JONES TALKIN’

with...

Elliott Yamin

FROM THE FANS - FOR THE FANS!

Part Two

What is your favorite time of the day?
*Jill*

My favorite time of the day is the nighttime.  It’s definitely the PM.  I’m a very nocturnal person.  I’ve had plenty of jobs where I’ve had to get up and go to work in the morning, but I’ve never been a morning person and I never will be!  (Laughing)  I feel most alive at night.  I come alive at night, too!  I stay up late and I just kind of do my schedule at night and now…being in this business I’m working so hard in the studio late at night and coming home late.  I’m just used to being up at night really late.  So, my favorite time is definitely nighttime!

This fan is from Korea.  You have a lot of fans in Korea, Elliott!
*Mrs. Jones*

What do you think of alternative rock and Nirvana?
*Kim Ju Hyun*

Oh man, I love alternative rock!!  I love Nirvana!  Teen Spirit…are you kidding me?!  It reminds me of high school and middle school.  We used to have this thing called Teen Scene back home in Richmond.  It was held at the YMCA every Friday night.  All the kids from my middle school would go to the YMCA and it would be a big dance party.  It was someplace safe that your parents could take you to and drop you off - it was totally supervised.  It was just a safe environment to go and have a good time with your peers.  Those kinds of songs from Nirvana really remind me of those days.  You hear all the songs that were playing on the radio and popular that time and for me it was Nirvana.  So yeah…I love Nirvana!!  I’ve got every album they ever put out.  I’m a huge fan of all types of music.  But I love Nirvana!!!!  

What’s your favorite type of car? 
*Jill*

Good question...let’s see….I always wanted to have a Porsche one day!!  I’ve always kind of dreamed of owning that car.

What color?
*Mrs. Jones*

Probably blue because blue’s my favorite color.  Like a dark navy or midnight blue.

Who inspires you – in your music and in your life? 
*Ayela*

Probably my Mom. 

Ohhhhh that’s so nice!!
*Mrs. Jones*

From the very beginning, she was the one was who always around me singing.  I think inadvertently she really instilled my love and passion for music because I was exposed to it from such an early age - since a young child.  Just her singing around me all the time and playing music, cleaning the house singing music, riding around in the car singing music, and I think that’s where it all started for me.

What’s your favorite snack?
*Jimmy*

My favorite snack is a forbidden one for me!!  I really like those Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls!!

(Laughing) You’re kidding, right!?
*Mrs. Jones*

I love those!  I’m a diabetic but I used to stock up on those whenever my blood sugar got low. I would pop a couple of those in my mouth and I’d be totally fine!! If you ever get a chance to try one of those, they’re great!

No I never had one of those.  I’m a Ring Ding person myself!
*Mrs. Jones*

Oh, I can down the Ring Dings, too!  (Laughing)

I was wondering…is there a fan mail address where I can send Elliott a letter?
*Courtney*

Yes, actually!  I have a P.O. Box at Copy Cat Printing and you can send it there. 
It’s in Mechanicsville, VA.

In where Ville?
*Mrs. Jones*

Mechanicsville!  (Laughing) – We have a lot of Villes in VA!  (Laughing)
It’s like Mechanics – like a car?

OH!!!  Mechanics-ville – I got it!
*Mrs. Jones*

Yep!  Everything is a Ville in Virginia!!

Okay, fans …Here’s where the mail goes!

*Mrs. Jones*

Elliott Yamin
Copy Cat Printing
P.O. Box 460 (letters and cards only)
Mechanicsville, VA  23111

If it’s a package, please send it to 5516 Mechanicsville Tpke (omit the P.O. Box 460) and our friend, Denise, will MAKE SURE Elliott gets each and every thing you send!

What is your favorite track on your album?
*Aram Lee*

I’ve been asked that a lot lately with all the press that I’ve been doing…and it’s hard to really narrow it down to just one because there are so many different sounds on there.   I like “One Word” a lot.  I like the lyrics of it.  And I like “Find A Way” a lot, too.

