Click the arrow to listen to “Baby Don’t You Know”
Jerome Hunter is a spiritual, talented man. When you look into his eyes you see a light of compassion. When you listen to him sing his songs, and play his music, he takes you somewhere between reality and dream; he brings you to a deep awareness impossible to hide from. His lyrics will comfort you, they will help diminish worry and bring joy to your life. His music will reverberate in your soul long after you first encounter his magic. He will inspire you in a gentle way. You will notice your body sway in perfect rhythm, as you sing along with him, getting to know him better. He is a man you will want to know.
Jerome Hunter grew up in a modest home in North Chicago, Illinois. He is married to Kerry Hunter, and is the father of four children, grandfather of ten. He was gifted to Beatrice and Robert Hunter on June 11, 1952. Together these fascinating parents raised eleven well-behaved children, instilling in them good morals and providing a home filled with artistic enrichment. He inherited the gift of blues that led him on his journey to become the fertile songwriter, singer and musician he is today. He is Timeless in the Wind.
Suzanne: These are amazing photos Jerry. Who took these, and where?
Jerry: James Fraher took them when I was a sit in model for professional Blues Players, like BB King - and Magic Slim, in Chicago. Magic Slim once joked that he liked my pictures so well he would use them instead of his own on his CD cover. I would sit in until they got there, he would set everything up, you know, the lighting, and that way he could take the perfect pictures of them when they got there. Being a photographer he noticed me. He said he chose me because when I was on stage I had so many different looks, like the way I held my guitar; he noticed how much passion I have for music. That’s how I got the job.
J: James Fraher took pictures of me for blues posters. They were sold at the Blues fest and somehow, someone connected with Mr. Scorsese saw them. They liked them so much that they decided to use one for the cover of the CD set.
S: I want to hear your story Jerome, tell me a little about those times back in North Chicago.
J: It was sometimes chaotic, but exciting, but we– I tell you there were eight of us in a house that had only two bedrooms.
S: How did you manage that?
J: Mom and Dad had a bedroom and they kept my younger brother in that room with them because he was the baby. My three brothers and I slept in one bed and my sisters, the four of them, slept in one bed. We had a divider in the room that was smaller than this one. (Referring to the room we sat in)
S: You really were the true meaning of a close family; I can relate coming from a large family myself.
J: Yes, we were a very close family; we still are.
S: Do you get to see each other much?
J: We try to. My brother Robert just moved to Texas, he has been down there about four years, so I miss him a lot. I don’t get to see him very much, he’s into music too, really musically inclined – we both are.
S: Yes, I heard your parents had musical personalities as well. Where did you learn to play guitar?
J: From my dad. Yes, I learned from my Dad when I was five years old. My Dad was a blues guitarist and he played and sat in with people like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf in Chicago, BB King, and all those guys from those days. As a matter of fact we used to have house parties on Saturdays. After these professional people played in Chicago, they would come to North Chicago and they would play all night out in the yard. Yeah, they would play all night. We were just little kids watching, you know.
S: What an amazing education!
J: Now I realize all the great entertainers I was around, but when you’re a kid, you know, you don’t realize it. I was around some of the greatest blues players that ever lived, and now I realize that. I got influences from my Dad mainly, because he taught me, but just watching these other guys come and play music all the time had an effect on me.
S: I can’t imagine life without music. How fortunate for you to grow up with this rich musical tradition. What artists did you listen to when you were younger?
J: We listened to BB King, Muddy Waters, I remember a lot of Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Elvis Presley, we listened to Jackie Robinson, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, you know all these famous guys. Sam Cooke – he went to church with my Mom, they went to the same church, they sang in the choir together.
S: Sam Cooke? Wow…I love the way he sings I love you for Sentimental Reasons…
J: Yeah, yeah, and Nat King Cole.
S: Oh, my God. Nat King Cole, Unforgettable. How wonderful and privileged.
J: Yes, my Mom knew him, they all knew each other, so all this talent was around and it became part of us. We listened to a lot of Flamingo guitar too. My Dad said you have to learn Flamingo Spanish guitar. He said you have to learn and listen to music from everybody, not just black artists. So that’s what I started doing. I played music by the Eagles, the Bee Gees, Chicago, by Earth, Wind & Fire – you name it. Smokey Robinson. I mean when me and Walter would go and play, they’d look at us and say, “God you guys do music by everybody.” It was all inside of us, you know my Dad said you can’t be prejudice; you can’t stay with just one music style, because you won’t learn. He said the way you learn is by playing different varieties of music.
S: So all of these artists certainly had an influence on you and your siblings.
J: Yes, we all were into music, all eleven kids, either we played an instrument or we sang, it was one of the two. We all had some kind of talent in some kind of way. We always had Mom and Dad to fall back on. My parents always said don’t let anything stop you from reaching your goals.
S: When did you first want to become a songwriter?
J: I took a writing class when I was thirty-eight at CLC College in Grayslake Illinois, just to start writing music. We would write stories from scratch to finish. I kind of knew in my head what I wanted to do. At the time I was trying to work toward that goal to use the right phrases at the right places so it helped me a lot.
