Reminiscin' - Interviews - Russell Thompkins Jr & The Stylistics

Though, time has surpassed their music still remain fashionably Stylistic, Russell Thompkins Jr & The Stylistics are the crooners of soul music. Having brought us the endearing tracks, such as, You Make Me Feel Brand New and I'm Stone in Love With You the band were at the heart of all romantics as well as their fans.

But as Russell Thompkins Jr quite rightfully exclaims to Reminiscin', "It's not over yet!" As the man , himself insists they are far from hanging up their microphones, Russell Thompkins Jr reveals to Reminiscin' about his fondest memory of his late friend, James Brown, dealing with fanatical fans and his strict exercising regime!

Your music has spanned over many years-what makes Russell Thompkins Jr & The Stylistics, lyrically and musically diverse? Russell: Well, it's been over 30-something years with the music now and I have thought about this many times. I think the only thing is the romantic content of the music. They are love songs and they tell of true love. I think basically that is it, the romantic concept of it, and the fact that they were love songs.

Have you received any heart warming responses on how your music has helped people/fans in any way?
Russell: Oooooh, many, many. I meet people now and their children tell me stories of how their parents told them of when they first met or when they got married or fell in love that this was the music that they listened to. And in turn they (the children) started to listen to the music themselves.

What has been your driving force behind your music?
Russell: Well, I worked with the original group for over 30-years. What I really enjoyed doing was the creation of the music, and then to be coming out on the road and performing music that I have made, and seeing the response that people have with it. Plus, it was my job.

What is the defining aspect of your music - what makes you different from other artists?
Russell: That I couldn't tell (laughs), just the fact that I am different person. I know I have a real strong romantic streak in me. Whatever you feel inside has a tendency of coming out. I have a real warm feeling inside of me whenever I sing those songs. I think the communication between me and the audience is there.

Any unattained goals you yet to strive for?
Russell: Well, I don't know about the future that well, just the fact that I am happy that God has given me the strength to continue to perform, sing and still deliver the message that I always had. I would like to get back to a little bit of more recording, doing some more love songs whether the market will accept it or not. I just want to keep going for as long as I can.

What are your personal goals for 2007?
Russell: It is one of my personal goals to sing forever.

Are goals a necessity in the music business? With such a competitive industry do you need to set yourself a benchmark?
Russell: I think it is hard to set a benchmark in the industry, but it is easy to do it in life. If you set goals in your life then it will reflect on everything else that you do- your music, job, family, your everyday living. Just having a benchmark in life to be a better person and to grow and be a better individual, I think that right there makes everything in your life become better.

What are the most popular song/s fans request/s?
Russell: I guess all around the most popular songs are, You are Everything, Betcha By Golly Wow, Stop , Look and Listen, Rock n' Roll Baby, I'm Stone in Love With You, You Make Me Feel Brand New, Let's Put It All Together.

How do you sustain a loyal fan base?
Russell: I have always had a close contact with my fans. My fans have always been able to get in touch with me and they have always been able to talk to me. I spend time if I can outside of the stage speaking to them.

Have you ever come across any fanatical fans?
Russell: Oh yeah (laughs) but it is not as crazy and fanatical. If you don't run or you don't fight back with people like that then they will have a tendency to wanna leave you alone. If you take the time to talk to people rationally and make them understand how you are, and not make yourself a target, people will leave you alone.

Having been on the road for as long as you have-has the dynamics of touring changed over the years?
Russell: Yes, it's not as much work as it used to be. There use to be a time when we use to come to the UK and we would stay over for a month or two, but now the work is to the point that we only work for about a week or maybe two. I think it is because the industry has changed and the club scene. Also, people of my age and my fan base don't go out as much as younger people go out to see the younger acts.

What's the best thing about being on the road? What do you look most forward to when touring?
Russell: I don't know. I just look forward to coming out and doing the show. I always prepare myself to go on the road. If I know I am going out on the road in two or three weeks or something like that, I get into a physical regiment. I am a runner and I exercise. I try and get into the best shape I possibly can, because when you come on the road you are not going to eat well, your not gonna sleep right and things like that. So, I try and get physically in shape, so my preparation is what I look forward to. When I come out on the road all that work seems to pay off.

Would you consider your active lifestyle fundamental in your daily life?
Russell: Yes, it would have to be a big part of your life. I have done it now for as close to 40-years.

How do you relax?
Russell: Well I stopped singing for a few years on the road and went back to music school. A lot of my relaxation now is actually sitting at the piano now and doing compositions, studying music theory and harmony. It's just spending time at home because for a very long time I wasn't in my house for so long.

Has music opened up other interesting hobbies or avenues for you? If so what?
Russell: No, my life basically has always centred on music and I really haven't had anytime to try and do anything else. I never really had the time to go and get a different education or try another vocation. It has always been about music. At the time when I went back to school for music, I also when back to High School also, but I took mathematics, because mathematics goes hand in hand with music. I really have never done anything else. Since I was 17/18 years-old I basically just sang.

What perks you up when you're down?
Russell: I have to put my faith in God. In all the time growing older you tend to understand more about life and God's position in life and God's position in your life. I know what God has given me and I know I have to ask him constantly and talk to God, and make him apart of my life so I can stay strong.
In the Sixties, music videos were not as popular as they have become today for musicians - do you feel you missed out on the video world at all? Would it be something you would like to do now?
Russell: There is a possibility of doing something. I haven't done too many videos, it has never been apart of my careers that much. I started in the business at a time where there was no such thing. It has become big in the last 10-20-years, but I have done very little work at it. It's not over yet (laughs).

Sadly, James Brown past away - what are your fondness memories of James Brown?
Russell: I got married on the 4th of September 1970; the day after I got married I went on a 35-one night tour with James Brown. I have travelled with James for many, many years. If it wasn't for James Brown, people all over the United States would not have known, The Stylistics. Like I said, it was at a time where there was no such thing as videos or anything like that. We had done some television programmes and that helped, but James took us to all the little cities and town in the US, so people actually got a chance to see The Stylistics. I do owe a great debt to James and I hope he is resting in peace. He worked hard for a long time.

How will James Brown be remembered?
Russell: As what he was called-the hardest working man in show business, the Godfather of Soul. He will also be remembered by black people in my time, of my age about the things that he did in the late Sixties and early Seventies, when the race riots and black and white problems were very strong in the States. He could go into a city and calm people down and make them stop rioting and fighting through his songs, like, Say It Loud And I'm Black and I'm Proud. He made black people feel proud of themselves at a time when a lot of black people didn't feel that way or think that way. He was a very influential man when it came to his music and using his star quality to help people and he never stopped doing things for children.

Are there any new projects on the horizon at the moment?
Russell: I working on a new CD-some cover and some brand new songs. Hopefully, I will have that ready in a few months-I couldn't put a timetable on it right now. Also touring with the new band.