Hey everyone!
Welcome to a new series here on MJFanGirl, called MJFanGirl Introduces!
I have so many awesome fan friends and meet new fans through the blog each and every day. I thought it would be a great opportunity to feature interviews with fans who are doing some awesome things in the fan community. For this first feature, we will be chatting with Jovan Carter, a Michael Jackson tribute artist from Gary, Indiana. He's had awesome reviews and is an up and coming artist who really knows his stuff! I really enjoyed chatting with Jovan and learning more about what inspired him to become a Michael Jackson impersonator. Take a look at what makes him tick and learn more about the story behind his brand, Michael Jackson Impersonator-3 Legends.
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Q. It's to great to finally meet you Jovan! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. My name is Jovan Carter I am a Tribute Artist/Impersonator who currently lives in Chicago, IL but who is originally from Gary, In. like Michael. Also like Michael I am one of the youngest of a large family I don't think about it alot but there are actually 6 boys and 3 girls like the Jackson family and even my Dad's name is Joe.
Q. How long have you been a Michael Jackson fan?
A. I don't know if I can be precise because he was already everywhere on TV and in his prime at the time I was born in 80's. But I can definitely remember at age 4 watching all the new videos on B.E.T and MTV and wishing that the next artist would be him and then wanting everyone in the house to be quiet when he came on.
Q. What are your favorite MJ songs?
A. Billie Jean. That was the song that introduced the world to Michael on an iconic level. The total arrangement of it and it's creativity reminds me of James Brown coming up with Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, which was during a time that just about all music counts were on two and four-- James Brown was so unique in that song because the counts are on one and three. Billie Jean the grindy baseline, the whole sound and spirit is so unlike anything else before it. For example, look at the pattern of rhyme in the 1st stanza before the chorus and how it differs from the pattern of rhyme in the second stanza after the chorus... it's just something that I can only describe as raw innovation, pure creativity and one of my favorites. You can always play Billie Jean almost anywhere and people will feel like dancing. I also like Remember the time, Bad, Butterflies, Off the Wall and the list goes on.
Q. When did you first become a MJ impersonator?
A. When I was 15 in Gary, In at Roosevelt High School. The same place where Michael and his brothers won their first talent show, Roosevelt High School was also the place I won my first talent show as a MJ Impersonator.
Q. There are so many impersonators out there. What makes you unique?
A. You're right you have all nationalities too there are Hispanic ones, Black ones, people from India and other parts of the Middle East it really shows how much of an extensive mark he left on people around the world. But there are two main things that make me unique in a specific way. The first is having a foundation which we talked about that is so similar to MJ in terms of the same neighborhood in Gary and a family setup that is just uncanningly close. When you talk about artistry you can only pull from yourself and your experience. And you can't copy that, people think that you can but even Actors have to draw from something that's real. The second is that Michael not only studied but performed on a professional level tributes to Jackie Wilson and James Brown. You can find studio recordings of him singing "Lonely Teardrops" (Jackie Wilson) and of course "I Got the Feelin'" (James Brown.) I am the only Michael Jackson Impersonator I'm aware of who for a little over 10 years have like Michael also not only studied but performed on a professional level tributes to Jackie Wilson and James Brown. If Michael had to study these guys to become what he became it really puts an Impersonator further out of reach if they don't do the same. It's the 3 Legends I pay tributes to as to why I'm listed as: Michael Jackson Impersonator - 3 Legends, and the reason why my site is entitled www.michaeljackson3legends.com!
Q. What kinds of events do you usually perform at?
A. I perform for all ages at all types of events. I always say Chicago and beyond and I've been able to travel to many cities to do Parades, Festivals, Quinceanera's, Wedding Receptions, Anniversary Parties, Kid's parties (there are alot of Michael Jackson themed parties I do). The Senior events, Family Reunions, and Retirement parties are usually the ones I get the requests to combine Jackie Wilson, James Brown, and Michael Jackson into one show. All of these I would say are the ones I usually perform at, although I just received a request to do a show for a Circus, and will be performing on a Cruise Ship the beginning of next year. I'm open to new ideas and love getting in front of new people.
Q. What's the most rewarding thing about being a Michael Jackson impersonator/ tribute artist?
A. Seeing the same excitement that I had when I was a boy on Children's faces today and when an Elderly person tells me in the most genuine way how much they enjoyed the show. Also just as when I do Jackie Wilson and James Brown, performing as Michael Jackson seems so natural to me and it is really an extension of my personality. I'm one of those person's who if I hear a song that drives me it could be anywhere I have to move, if the song is new to me and really has that effect on me I have to play it at my house to see what it will teach my body to do. So as someone who before being a professional would rehearse a grueling 3 hours just for the insatiableness of it this allows me to express something that I would otherwise have to harness if I wasn't a Michael Jackson Impersonator.
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Thanks for chatting with us Jovan! It was awesome to learn more about this fan doing great things in the fan community.
If you are interested in booking Jovan, Michael Jackson Impersontor- 3 Legends,
So, I got to thinking, what better way to start em off early than just playing his music? For all of you MJFAM who are soon to be mommies (or one day in the future mommies like me), I have found an awesome way to introduce your children to Michael Jackson's music in a very subtle way.
