Celebrity Jobber Podcast with Jeff Zito

Episode: Jimmy Jam (James Samuel Harris III)

Date: December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features legendary songwriter and producer Jimmy Jam (James Samuel Harris III), best known as one half of the iconic duo Jam & Lewis. Host Jeff Zito delves into Jimmy Jam’s early days in Minneapolis, his formative years with Prince, the origin of The Time, pivotal career moments—including being fired by Prince—and his latest endeavors, such as the “100 Billion Meals” initiative and upcoming live projects. The episode reflects on the question: If not for music, what would have become of Jimmy Jam? It’s an inspiring deep dive for fans of music history, creativity, and redemption stories.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The “Pegging the Red” Studio Anecdote

[06:20 – 07:46]

• Jeff recalls a story about the making of Janet Jackson’s Control album, where Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were "pegging the red" on studio meters.
• Jimmy Jam explains:
  • Prince’s philosophy: "He always wanted his records to sound loud when they came on the radio," so he pushed for a little distortion for impact.
  • Jam & Lewis went even further, partly due to inexperience and tape calibration quirks—resulting in a unique, influential sound.
• Notable quote:

  “That kind of mistake was the thing that really changed the way I think that record sounded and the way ultimately music sounded.” – Jimmy Jam [07:37]

2. Earliest Encounters with Prince and the Minneapolis Scene

[07:47 – 10:08]

• Jimmy and Prince met in junior high in a piano class. Both already played, but Prince chose guitar for the school band, surprising Jimmy.
• Memorable story:
  • First rehearsal: Prince flawlessly replicates a Terry Kath (Chicago) guitar solo, then wows on drums.
• The Minneapolis band community was deeply creative—Jimmy notes the cold weather kept them inside rehearsing.
• Notable quote:

  “We were probably 13 years old… I’ve never seen anything like that.” – Jimmy Jam [08:50]

3. The Origin and Rivalry of The Time

[10:08 – 13:12]

• The Time was built from Jam’s band, Flight Time.

• Prince gave Morris Day a choice: money or a record deal. Morris took the deal, recruited Flight Time (without original singer Alexander O’Neal).

• Alexander O'Neal famously talked his way out of the gig; Prince was direct and decisive.

• Opening for Prince fostered fierce competition. Prince, demanding perfection, sometimes avoided playing big markets (NY, LA) with The Time for fear of being upstaged.

• Notable quote:

  “It was like he created Frankenstein… Oh no, we’re gonna try to kick his ass, you know, and we did.” – Jimmy Jam [11:47]

• Prince’s work ethic: Outworked everyone, rehearsed multiple bands for hours, then created hits all night.

• Notable quote:

  “He already had more talent than everybody...but then he also outworked everybody.” – Jimmy Jam [12:36]

4. The Real Prince: Beyond the Mystique

[14:35 – 16:07]

• Jeff asks what people might not know about Prince.
• Jimmy Jam answers:
  • "There was nothing other than music."
  • Prince’s only other passion: Basketball. Great handles, super competitive, and loved trick shots.
  • The legendary “Prince can ball” stories (validated by the iconic Chappelle’s Show skit) are true.
• Notable quote:

  “There was nothing other than music.” – Jimmy Jam [14:47]
  “He could ball... He was close to the ground, had those good handles.” – Jimmy Jam [15:58]

5. First Jobs & "Almost a Jobber"

[16:07 – 18:39]

• Jimmy Jam held several jobs outside music:
  • Changed light bulbs at his dad’s company (“great pay, totally wasting my time”).
  • Seasonal toy department gig—sold out remote control cars by demoing them.
  • Learned what he didn’t want to do; music was always “the thing”.
• Dream job as a kid: Wanted to be a pilot (strong aviation interest from his dad).
• Started professional music at age 12, dropped out of high school to focus on music (with his mother’s blessing).
• Notable quote:

  “Once the music bug hit me… I just knew music. I didn’t know whether...record production or songwriting, but I just knew that it would have to involve music.” [17:47]

6. The Big Break: Getting "Freed" by Prince

[20:21 – 22:20]

• Pivotal moment: Fired (“freed”) by Prince after disobeying his directive not to produce other bands (producing SOS Band).
• This led directly to Jam & Lewis’s production career, beginning with the smash “Just Be Good to Me” by the SOS Band.
• Notable quote:

