I first heard clips from Cynthia Jones' latest project on CDBay.com, and my first thought was that she's unique, a style that is somewhat unusual in gospel music, but one that can easily be embraced by anyone. We are honored to bring you our first interview of 2007 with "the Erykah Badu" of Gospel Music, Cynthia Jones

Please tell our readers who Cynthia Jones is.

I am probably one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet in music industry, always willing to help others whenever possible. I love singing, writing and creating music. I believe in keeping my temple healthy with daily exercise running, weightlifting and eating right. My hobbies are whitewater rafting, hang gliding, horseback riding and I absolutely love riding my motorcycle.  I’m spunky, spontaneous, adventurous and outgoing.  I just simply love enjoying life to the fullest. I can truly say, there is not a shy bone in my body, and when it comes to witnessing and taking a stand for Jesus Christ, you can count me in, as I’ve shown so many times with my Motorcycle Ministry “Soul Patrol.  I am highly respected throughout the motorcycle community as a Christian, an anointed gospel singer, and motorcyclist, and just in case you’re wondering, I ride a Kawasaki ZX11. I am very serious about my music ministry and my obligation as a gospel artist.  I don’t want to be instrumental in causing a soul to miss the mark of salvation by not being able to determine what my message is in my music.  Therefore, I don’t like to sing a lot of meaningless, watered down filtered lyrics.  I feel I have a job to do as an artist, and I want to make it plain that I’m about kingdom business.

Where are you from and how long have you been singing?

I am from Raleigh, North Carolina. I’ve been singing since the age of seven, and I play keys too.

Is the new project "Soulology" your first recording?

No, actually it’s not.  Soulology is my third project.  My first project was “Midnight”. That’s what put me on the map regionally.  As a matter of fact, I did my first major concert with Donald Lawrence and Fred Hammond as a result of that CD.  My second project was “Turn To You”, I must admit, I was all over the place with that CD, I had a little bit of everything on that CD, from rock…, yeah I like a little rock too, to traditional, contemporary, and neo soul, I even had a hymn on there, but track #10 “Something About That Name” is what brought me back home, to where I was all along, to the smooth blends of jazz and soul, which is where I am today with my third and current project “Soulology”.  Wow, Soulology came out the gate so hard and strong, I was no longer a regional artist.  The buzz began generating in the gospel music industry about a woman that has this serious neo soul sound that sounds like Erykah Badu, but she’s gospel. 

Who are some of the artists that you have performed with over the years?

I’ve been on two tours with Kirk Franklin, and just last year my schedule consisted of shows with Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond, Lisa McClendon, Debra Killings, DaTruth, Men of Standard and once more, Kirk Franklin on his Hero Tour.  The year before that, I performed with Smokie Norful, Kurt Carr, Rizen, Vickie Yohe on the One Church Tour.  There are so many other concerts that I’ve been on, or have been given the opportunity to open on for artist such as Flame, Donald Lawrence, Richard Smallwood, Helen Baylor, Canton Spirituals, and Trin-i-tee 5:7. God is just good.

When one listens to the project, they'll hear a jazzy, Erykah Badu style that seems to flow naturally. Have you been told by anyone that you sounded like Erykah Badu?

Yes, I’ve been told that many times …you sound just like Erykah Badu, but I never knew just how much I sound like her until one day while listening to the song in the car, one of my daughter’s classmates said… I didn’t’ know Erykah Badu had a gospel CD out, my daughter replied…that’s not Erykah Badu, that’s my mom. I’m telling you, as I said earlier, when I recorded my second project, I was all over the place trying to show how versatile I could be, but when we recorded the song “Something About That Name”, everything fell into place, it was so easy, we recorded that song in one take, all because I was there along, but is was prior to my accepting Christ., and I’m singing neo soul unto the Lord.

Tell me about the new project and your expectations for it?

The new project has been nothing but a blessing to me and to so many others.  I read all of the comments on my CD Baby account and on my guestbook from so many people that thought they had to give up listening to jazz and neo soul as a Christian, they thanked me for giving them gospel music in the style that they love without having to compromise lyrically. As far as my expectations, without saying too much, too soon, all I can say right now is, in 2007 I expect the entire Universe will get a lesson in Soulology. My label, Angel Dove Records, is in major negotiations as we speak, with another very well known label of which I will released in just a few weeks from now.  So stick and stay to my website at www.cynthiajones.com and join the mailing list to get information about the most anticipated launch party this year.

What has been one of your most memorable moments as an artist?

One of my most memorable moments was last year, when I was in Norfolk Virginia opening for Fred Hammond and Martha Munizzi on The Night of Praise and Worship Concert.  I was the only person in there from North Carolina; everybody else was either from Norfolk or from the Virginia area.  First my minutes were cut from 15 minutes to 10 minutes, but that was alright, I still brought my A game.  By the time I was finished, the crowd was in an upset, they wanted more, they continued chanting and singing my song acappella, but I was obedient, I walked off the stage, not going over my time. Someone tapped me on my shoulder and said listen to the crowd, they love you.  Then the event promoter came to me and said… looks like Fred may be a few minutes late getting here from the hotel, can you do another song?  I was like… can I? of course,  I’m ready, but before I had a chance to perform a second time, Fred came out. But I was honored that he asked me to perform again.

Who are some of your musical influences?

I like good music in general, and I‘ve always taken a liken to the singers that had that strong raspy voice, like Kim Burell, DaniBelle Hall from the Andre Crouch singers, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, The Clark Sisters, Tramaine Hawkins, and there some secular artists who are very talented such as Jill Scott, Angie Stone, Erykah Badu, Chaka Kahn, and Aretha Franklin, those women have substance in my opinion. 

What's in the future for Cynthia Jones, are you currently on tour, or planning any?

I’m excited about this year.  It’s difficult to rap my mind around everything that has happened with me and with the label.  I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for me. I haven’t started another tour yet, but I have started taking engagements, and one of my engagements will be on a Norwegian Cruise Ship on a concert cruise to Hawaii with my good friend, Malaco Records recording artist Gerald Hinton, but yes, you can expect another tour from me, and a few dates with a very well known Stellar nominated group this summer. Not saying too much too soon, I’ll have all of the details and news on my website, at www.cynthiajones.com, but make sure you join the mailing list so you can get it first. 

Finally Cynthia, if you have to leave words of encouragement with our readers, what would those be?

I would say to Keep God first and stay humble, and if God wants you to have it, then it’s yours, but you’re gonna have to work for it, work your faith, don’t wait for someone to do it for you.  Faith without works is dead.  As the scripture says, study to show thyself approve, so become more knowledgeable about the music industry.

Visit: www.cynthiajones.com