"Yo dawg!"
For anyone who watches American Idol -- and 28 million did its first night of the new season -- they know that expression comes from Randy Jackson who, along with Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell complete the judge's panel on TV's most popular music talent contest.
He's taken his signature greeting and written a book titled, "What's Up, Dawg? How to Become a Superstar in the Music Business," with K.C. Baker, an entertainment correspondent with People magazine.
Jackson was online Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 11:15 a.m. ET, to discuss his book, American Idol and his amazing weight loss (100 pounds) which was a featured cover story in People magazine.
Jackson is a Grammy Award-winning record producer, songwriter and musician and has worked with some of the biggest stars in the music business, including *NSync, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen. He has also risen to the top of the executive ladder as vice president of A&R (Artists and Repertoire) at Columbia Records followed by four years as a senior v.p. at MCA.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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Randy Jackson: I'm happy to be here. The dawg is in the house.
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washingtonpost.com:
Randy Jackson, welcome to washingtonpost.com. We're glad to have you with us, dawg. So now you're a writer. What made you do the book?
Randy Jackson: People have been coming up to me for years asking for my advice on their careers -- either beginning their careers or their careers have stalled -- so I figured it was time to really try and write a book that really, really could spell it out for people. Like no other book in the music industry does. There's no other book like this.
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Annapolis, Md.:
How do you think all these awful people who have tried out this year don't realize they can't sing ...? I can't sing, but people have told me ALL my life that I can't, so I just know. How do these people not know?
Randy Jackson: It's called complete delusional behavior. Those people will never accept the fact that they can't sing. Unfortunately they're not as smart as you and I. I know a lot of people like that. Whenever you hold an open audition like Idol you get some wild ones.
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Columbia, Md.:
So, you're really from Baton Rouge? Are you an LSU fan? Geaux Tigers!
On the subject of "American Idol", one thing I like about a competing show, "Nashville Star," compared to AI, is that the competitors, for the most part, play instruments and often write their own songs. Any thoughts on this?
Randy Jackson: Yes, I am from Baton Rouge. Yes I'm an LSU fan. Geaux Tigers!
The problem with National Star for me is that we could do the same thing on Idol but I don't think most people write great songs compared to hits that they sing on our show. Faith Hill's Breathe ... I don't know anyone who's writing songs that good. That's a newcomer. That's the problem. So a bad song will always do you in, without a strong melody or lyric. The thing that makes Idol really work is that it's simple -- it's only about singing and your star potential. Not like National Star which is about your writing, your singing, your star potential, etc.
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Washington, D.C.:
The last three years the music industry has consolidated into 3-4 major record companies with no hope of major independents being able to keep up. What advice do you give in your book on how to be a superstar in the current and future climate of the music industry?
Randy Jackson: Well, thank you, first off, for your question. You should definitely read the book. I do talk in there how you should be prepared as an artist no matter what the shape of the industry is at the current or future time. It's really your personal journey and personal talent and star potential that will help you survive any business shenanigans. The music business is forever and ever changing and will continue to change until it somehow figures out a way to right itself.
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Orono, Maine:
I've read that contestants are pre-screened -- and go through several auditions -- before they ever appear in front of you, Simon, and Paula.
So ... that means that the producers are deliberately sending you singers that they know are bad, right? Do you have any idea of what to expect from a singer beforehand? Wouldn't it be easier for you if the producers simply sent the bad acts home?
Randy Jackson: What we ask for is a cross-section of the people that are screened because we want to see everything -- we don't want just the good singers -- because, you see, it's subjective. The producers will not hear what we hear. Someone who they think is terrible or not very good we may think they're actually good. A geeky kid like Clay Aiken walks in and so does not have the looks or the confidence ... We seem as though ... Oh, my God, where does voice come from ... So we want to see a cross-section of exactly what they see. So we can form our own opinions since we are the professional listeners.
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Annapolis, Md.:
Will we ever get to hear Paula sing, even if just for a moment?
Randy Jackson: I hope so.
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Washington, D.C.:
Hi Randy!
With the 3rd place finish of the rocker Belgian Idol in World Idol, do you think there is room for a rocker in the American Idol competition and perhaps, someday win as the American Idol? What do you think of Simon's all rockers are "sheep in wolves clothing" comment whenever a rock person goes on the show?
Randy Jackson: Yes, I think there's room for a rock 'n' roll person. I think that that person still has to have the criteria of a star. Star potential and an amazing voice -- not just a rock voice. I think Simon's crazy. He shouldn't be making comments like that.
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Bethesda, Md.:
Randy J,
What up, Dawg! Fashizzle my dizzle! I met you at the auditions in New York City and my name is Mike Erhart. You didn't pick me and Simon said I looked like a fruity version of Meatloaf. Anyways, wanted to tell you that I lost over 35 pounds and I'll be back again next year. At 32 years old, do you think I still have a chance make it? Can you recommend a good voice coach in the D.C. area? Thanks in advance!
