JK ENTREVISTA CON HOTVIBES

To most music lovers the name Jordan Knight needs no introduction. For those of you who spent the early 90's dazed and confused you may need a little help with your music trivia . I'll give you a hint, five words, starts with New… that's right, New Kids on the Block. Jordan Knight joined fellow band mates Joey McIntyre, brother Jon Knight, Donnie Wahlberg , and Danny Wood to form one of the most memorable boy bands of all time. After their smooth harmonies, and choreographed dance moves fizzled out they disband in 1994 making room for the wave of grunge music to became popular. Despite the breakup Jordan Knight continued to work within the music business and released his debut self titled solo album in 1999. The video for his first single titled, “Give It To You” gained extensive play on MTV which helped the CD reach gold (500,000).

Fast forward to 2005, Jordan is gearing up for the release of his third CD since embarking on a solo career. Judging by the response from fans (through his official website) it's safe to say that his newest effort will follow the success of his debut. Despite everything Jordan has accomplished in his career he is still the same Massachusetts bred crooner you came to love in New Kids on the Block.

Hot Vibes sat down with Jordan in Plymouth , MA to discuss his career (jokes and all). Mr. Knight buckled down and got serious long enough to spill information regarding his connection to Jadakiss , attitude toward the Surreal Life, and touring in old folks homes?

You're currently touring with Aaron Carter – how'd you hook up with him? I'm on the same record label as him (Transcontinental Records) and they asked me if I would like to do some select dates with him and I thought it would be a good idea for both of us. I bring an older audience than he does, and he brings a younger audience and we can both get exposure. I can get exposure from the really young girls and he can get exposure to the older girls.

What has the audience response been like considering most of your fan base is comprised of older women?

It's been great. It's been great for the both of us.

Last year you were on the TV show the Surreal Life, what made you decide to be on the show, and what did you take from that experience?

I didn't want to be on that but everyone else wanted me to be on it. It was like fourteen days in an insane asylum.

Do you keep in touch with anybody?

Not really. I did for a few weeks after the show then it got old.

You just finished shooting a pilot for a WB show – Can you tell us more about the show?

All we were doing was judging singers, it was like American Idol. I guess going from city to city.

Were there any other celebrity judges?

I think I was the only celebrity. The other judges were like, “the employee of the month from McDonald's is here with us as a celebrity judge”.

Can we expect to see you on any other TV shows or acting gigs in the future?

Actually I'm looking into it. I just did a reading for Debbie Allen. She's putting a show together that's going on the road, it's a stage show. I don't know if the timing is going to be good though because I might be on the road promoting my music while that show is on the road. I have some agents that are looking into different roles for me.

What can fans expect to hear on the new CD?

I don't really stray far from what I do best and I think that's Pop/R&B.

Are there any big differences from your debut CD?

Everything sounds current, it sounds 2005 not 2001 or 2000.

Did you collaborate with any artists on the new album?

[Justin James] he's 22 from Minnesota . He's a singer and the guys that play behind him also play with Prince so he's in good company. He's a great singer songwriter. Dougie Fresh and Slick Rick did some stuff with me on one of my songs. Jadakiss is supposed to rap on one of my songs. I wrote a song with Nick Carter for Aaron Carter. Rich Cronin from LFO did a rap on one of my songs. That's probably about it.

Can you tell us more about the ‘Boys of Summer' tour?

It's gonna be hot because it's summertime. It's gonna be me, Rich Cronin, Nick Carter, Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees, and maybe JC. I [have to] call him; we'll see if he goes for it.

When you're performing with younger artists like Aaron Carter do you ever give them advice considering all of your experience in the business?

No, not unless they ask me for it and nobody asks me for it.

What's one thing about the music business that you wish you knew before you started?

Actually I'm glad I didn't know how tough it is, I know that much. What about you [ Chad ]?

Chad : How many snakes there are out there. Just to know that you can't always take everyone for face value.

J: Everyone's pretty much out for themselves.

Chad : And everyone's got ulterior motives, read the fine print.

J: Make sure you know the person very well that you're working with. Stay away from people with egos.

( taken from the book of stupid questions)

What do you think you will be doing at this exact moment twenty years from now?

I'll probably be living in Florida on the beach sipping a Corona chillin '. Staying away from the phone because Chad is gonna try to keep me on tour. (Imitating Chad in twenty years) “We've got old folks homes lined up across the country, they're gonna crowd them in. We're bussing old folks [in]”.

Continue to support Jordan 's career and you just might be luck enough to see him perform in your old folk's home (in twenty years of course). For more information on Jordan 's new album, the Boys of Summer tour, and other up to date news check out his official website at: www.jordanknight.com

(Hot Vibes would like to thank Elizabeth Neff at Trans Con and Chad Zimmerman for all their help.)