“The Grammy was for production, so you know hitting the stage as an artist it’s almost like I still have something to prove,” said singer/songwriter/producer Courtney Peebles, known professionally as JR.
Next Thursday night (May 2), JR will join singer/songwriter Kenny DeShields for a special show – JR’s first since winning a Grammy for his production work on LaCrae’s album back in February.
He and DeShields met seven years ago through the local music scene and became instant friends as well as kindred artistic spirits.
“He was coming out with a new record and I was coming out with a new project as well, and he was like, ‘Yo, what do you think about doing a show together?’ I was like, ‘I got you.’”
When they take the stage, audiences will hear what they’ve been up to musically thanks to JR’s new album Liberation and DeShields’ The Real Love Project.
“JR could have linked up with anybody else and he seemed really excited about it when I presented the idea to him, so I respect that,” DeShields said. “It’s a mutual respect – we both admire each other’s music, each other’s style and we keep each other doing our very best.”
DeShields, a native of North Point, Miss., came to St. Louis nine years ago and says he continually embraces the challenge of meeting expectations and standards set by the artistry of the local music scene – JR, Black Spade and Theresa Payne, in particular.
“He’s a good dude, and I can’t wait for people to hear,” JR said of DeShields. “I think they will dig it.”
Both JR and DeShields are well known among the faith-based music community, but their new music outstretches the traditional confines of Christian music, especially through the topics of love and romantic relationships.
“I think people are going to find themselves along the way in the journey if they listen to the lyrics,” DeShields said. “I just hope the show and the music gets people back to loving again, trusting again and believing again.”
“People say, ‘Wow, this is a different side of JR that we haven’t seen before,’” JR said.
“My first two records were intentionally geared towards the Christian audiences. I was young and new in my faith, and I really just wanted to express that view. Now that I’m older and even more mature in my faith, it has allowed me to talk more about the things I see in my life.”
It seems to be an unspoken rule that romantic relationships and love are off-limits in gospel music, so JR has erased the title that once defined his music.
“I’ve been married for seven years and I’ve broken a lot of hearts, but I also know what it’s like to be faithful to one woman,” JR said. “I don’t want to rob my audience of that. I took the title of a Christian artist off of my name because that audience wants you to sing about that only and I want to sing about whatever God puts on my heart.”
A man who loves God might bring a new look to love songs.
“I hope that they learn that love is much deeper than what you hear on the radio. I want them to say, ‘Wow, I felt good hearing truth and it enlightened me, but it didn’t feel like it was preachy,’” JR said.
“It was spoken to me right where I am, and I feel good. There is beauty in love. There are also going to be some hardships, and you have to do life intentionally.”
“I’m hoping that by seeing the show and hearing the music people learn to love honestly and freely,” DeShields said. “Come hungry. Come ready to sing. Come ready to dance. Come ready to live – and come ready to love again.”
JR and Kenny DeShields will perform at Plush (3224 Locust) on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/371257