 What’s your favorite performance that you performed on American Idol?
*Aram Lee*

Well….probably “A Song for You.”  But I feel that I had three strong performances that really solidified me as a singer and really captured people’s attention.  I think at first it was “Moody’s Mood for Love,” and then I think it was “It Had to Be You,” and then it was “A Song for You.”  I always dreamed of being able to sing a Donny Hathaway song.  I always dreamed of being able to sing “Moody’s Mood for Love” live because I’ve been singing that for years by myself – alone…in the shower, around the house – you know!  I never even sang them in karaoke or anything like that.  I was so full of joy when I learned that I had the opportunity to sing those two songs on the show.  Those are songs I know very well and really love. 

What is absolutely the most important thing to you personally in your life in terms of values?
*Linda*

The most important thing to me is just to be a good person and treat people the right way.  That’s kind of always been my thing.  To be open-hearted and treat people well.  You don’t have to be a religious person, you don’t have to be God bearing, and you don’t have to walk around being able to quote the Bible or being able to quote whatever your book of faith is.  The bottom line is just to be a good person and treat people with respect and treat people the right way - the way they should be treated.  I’ve always used that as a basic guideline for how to live my life - just to be good and to be honest with people.  Just because that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

How did you prepare for songwriting?  Did you have to take lessons?  Did someone teach you this?
*Alab*

No.  I didn’t take any lessons on how to song write, but I did get lessons….not in a teaching sort of way, but I co-wrote all the songs that I wrote with other songwriters.  Just being around other talented people, I fed off of their energy and fed off of their talents and we kind of put our heads together collectively and wrote together.  I did learn from them how to approach a song and where to come from when you’re writing and I really learned a lot in the beginning of the show.  We worked with so many great recording artists - so many great entertainers like Barry Manilow and Kenny Rogers…all these great songwriters.  I learned from them initially - how to understand that we are storytellers, too.  That’s important to make that connection with the audience when you sing.  Anyone can just get up there and sing whether you’re good or bad, but it’s a connection that you make with the audience that really sells a song and really makes them believe.  I learned that early on in the show, but prior to that I had really no experience in writing songs. 

Did you have a Mr. Microphone when you were a child? 
*Carole*

Are you kidding me?!?!?  (Laughing)  I used everything…combs, brushes, and I never even really used a comb or brush on my hair!  But, I would take my mom’s brush and I’d used all kinds of stuff for fake mics.  I’d use spatulas or a big mixer handle…anything!  You know those wire whisks?  They were good to use!!  (Laughing)  Oh yeah, I’d sing in front of the mirror and all around the house.  I used to annoy the hell out of my brother who would always tell me to “shut up” and “be quiet” because he was trying to rest or do his homework.  We would always butt heads on my singing because it was more of a nuisance to everybody than it was a pleasure!

Didn’t they take you seriously?
*Mrs. Jones*

No, they really didn’t, but that’s okay!!  You gotta go through those kinds of things!!  Those were funny times.  We always talk about that still because here I am today and man I used to really annoy the hell out of my family!!  (Laughing)   Let them eat their hearts out now!!  (Laughing)

Do you read your My Space messages personally or is someone reading them for you?
*Andrea*

You know, that’s a great question. I’m glad Andrea asked that.  It’s great because I get a lot of questions from fans and they always ask me that question. I read most of my messages, yes.  Before I went on Regis and Kelly, I used to read just about every single message and every comment.  However…since I started making these national television appearances, my messages have basically quadrupled!!  I have a good friend, Brandon, back home in Richmond who helps me maintain my page.  He helps read and approve messages for me.  I will tell you this though…I do write all of my own blogs.  I feel that’s a very important way to stay connected with the fans.  Yeah, so my buddy Brandon and my marketing team help maintain my page and keep it up-to-date for me.  They post the videos, all the information about where I’ll be and things like that.  But as far as blogging, I write all of those myself. It’s just another way for me to stay connected with people and I love it.  I always try to make time for it.  The messages have really been pouring in like crazy since I’ve started this press tour!  It’s been kind of hard to keep up with just myself lately!

