfect... if not I can’t get into the atmosphere of the song ... nowadays much attention is given to the technical side of things but I’m old school and believe you must feel everything you do.. I don’t like auto tune and all the technical things available.. although I respect the genius of their invention.. I feel singer’s should tell their stories without every note or breath being altered or “perfected”
How does it work for the design of the CD ? and why this title ?
The design of the cover was done by Shaun O’Shea, my manager and Daniel Diezi . I gave my opinion on the choice of pictures but you know you never see yourself the way others do, so I let them decide the cover and the art work...
How was the shooting of the clip DANGER ZONE ? and why this choice ?
The Danger Zone video and all the videos for this album were done by my manager Shaun O’Shea. Because he is a very close friend who started out as a fan, he knows and understand the meaning of all of my lyrics. He brings each story to life with visuals. I am amazed at how he hits it on the head each time ! He truly is gifted!
With Management and booking, how do you work ? And with whom ?
We are considering touring. It all depends on how well Danger Zone is received . So far it’s looking very much likely.
Would you like to work with an artist ? If so who ?
I think I have won the lottery with the amazing artist I have worked with...Stevie Wonder and Tina Turner, just to name a few... I would be happy to work with anyone God chooses to put in my path at this point.
What would you have chosen as a job outside of music ?
I probably would have worked with children had I not been a singer. I enjoy teaching them and watching their eyes light up with excitement as they discover new things
What are your projects ?
I am currently working on the next album. I recorded one song a week ago.
What's your motto ?
My motto? I guess that would be “Love and let live”
Website to remember
JudyCheeksMusic.com is my website... it’s new and we’re still working on it but I want it to be an open channel for people to chat with me about everything. I know many don’t like social media...but I am very open and respond to everything I can.
What would you like to say to the readers ?
I would like the readers to know that ... this thing called life is an interesting journey.. see it as your personal journey while respecting others on theirs and know that LOVE is the final destination... it’s what we’re made from and it’s what we return to.
What question, I did not ask you and would you like me to ask you :-) ?
I don’t think you left out a question, Hugues... I think you hit all the nails on the heads. Thank you for this opportunity to share my heart with you and your readers... I am humbled and honored for the privilege ... I hope you all download your copy of Danger Zone and I hope to see you at a concert soon... God bless you ❤️
Thanks for the upkeep
Hugues B.