  “The snowstorm in Atlanta would probably be the pivotal moment… It was the worst day of our lives, as it was happening… And then the result…was us getting fired, which then led to our 40+ year career.” – Jimmy Jam [20:33]
  “As my pretty partner likes to say, freed.” – Jimmy Jam [22:27]

7. What’s Next for Jam & Lewis

[22:27 – 25:20]

• Focusing on “things we haven’t done”:
  • Playing their catalog live (recently in Japan, Minneapolis; aiming for U.S. dates/festivals).
  • Venturing into documentary filmmaking:
    • Executive produced a Curtis Mayfield doc, directed by H.E.R.
    • Jam & Lewis documentary in the works.
    • Announced they’ll direct the first documentary on Gamble & Huff and Tom Bell (the Mighty Three)—their “directorial debut”.
• Notable quote:

  “We just want to do things that we haven’t done yet and explore… story-telling really interests us.” – Jimmy Jam [24:23]

8. The 100 Billion Meals Initiative & “Next Verse” Event

[26:05 – 30:24]

• To mark 40 years since We Are the World and Live Aid, aiming to fight global hunger on a bigger scale.
• Tony Robbins’ “100 Billion Meals Challenge” led to the idea of an interactive, evolving song: “Next Verse.”
  • Upcoming in-theater/virtual recording session: Artists around the world, live and via Zoom, will participate.
  • Participants (general public included) can add their own verses, covers, or spoken word—leveraging today’s interactive, social media-driven culture.
  • $10 donation gets you Zoom session access; higher levels for monthly support.
• Notable quote:

  “There’s something about the alignment of music in not only raising funds… but also in raising spirits… mental health is important.” – Jimmy Jam [26:08]
  “People don’t want to watch the game, they want to be in the game, on the field. This gives people a chance to do it.” – Jimmy Jam [28:25]

9. Dream Collaborations

[31:10 – 32:10]

• After working with countless legends, who’s left?
  • Jimmy Jam: “Sade is top of my list.”
  • Terry Lewis: Janelle Monae (who may join the 100 Billion Meals project).
• Notable quote:

  “I’ve been saying for probably the last 20 years, Sade is top of my list.” – Jimmy Jam [31:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That kind of mistake was the thing that really changed the way I think that record sounded…” – Jimmy Jam [07:37]
• “[Prince] already had more talent than everybody, but then he also outworked everybody.” – Jimmy Jam [12:36]
• “He could ball… He was close to the ground, had those good handles.” – Jimmy Jam [15:58]
• “Once the music bug hit me… I just knew music.” – Jimmy Jam [17:47]
• "As my pretty partner likes to say, freed." – Jimmy Jam [22:27]
• “People don’t want to watch the game, they want to be in the game…” – Jimmy Jam [28:25]
• Dream collab: “Sade is top of my list.” – Jimmy Jam [31:13]

Important Timestamps

• 06:20: Story of the “pegging the red” studio mistake
• 08:20: Meeting Prince in junior high, early Minneapolis band days
• 10:51: Formation & rivalry of The Time
• 12:36: Prince’s work ethic
• 14:47: The real Prince (“nothing other than music”/basketball)
• 16:18: Jimmy Jam’s first jobs outside of music
• 17:47: Early ambitions & music’s pull
• 20:33: Pivotal moment: fired by Prince, birth of Jam & Lewis as producers
• 22:57: Current/future projects: touring, documentaries
• 26:05: The “Next Verse”/100 Billion Meals charity project
• 31:10: Dream collaborations still on the wish list

Overall Tone and Energy

Jeff Zito is enthusiastic, nostalgic, and expresses genuine admiration for Jimmy Jam. Jimmy Jam is warm, down-to-earth, and candid, sharing both music-geek details and big-picture reflections with humility and humor. The conversation is peppered with stories, life lessons, and deep respect for the craft and community of music.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is essential for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes of pop/R&B history, the DNA of the Minneapolis sound, or the career-shaping turning points that define creative legends. Jimmy Jam’s journey underscores the value of mentorship, hard work, resilience, and staying true to your passion. The episode also spotlights how today’s music legends are finding ways to use their platforms for social good, inviting fans to participate and make a difference.

For more on the 100 Billion Meals "Next Verse" event:
Visit 100billionmeals.org

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