Jackson 3? - No, Call Them 3T!

Roanoke Times - May 24 1996 - Mark Morrison

Taj and Taryll Jackson clearly remember the turning point when they realized just who their father was - and what they wanted to be when they grew up. It was a revelation that came during a concert at The Forum in Los Angeles in 1981. Taj was 7 years old at the time. Taryll was just 5.

``There was a lot of screaming fans, a lot of excitement and great music,'' recalled Taj, now 22.

Like a lot of concerts. Only it was their father, Tito, and their uncles, Michael, Marlon, Jackie and Randy - collectively known then as The Jacksons - causing the commotion. Until that moment, Taj explained, they had not realized the magnitude of their family's fame and popularity. At home, joined in turn by their little brother, T.J., they started mimicking The Jacksons and older Jackson Five songs. They learned to play musical instruments that Uncle Michael had bought for them. And they developed an appreciation for other artists as well, including Earth, Wind and Fire, the Doobie Brothers, Kool and the Gang and Phil Collins.

Today, the three brothers call themselves 3T. With one album under their belt they are on a promotional tour that will bring them to Roanoke on Monday. They will be the headline act with Mona Lisa, Chantay Savage, Intrigue, Quad City DJs and the 69 Boys at the ``WJJS Star Party in the Park II'' beginning at 5 p.m. on the main stage at Festival in the Park. They also will appear Monday at a local high school. At press time, it was not known which school won the WJJS write-in contest to bring in 3T as guests.

``It makes it twice as hard and twice as easy.''

Certainly, it has helped open doors for them. Their father works as their manager and their Aunt Janet has taken to wearing 3T baseball caps in support. But he said some critics and radio stations have been hard on them because they feel as if 3T hasn't paid its dues. There is also the added pressure of high expectations, he said. Either way, it doesn't hurt having Michael Jackson in their corner - at least in some respects. He helped produce their first album, ``Brotherhood,'' and has shared a few dance steps with them, although none are moves he uses himself, Taj said. Probably the most important lesson they've learned from him, however, is how to be strong in the face of adversity.

``That's exactly what they want, to see you raise the white flag,'' Taj said.

Their father's advice has been to stick together, and to make sure egos or solo careers don't destroy their bond. (Remember, Jermaine Jackson broke from his brothers from 1976 to 1984.) Not that Taj, Taryll and T.J. don't have other interests. Taj and Taryll are both enrolled at Loyola Marymount University. T.J. plans to start college in the fall. Taj wants to get into film directing. Taryll said he wants to become a songwriter and a record producer for other artists. They said T.J. is interested in business. Still, they will always come back to 3T, Taj said. Their goal is to someday play stadiums and tour the world.

``I think music is what binds us together,'' he said.