I’m in deep chill mode, but I can still hear……and I hear Toni Braxton is about to hit us up in February with “Pulse” her first album on the Atlantic label. So with all the leaking going on, you know a brother’s ears opened all the way up when I heard the single “I Hate Love”. While her song is good for a slow grind, and my “Hate To Love You” is a head bobbing, finger snapper, we are definitely on the same page with the storyline. J. Phoenix: Hate to love you, but I do/Toni: I hate myself for the way I feel about you. Oh somebody’s gotta remix that!

Word is the album might include some of the leaked songs, so I’m hoping we might get a little side-by-side airplay. Try it at home and see what you think. For “Hate To Love You” click Play Songs at the top of this page.

J on Jango………in case you haven’t heard, my music is now being played on Jango where you can set up your own radio station featuring me and your other favorite artists. The best part, it’s free. Go to http://www.jango.com/music/J+Phoenix to set up your J. Phoenix station and enjoy the music you like while you get a little work done.

While on staycation……been enough places in the past two years….. I’ve been stretching my songwriter muscle, studio hopping and catching up on industry business. I promise you something J. Phoenix will drop in 2010.

Let’s Stay Connected…….Follow me at Twitter, http://www.twitter.com/jphoenix

Three of my songs are now playing on Jango and I’d like to invite you to create your own FREE radio station, starting with one of my songs of course. Just go to http://www.jango.com, and type J. Phoenix in the big search box. Whenever my songs play, please click on the happy face to give me a rating. Thanks, and enjoy the music.

Come on through, Thursday, August 20, 7:00-9:00 p.m. I’ll be performing in Georgia during Born To Play, “the largest-ever simultaneous live acoustic music event,” hosted by Gap, in celebration of 40 years of heritage in jeans and music. I’ll be performing an intimate acoustic set of select songs from my debut album, Masterpiece, hits I’ve written for other artists, and a few surprises. I’ll also be available to speak with fans and autograph copies of his CD. Hope to see you. The event is free and open to the public.

The Gap AVENUE AT WEBB GIN 1350 Scenic Highway Gwinnett County , GA 30078 (678) 512-0278

J. Phoenix Grabs Honorable Mention For Three Songs in the 16th Annual Billboard World Song Contest

ASCAP Award Winner and Dove Award Nominated Songwriter and Vocalist Shares Honors with Long-Time Collaborators Gary Haase and The Heatmakerz

ASCAP Award Winner and Dove Award Nominated Songwriter and Vocalist, J. Phoenix wins honorable mention for “For The People,” the lead single from his debut album Masterpiece, and two unrecorded songs, “Crossroads” and “Light In The Dark,” in the 16th Billboard World Song Contest.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for your work. I’m at the end of a very long tour and this news is very rejuvenating,” he says.

Sharing the honors with J. Phoenix for “Light In The Dark,” which the judges describe as “a great track with a very pleasant soundscape”, is Gary Haase, his long-time collaborator and executive producer of Masterpiece, known for his work with such artists as Celine Dion, Chaka Khan, Randy Brecker and Michael Bolton. The judges also describe the song as having “lot’s of potential for wide and great success.” The Heatmakerz, the phenomenal Hip-Hop team known for their work with Cannibus Cam’ron, Lil Flip, and Lil Wayne, share honors on “Crossroads” which the judges described as having an “excellent vocal delivery and a very nice arrangement and progression,” and “For The People,” the high-spirited, infectious song called “a winner and real crowd pleaser with good melodies and a great message” by the A&R team at Taximusic.com.

J. Phoenix is currently closing out a two-year tour through Europe, North Africa, The Caribbean and Alaska. He is set to release a new single at the top of the second quarter next year.

Shocked!……..That pretty much sums it up. Over the past weeks, like most, I’ve been thinking about the music; and I’ve also been giving a lot of thought to the allegations, both old and new, and wishing he had the opportunity to vindicate himself. Like the rest of us, Michael was flawed….but his talent was perfect.

I’m joining the throngs of performers who have talked about Micheal’s influence on their careers. I’ll admit it, I did a few spins and a moonwalk or two when no one was looking, but, it has always been Michael’s connection to the world through his music that moves me most, followed by his kick-ass performances. There’s no doubt that Michael clearly understood the meaning of entertainment. In this department, I believe he was untouchable.

Now you know I have a Michael Jackson story……..A few years ago a mutual friend played Ghetto Love Song, for him, and his immediate response was “great voice …great song….who is this?” While I never got the chance to write with him, I’m holding on to the fact that the best on the planet said I had a great voice and I wrote a great song.

My MJ Soundtrack……….On the performance side, singing She’s Out Of My Life got me into a major talent show back in the day. On the listening and looking side, it’s a triple play with Thriller as favorite song, video and album. Coming in close for favorite song is Man In The Mirror.

It’s been a blessing to experience his genius, and I hope he’s found his peace.