Well, that’s all good stuff though.
*Mrs. Jones*

It is.  It’s great!  Absolutely great!  I’m just tickled to death about it. 

Elliott, you are the greatest vocalist of the 21st century.  How are you able to connect to my inner soul when you sing?  Do you have antenna?
*Benito*

I don’t know…is that a question??  I really don’t know how to answer this question.  It makes me so happy that I can connect to your inner soul though…thank you.

Do you really know how many hearts and souls you have touched with your beautiful voice?
*Carol*

That’s a good question because I get that asked all the time by my friends…They tell me they don’t think I ever realize a) how talented I am and, b) how my talent just touches so many people in so many different ways.  But now I’m starting to see that.  I’m starting to realize that the more I get out there and do more press and meet more fans, the more I see how people are really connected with me.  Sometimes it’s kind of weird for me to really know how I impact people.  But, I think it’s great.  People feel really connected to me and I think that’s just because they just see a regular guy with talent who’s making it.  That’s one of the things about what the show does for you.  People kind of watch you evolve - they grow up with you so they feel really connected. 

How has life changed for your brother, Scott, because of your fame?
*Eileen*

Oh boy…I feel bad sometimes because there’s so much attention on me and he’s really great about it.  My mom was always in the audience every week and she got a lot of exposure.  She’s kind of become a little celebrity herself in her own right and she loves every part of it!  She gets a lot of attention and she deserves it.  My brother, on the other hand, he’s doing stuff just as great as I am.  He’s studying to be a pharmacist and he’s very successful in school - he and I have always been totally different when it comes to academics.  He’s totally into the books and I never was.  He and I are really different.  But we’re alike in many ways, too.  But, he’s handing it great and he’s very mature about the whole thing.  I went back home and did a couple of in-stores and he was right by my side.  He really enjoys behind the scenes stuff and he enjoys seeing all the fans.  He came out to a bunch of shows on tour last summer and I’d hook him up with tickets to give out to the fans.  He gave them to handicapped kids, handed out backstage passes to the kids with disabilities and things like that.  He loves doing that kind of stuff.  He's been great, but I just feel bad sometimes because even when we’re together, there’s always so much attention focused on me.  He and I have had so many different talks about the business and the industry and about how my career is taking off – I always want him to be a part of it.  He tells me how much he loves it and everything, but it’s still kind of weird for both of us.  The success is kind of overnight - it’s so brand new.  He’s been handling it great though.

What is your favorite movie?
*Lance*

My favorite movie is “Coming to America!”  (Laughing)  I can actually quote that movie word for word!  Every line!  I’ve seen it so many times - I love it!!  I love the fact that Eddie Murphy plays so many great different characters in the movie.  It’s just my all-time classic favorite without a doubt!

Who’s your favorite actor?
*Doris*

Wow...that’s a good question!  I never really thought of that.  I really like Ben Stiller a lot.  He’s just a real funny, cool guy.  I had the pleasure of meeting him and his wife at the Finale.  He was just the sweetest guy.  I took pictures with him and he was really acting like a fan of MINE which was crazy!!  I’ve seen everything he’s been in - I love him!

You’ve cried many tears of joy while you were on Idol.  On what occasion since Idol, have you cried tears of joy?
*Cindy*

Probably when I found out Sony wanted to partner up with me and offer me a record deal.  It was just a great moment!  It was another dream of mine getting closer and closer and I could see that I was really starting to accomplish my goals.  It’s really hard to describe because I never had those experiences prior to Idol.  It’s all coming true for me now – setting goals and accomplishing them all…amazing.

And that’s huge, Elliott!
*Mrs. Jones*

Yeah, it was and it still is.  I just kind of took a step back and thought about it and I get all choked up.  Of course, being around my mom…she makes me cry.  We’re just a big crying family - we cry a lot! My dad cries a lot, too.  We’re big criers.  We’re big cry babies is what we are!  (Laughing) Being around my mom, it’s hard not to cry because she gets so happy and she probably cried five or ten times while I was home last week!  She’s just so proud and she can never hold back the tears.  So, it’s great!