Back in the 80’s I listened to all these songs on the radio, and I would play music to everyone else’s songs, I could play like they could and sing too. And I thought to myself holy cow, instead of playing everyone else’s songs in these clubs every weekend, why can’t I play my own songs. That’s when it all started. That’s when I started getting serious about writing music. I heard songs out there that I didn’t think were very good – so I thought I had just as good a chance as anyone and I’m still working on it.
S: Are your parents still alive?
J: My Mom is still alive. She calls me once a week saying “Honey, I’m listening to your song, it’s so great, and it’s so awesome. I love it.”
S: I love it too! Can you tell me a little about your Chicago Bears days? Have you maintained any friendships with anyone?
J: I didn’t play a long time with them. Dennis McKinnon is one of my best friends from the Chicago Bear days, still to this day… he was the best man at my wedding. He got us on the crew; we played for the Purple Heart Crew for the veterans. It was awesome. Yeah me and Walter Thomas played, he’s a keyboard player. Me and Walter go way back to childhood . He lived right next door to us. Their house was just as small as ours, but we had more kids!
S: That was back in North Chicago?
J: Yes, we’ve been great friends ever since. We still write music together. He is a phenomenal keyboard player, singer and a writer also. He has two CD’s out and a third one is coming out Saturday. He’s amazing.
S: Where else do you actually sit down and write?
J: Sometimes I write when I drive to work, I head out about five o’clock in the morning, so stuff will be just running through my head. I’ll pull over and start writing stuff down, it doesn’t even make sense at the time, then I’ll have coffee and I’ll remember parts of my dreams. Sometimes when I’m at my patient’s house something will come to me, and I’ll write it down. If I need a phrase, I’ll look back at all the pieces from my notes, and it’s there. The words just come together to form a song.
S: I hear there is a new CD in the works. Did you write all of the songs on this new CD and what will the title be?
J: It will be called The Man behind the Mask. On this CD there are a total of seven songs that I wrote. With the exception of one song I was stuck on. Walter Thomas and Karen Thomas helped me with some lyrics from something they pulled from a long time ago. They helped me with a couple of phrases that just fit, so we’ll go as co-writers for one song.
And then the lyrics and the music of another song Moving On were written by my producer Chris Crain, but he wants me to sing it. He said, “I wrote it in your voice range, expressly for you, because your voice is different and I want to hear your voice on this song.”
Then there’s another song called Mirage. My friend Walter wrote the music. We’re singing it together. This is really weird… I went over to Walter’s house one day and he was playing this music… I said holy cow that sounds great! So he burns me a copy of the music. I listened to it on my way home, his music is so awesome, and inspired me so much that I finished the whole song on the way home! I called Walter right away and said you’ve got to listen to this, I finished the song. He said “J”, that’s what Walter calls me, “that’s unbelievable, and to write lyrics like that”, he said, “that’s phenomenal.” The lyrics of Mirage are pretty sharp.
S: How do you feel when you’re at the studio, recording…when you’re singing?
J: I feel like ahhh. Whenever I’m in the studio getting the music down I feel like it’s a dream come true. It started out as a thought and now it’s like reality, a dream come true. It’s the best feeling in the world… when you get all these musicians together, and they’re pulling your song together, you feel so good inside. I’ll tell you, you can live off the high for years, you don’t need anything.
S: Who are all the other professionals that are helping put this CD together?
J: Chris Crain is the producer. He helped me produce Baby Don’t You Know, he put all the little musical traits around my chords that just brought it all together; he doesn’t change my music or my lyrics, he says I write great music and lyrics. He said all he needed to do was enhance what I have and he’s fantastic at it.
S: Which other artists are recording with you?
J: As a matter of fact we brought in a drummer from Atlanta. His name is Wendell Holmes. Chris felt that this guy needed to be on the CD because he is such a superb drummer. He wants this CD to move, he thinks this CD has a great chance to sky rocket. A bass player came in, his name is Alvin Quinn, and I believe he is from Louisiana.
S: And didn’t you tell me there was another guitarist?
J: Yes, the guitarist plays for Mary J. Blige. He heard the music to the CD, Chris sent it to him; and he called Chris the other day and said, “I want to be on that CD.” He’s in Japan right now, but he’s flying back. So all these guys have produced albums with other people and helped produce artists that made it, so it’s really cool.
This was a very nice, well written, human interest piece. It was especially pleasant reading the interview with the music playing. Jerry seems to e a very talented man and I’m sure he will be successful in the future. I look forward to reading part 2 of this interview.
i enjoyed this article. So fascinating the connections to the greats you have, Jerome. I am curious where you live now and what recording company you use. Good luck. Rachelle Laundrie
This article is in my top ten ever written. Very well put together…it just seemed to flow with the music. Good luck with the rest of your writings and good luck to Jerome with the rest of his music! Go Bears!!!!
