Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Gouche.
Hi Jackie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born into a musical family. My mother grew up playing piano and singing in church and later traveled the world as a background vocalist. Music was the centerpiece in our home. My older brother, Andrew Gouche is one of the greatest bass players in the world. His credits include Prince, Chaka Kahn, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, and a host of others. I began my musical career as a PTL Singer on the Jim and Tammy Faye Baker show in 1981 and eventually followed in my mother’s footsteps as a background singer, with a little help from my brother. I also played piano and sang in church, which is where I met my husband. We were married in early 1984 and immediately had our three sons…within three years. I was unaware of my husband’s struggle with drug addiction. Unfortunately, his addiction eventually became mine. Between 1984 and 1988, we struggled together, My husband was incarcerated, leaving me to be a single mother to our three boys for nearly 7 years.
It sounds bleak, I know. But the good part is coming!
After only one year of sobriety, I was hired as the Minister of Music at a local church. Not only did this job provide me with the means to take care of my sons. I was also able to grow spiritually, thereby maintaining my sobriety. When my sons were toddlers, I stood them around the piano and began teaching them music theory. I taught them to play the piano and trained their little ears to become fluent in the language of music.
These three young men are now some of the greatest voices in the music world today.
My first-born, Davion Farris is recently signed to Def Jam Records and his music is featured on the television show “The Chi”.
Daniel “D-Smoke” Farris, my second son, is the winner of the Netflix rap competition, “Rhythm & Flow” which featured judges Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I. He won the $200,000 prize and instantly gained international acclaim. He received a Grammy nomination for his 2020 release “Black Habits”.
My youngest son “SIR” Darryl Farris (aka Inglewood SIR) is signed to TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment). His music video “Hair Down” garnered more than thirty-five million views.
In my recent book entitled “Raising Kings” I share how I was able to overcome the addiction and the lessons I learned in the process of successfully raise my three sons,
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
After serving nearly seven-year sentence, my husband came home and became “Super-dad”. Though we were able to raise three amazing human beings, our relationship was anything but amazing.
We’ve been married and divorced three times. Our focus was always the boys. Neither of us possessed the skills necessary to navigate a marriage. We didn’t know how to communicate effectively with one another. No one ever taught us how to manage money.
We did a great job at parenting because both of us wanted our children to have a better childhood than we did. But our marriage was like a stillborn child.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have had a wonderful career in music. I have sung either in studios or on stage with Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Sir Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Kahn, Tina Turner (movie soundtrack to “What’s Love Got To Do With It), Ricky Martin, Bobby Caldwell, Billy Joel, and many others. I have traveled to six of the seven continents, doing what I LOVE to do!!
For thirty-four years, I have also had the privilege of playing, singing and being the head of the music department of the same church that hired me when I was a young, single mother.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The pandemic taught me to value EVERYTHING more! We take so much for granted, but Covid reminded us that it can all be taken away in an instant.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Jackiegouche.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jgouche/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackiegouche
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-gouche-2323a743/
