Bishop Joe Simon
"Spiritual Mission Around The World"

Jamsource special interview conducted by Cynthia Allen with Bishop Joe Simon.

Cynthia: First let me say welcome to Jamsource Magazine I have always loved your music and longed followed your career, it's truly a pleasure and honor to have you take time out of your busy schedule for this interview. First let me start by giving our readers a little back ground information on Bishop Joe Simon you were born in Simmesport, LA, you started singing at a young age in your father's Baptist church; a former rhythm and blues singer; received a Grammy Award in 1970 for the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance; had 3 number one hits on the US Billboard R&B chart between 1969 and 1975; in 1999 received Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation; 2006 was appointed Global Ambassador and Spiritual Adviser to the World Conference of Mayors and now holds the office as the second presiding Bishop of the Mission Consortium of Churches International in relationship with 700 islands in the Bahamas and 365,000 people. In addition, there are member churches throughout the United Kingdom, United States and Haiti. Now you are a full time minister also you have a new CD titled "I've Done Wrong Forgive Me" can you start by telling us what message do you want people to get from this CD?

Bishop Joe Simon: Yes, thank you it's my pleasure to speak with you on today, well the new CD is all about understanding and realizing that everyone has done wrong in their life and no one should never be afraid to as for forgiveness when you knowingly and unknowingly have done wrong.

Cynthia: What are you religious beliefs?

Bishop Joe Simon: I believe that there is one God, One Faith and One Baptism.

Cynthia: What made you decide to go from R&B music to Gospel music?

Bishop Joe Simon: It was my home training I was baptized and raised in the church but I was never saved, I had everything a man in life could want in a material way but it didn't fill a certain void I kept experiencing. In the mid 80's I became more and more disenfranchised with the music industry and the lifestyle that surrounded many aspects of it. I began a search to rediscover who I really was as a person; I started reading the word of God and slowly my new calling in life took form. I even wrote a song about the experience titled "Things Didn't Save Me".

Cynthia: What do you feel is the difference between the music you sing today as opposed to the songs you use to do?

Bishop Joe Simon: The message is totally different, I feel R&B music is a fantasy; songs I use to sing were morally right but spiritually wrong because it was talking about the wrong kind of love and the music I sing today is about glorifying God.

Cynthia: How do you feel about other artist sampling your music and what do you think of the music that's being played on radio today?

Bishop Joe Simon: Taking someone's kindness for weakness is just not right. I strongly disapprove of people taking advantage of others just because they can. Music is good and music is bad, but music is extremely bad and destructive when music is not used in a positive way. As a minister, I say to you, all of us should think about and imagine how our children feel when the family and the community let's them down. To play and promote provocative degrading music that rapes the minds and the hearts of our children is morally corrupt. Using lyrics that call our children and grandchildren prostitutes, the 'N' word and the 'B' word is totally disrespectful, it is ugly, negative and it is out of order, I tell you, it is also very destructive to our youth, destructive to the family and destructive to the community. We as a family and a community are suffering from this constant contagious global enemy concerning this [so-called] 'music' conduct. Billions of dollars are being made through destroying our youth and our communities."

He went on to say, "A city's economy is only as good as its infrastructure, and its infrastructure is only as good as the character of the people. When our children listen to offensive, belligerent, poisonous music it is harmful and devastating to the character, the well-being and the future of our children. When you play and promote belittling, poisonous, derogatory music it negatively affects the thought process of our children in the community, on a local, national and international basis, and just because you can market and sell rude, ill-mannered destructive music, it does not mean that it is right. Music is a powerful force, and we must address this issue in order to help society."

Cynthia: Do you feel our youth today are self destructing because of lack of leadership and role model in the home due to the fact that both parents have to work just to make ends meet?

Bishop Joe Simon: Jesus should be everyone's role model but a lot of parents aren't spiritually grounded and unless you are taught values and morals how can you teach them because knowledge is power?

Cynthia: What advice would you give to young people and upcoming artists?

Bishop Joe Simon: Seek Jesus first, be obedient and respectful.

Cynthia: Who are some of the artists you listen to?

Bishop Joe Simon: I really don't listen to a lot of music I mostly listen to Gospel talk radio.

Cynthia: What are your political views and do you think President Barack Obama is doing a good job in spite of the problems he inherited from the Bush Administration?

Bishop Joe Simon: I feel he is the best President we ever had, he is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream and if we respect the dream then we will respect him. Whenever a person or a political party does not know how to follow, then that person or that political party will never know how to lead. That is why I endorse President Obama, because he knows how to follow and he knows how to lead.

Cynthia: What are your views on pastors and preachers in relation to the messages they preach verses the lifestyles their living?

Bishop Joe Simon: I feel a preachers job is to preach thus said the Lord and if you believe and are for real in what you are preaching then you won't do the things that are contrary to God's will.

Cynthia: When your Community Crusades come to a city I understand you visit quite a few facilities in that city, tell me about that.

Bishop Joe Simon: Yes the BJSCC visits youth facilities, hospitals, nursing and retirement centers and battered women's shelters. BJSCC raises and donates money in each community visited.

Cynthia: What is something you want readers to know about you and what can people expect when they attend your Community Crusades?

Bishop Joe Simon: That I always declare that I was once lost but now I am found, if you never recognize you were lost, and then you can never be found. I am a good Christian today because I was a good sinner, Jesus is the Savior.

Cynthia: Thank you again so much for allowing Jamsource this interview it's been a pleasure talking with you. Let me close with asking where can someone find out more about Joe Simon Ministries Community Crusade and your music?

Bishop Joe Simon: For further information contact: www.bishopjoesimonministries.org
1-800-779-0247.