Randy Jackson: Congratulations on your weight loss. I understand and know the struggle myself. Congratulations. No, you're not too old to make it if you really have what it takes. Read my book, What's Up, Dawg. It'll help people like you. Good looking out.
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Northern California:
You know that classic stereotypical image of the cold, domineering mother who forces her daughter to take acting/ballet/piano lessons practically before she can walk?
That's what your show is like -- except the kid by now has come to crave celebrity because it's what our culture seems to offer in place of genuine human/parental connection and support.
Any chance you're aware of this possibility?
Randy Jackson: I actually disagree. You have to be at least 16 to get on this show. At 16 you're almost approaching some adult semblance level. So I think everyone wants to be famous and everyone wants to be heard. If you pull back the covers, what this show really offers is the greatest option in a long time to come in on Idol or try to go through the juggernaut of the record companies and try to be heard. So I think this presents a very good opportunity for people who would never have gotten record deals. I.e., Kelly, Ruben nor Clay probably would have never gotten record deals had it not been for Idol. And those three are not kids who's parents dragged them out to very audition, etc. Not the case of which you speak.
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Arlington, Va.:
One of the female contestants in the most recent auditions seemed to be flirting with you, saying not to lose more weight and one of the males sang "you are so beautiful to me" to you. Is this playing up to you OK?
Randy Jackson: I think contestants come in and try to do whatever they can to play up to the judges. It never works. It's all about the talent and the star potential.
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Herndon, Va.:
How 'bout a super bowl prediction?
Randy Jackson: New England all the way.
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Seattle, Wash.:
Any chance that you can get Ryan to congratulate Kelly and Justin on their nomination for Razzies as worst actor and actress for their move that collected a whopping 8 Razzie nominations?
Who was smoking what to come up with that stinker of an idea?
Randy Jackson: I don't know but I agree with you. But Kelly is still a great talent and she will go on.
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Washington, D.C.:
Randy, as a producer, how can you shop your music around in the industry when most of the time people in the industry past on your music?
Randy Jackson: First of all, you should buy the book, What's Up, Dawg?, it will help you understand and shed some insight as to how. One of the biggest misconceptions that people have is yes, music is an art, but you are in the business of selling. I don't care if you think your music or your stuff is unbelievable, it only matters what the consumer thinks. If they don't buy it, you gotta go back and rework it.
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Columbia, Md.:
Your weight loss success, what diet did you use and how long it took you to loose 100 pounds? You look great! Spread the word, dawg!!
Randy Jackson: Thank you, thank you so, so much. I appreciate the love. I actually had gastric bypass surgery. I had the Dr. Fobi method and I've lost about 106 pounds now and counting.
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Admiring in Alexandria, Va.:
Randy
You are the show's best asset. You're keepin' it real and yet not looking like a jerk.
Do you feel like you have to be something in between Paula and Simon, the two ends of the criticism spectrum, or are you just being yourself?
Thanks.
P.S. love the goggles.
Randy Jackson: Good looking out. Thank you so much. I have always just wanted to be me. So I'm just trying to keep it real the only way I know how.
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Provo, Utah:
Any thoughts on the plight of that other famous movie industry Jackson, Michael?
Randy Jackson: Obviously Michael has lost his way quite a bit. Hope that at some point he finds himself.
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Washington, D.C.:
So did you catch the SNL spoof of American Idol, where the premise was that current stars (Madonna, J.Lo, the guy from Creed) who can't sing very well will compete?
How many of today's stars do you see out there and think, "They would never make it on my show!"
Randy Jackson: Probably most of them. Most of today's stars probably wouldn't make it. It think Britney would do well, Justin would do well, Christina, Pink, Beyonce. Good Charlotte would do well, but I think it's like anything else, most of them really don't have the talent to do something like this.
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Dulles, Va.:
Way to do your thing, Dawg. Do expect this year's 10 finalists to be better than last year's 10? Once the Clay-love started, it was pretty much a two-man race throughout the last seven or so shows. Do you expect more competition this year?
Randy Jackson: Hoping. I'm hoping definitely that there's more competition.
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Washington, D.C.:
Are there any plans for an American Idol competition for the "older" set? ... We can sing and we have presence too.
Randy Jackson: I don't think there are any plans thus far but there may be some plans -- not from Idol -- but maybe some other people.
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Rockville, Md.:
Hi Randy,
I don't have any musical talent so I would never try out for American Idol, but I do feel I have an ear for music. How can I land a job in the music industry? I already have an internship and would like a full-time job. I want to move up to NYC and work!
Randy Jackson: Find an artist that can be the next star and try and get them signed because people won't know about your ear unless you find something amazingly great for them to listen to.
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Randy Jackson: Thank you so much for having me. Thanks for all the questions. See you on the air tonight. Fox.
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