Very well written. It was evident that the interview was done with true compassion, care, and interest in Jerome. If more interviews were done as well as this one society would have a much better view and idea of artist.
What an out standing article, I have known Jerome for about five years he is such an outstanding person and Suzanne you have reached into his soul and put it in print. done with so much feeling and compassion. Great Job.
Outstanding! Written with such passion! Your interest in the real person was very evident. So descriptive, so honest, yet down to earth. You seem to have captured the real person. Please write more!
Just so you all know, I know Jerome Hunter personally and if you want to meet him I only charge $50.00 per person.(smile jokingly). Seriously, I love you Jay and the article is brilliant.
This article is very inspiring, and It also illustrates how ones dreams can come true. Believing in someone, and what they can accomplish is an example of “FAITH”. This is a long awaiting dream for you, and success will follow. I always believed in you, just like you believed in me. You set the standards for me, and for that I will also flourish. Your son, Jay
#9The girls at Johnson Bank on 11.20.07 at 5:50 pm
Jerry is an extremely talented and inspirational singer. He is the kindest and most sincere person you will ever meet. Everyone here at Johnson Bank lights up when Jerry comes! And wishing for another day when he comes in serenades us again.
This article is very true and I am so proud to be your youngest sibling. I’m also thankful that God blessed us with parents that instilled in us good morales and musical abilities. I am also so thankful that I am now in this area with my children and we will be able to see each other more often. I love you and I am so very proud of you and I meant it when I said, ” I want to sing back up on one of your songs.” Yes, I spoke with Josh and his is still playing the guitar. Did you know that you are an inspiration to your nephew? You are carrying on the tradition and heritage that dad gave to you, to my son. Love you lots, baby sis….
A great interview with my good friend Jerry. Jerry and I had a great time making the photographs you see with this story. He was always up for trying something different whether posing with a guitar or just on his own or with a prop. Although many times we were testing a lighting or backdrop for a future photo shoot with a blues guy, I always felt our photo shoots were creating a great photograph of Jerry. For some of my blues posters he and I created some artistic blues images that represented a universal bluesman. An interesting collaboration which for me is what portrait photography is all about. We have always supported each other’s creativity in music, songwriting and art. Thanks Jerry for being who you are!
12 comments ↓
This was a very nice, well written, human interest piece. It was especially pleasant reading the interview with the music playing. Jerry seems to e a very talented man and I’m sure he will be successful in the future. I look forward to reading part 2 of this interview.
i enjoyed this article. So fascinating the connections to the greats you have, Jerome. I am curious where you live now and what recording company you use. Good luck. Rachelle Laundrie
This article is in my top ten ever written. Very well put together…it just seemed to flow with the music. Good luck with the rest of your writings and good luck to Jerome with the rest of his music! Go Bears!!!!
Very well written. It was evident that the interview was done with true compassion, care, and interest in Jerome. If more interviews were done as well as this one society would have a much better view and idea of artist.
What an out standing article, I have known Jerome for about five years he is such an outstanding person and Suzanne you have reached into his soul and put it in print. done with so much feeling and compassion. Great Job.
Outstanding! Written with such passion! Your interest in the real person was very evident. So descriptive, so honest, yet down to earth. You seem to have captured the real person. Please write more!
Just so you all know, I know Jerome Hunter personally and if you want to meet him I only charge $50.00 per person.(smile jokingly). Seriously, I love you Jay and the article is brilliant.
This article is very inspiring, and It also illustrates how ones dreams can come true. Believing in someone, and what they can accomplish is an example of “FAITH”. This is a long awaiting dream for you, and success will follow. I always believed in you, just like you believed in me. You set the standards for me, and for that I will also flourish. Your son, Jay
Jerry is an extremely talented and inspirational singer. He is the kindest and most sincere person you will ever meet. Everyone here at Johnson Bank lights up when Jerry comes! And wishing for another day when he comes in serenades us again.
This article is very true and I am so proud to be your youngest sibling. I’m also thankful that God blessed us with parents that instilled in us good morales and musical abilities. I am also so thankful that I am now in this area with my children and we will be able to see each other more often. I love you and I am so very proud of you and I meant it when I said, ” I want to sing back up on one of your songs.” Yes, I spoke with Josh and his is still playing the guitar. Did you know that you are an inspiration to your nephew? You are carrying on the tradition and heritage that dad gave to you, to my son. Love you lots, baby sis….
A great interview with my good friend Jerry. Jerry and I had a great time making the photographs you see with this story. He was always up for trying something different whether posing with a guitar or just on his own or with a prop. Although many times we were testing a lighting or backdrop for a future photo shoot with a blues guy, I always felt our photo shoots were creating a great photograph of Jerry. For some of my blues posters he and I created some artistic blues images that represented a universal bluesman. An interesting collaboration which for me is what portrait photography is all about. We have always supported each other’s creativity in music, songwriting and art. Thanks Jerry for being who you are!
Great article. How can Jerome Hunter be contacted? Does he have a website or email address that can be posted? When is his CD due to be released?
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