Elliott, when you were singing “Knocks Me off My Feet” for Stevie Wonder on the Idol clip, you seemed so at ease and natural.  On a scale of one to ten, how nervous were you?
*Mary*

Ohhhhh - It was OFF the scale!! I was off the Richter Scale – it was definitely higher than ten, that’s for sure as far as ten being the most nervous…it was probably way passed that!  You know, I was probably more nervous performing the song on the show than I was performing it in front of Stevie Wonder himself.  I put a lot of pressure on myself that week because I wanted to do his song justice and honestly, like I said, I wouldn’t change anything about the show or anything, but…I was so nervous on the stage when I actually performed it that I don’t think I performed it as best as I could have.  Again, that’s okay…I honestly wouldn’t go back and change it because I’m not complaining about that, but…I just know how nervous I was inside because here I was doing my own Idol’s song and he was watching!  After all the compliments he gave me, I just thought that I had a lot to live up to.  I just wanted to do him justice and I don’t feel I really did, even though other people in the show said I did.  I’m always my own toughest critic.  I was very nervous though…off the scale!!

Elliott, what did Simon and Randy say about you when you first auditioned for them?  I know Paula said, “Nice, really nice.”  What else happened in terms of verbal exchanges?  Also, what did the producers think of you, as well as the person you first auditioned for in Boston?
*Justin*

You know what…it’s funny because I really don’t remember.  It’s kind of one of those moments where you are just so excited that you really remember but you don’t.  You know what I mean?  You hear things but it goes in one ear and out the other!  I remember before the Paula, Simon and Randy round at the auditions…the executive producers, Nigel Lithgow and Ken Warwick, said to me, “You have a very unique voice.  And we’re definitely looking for a unique sound and talent in this competition.  That’s what it’s all about.”  And they said something to the effect, “You epitomize that.  You’re exactly what we are looking for.”  And then they said, “You have a very good recordable voice.  Your voice would sound really good on a record.”  And that was a pretty cool compliment!  So then they invited me back.  When I came back a month later to go before the three judges…I really don’t remember what Paula, Randy and Simon said.  I just can’t remember!

He was an ordinary citizen in Virginia until two years ago.  American Idol came and changed everything.  How does Elliott feel to know that he is known and that his music is getting to the hearts of people in countries that he’s never been to, like where I live...in Brazil?
*Amanda from Brazil*

I feel very special.  I feel very lucky, actually.  I am very blessed to have so many people around the globe that really know who I am and who are familiar with my music now.  It’s just an insurmountable amount of joy that I have and probably the most wonderful sense of pride.  It’s hard to describe and put into words how cool it is to actually have fans in other countries that know who I am and who love my music.  I get messages on my MySpace from people in Indonesia and just from all over…it’s so cool.  I’ve gotten gifts from Japan with my name written in Japanese and so many cool things and cool comments.  There’s just so much love and support out there for me.  It’s unimaginable.  I’ve never imagined this in my wildest dreams.  It’s been great and hopefully I can get to all those countries and play for them.

They are waiting for you!  That’s for sure – get out there on the road, Elliott!
*Mrs. Jones*

I know it!  I can’t wait to get out there!  I’m coming to your hometown soon, fans!
I’ll be there soon!!!

**********************************

And there you have it...YOUR questions - Elliott's answers!

It was an absolute pleasure interviewing Elliott – he’s such a great guy – so down to earth - and I thank you for all the wonderful questions you sent in, fans!  He had his work cut out for him, that’s for sure!  Before we wrap this up though... we’ll end it with our Jones Talkin’ Speed Round!  Think you know Elliott?  Cover the right side of your computer screen…and NO peeking!  See if YOU know what Elliott's answers will be!

Ready?
Set?
Here we go!

The Jones Talkin’ Speed Round

with Elliott!
No thinking, no do-overs, no cuts, no edits!!!