Jimmy Jam: The Prince Years, the Janet Era, and the Making of a Legacy

During this holiday season, Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas continues its focus on giving back, and this week we’re honored to welcome legendary songwriter, producer, and philanthropist Jimmy Jam. This marks the second week in a row where we’re spotlighting guests connected to charitable causes that make a real difference during the holidays.

Jimmy joins Gentry to promote 100 Billion Meals, a global initiative working to fight hunger and food insecurity around the world. The mission is simple but powerful: provide meals to communities in need and help ensure that families don’t go hungry—especially during the holiday season.
Learn more or get involved here: https://www.100billionmeals.org/

Beyond philanthropy, the conversation dives deep into music history and creativity. Jimmy shares stories from his early days auditing tracks for Prince, and reflects on his legendary collaborations with Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson—including how trust, chemistry, and musical instinct helped shape some of the most iconic records of all time.

He also opens up about his favorite chord progressions, how emotion drives great songwriting, and his thoughtful perspective on AI and the future of music—what excites him, what concerns him, and how technology should serve creativity rather than replace it.

This episode blends generosity, legacy, and innovation—making it a perfect listen during the holidays and beyond.

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With his cool, laid-back interview style, Gentry gets his guests to open up about the defining moments of their lives and career, from their biggest failures and toughest setbacks to the hard work, determination, and unexpected breaks that helped them rise to the top.

These aren’t ordinary celebrity interviews. Each episode goes beyond the headlines to reveal the real people behind the fame, the lessons they learned along the way, and the unforgettable stories that happened when the cameras weren’t rolling.

COME FOR THE FAMOUS NAMES. STAY FOR THE STORIES. GO BACKSTAGE WITH GENTRY THOMAS.