How Atlanta launched the careers of music duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

In the winter of 1983, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were members of Prince’s protégé band, The Time, and wanted to do more.

They started to write and record demos. Their music caught the attention of late record executive Clarence Avant, who asked the Minneapolis natives to go to Atlanta while on break from touring to work with R&B group The S.O.S. Band.

They recorded at Mastersound Studios, where they wrote and experimented with electronic instruments. That session turned into the funky “Just Be Good to Me,” which became their first hit with The S.O.S Band.

It gave them confidence to stand on their own.

“They didn’t push back on anything. We were in our early 20s telling grown people how to play a part and watching a young Jermaine Dupri running around the studio. Terry and I shook hands and just said 50/50 regardless of who does what on any song,” Jam said.

Mary Davis, The S.O.S. Band’s original lead vocalist, said the novice producers encouraged them to explore their musical range.

“Some producers want you to do a song exactly the way they want it done, but we were so tight and had musicians that could play different types of music. They allowed us to be ourselves,” Davis said.

A snowstorm left them stranded in Atlanta and caused Jam and Lewis to miss a gig. Prince fined the two for it.

He eventually fired Jam and Lewis from the band after he found out they produced music for The S.O.S. Band.

But Jam and Lewis don’t perceive it as losing a job. Lewis said it pushed them to be self-sufficient.

“We didn’t get fired from The Time. We got freed from The Time to pursue our legacy,” Lewis said.

Forty-two years later, Jam and Lewis are returning to the city where their producing careers started. The Grammy-winning duo is hosting and performing at an anniversary concert at VyStar Amphitheater in Stockbridge on Saturday.

Morris Day, Yolanda Adams and Cherrelle are among the artists performing some of Jam and Lewis’ signature tunes and some of the producers’ personal favorites. The pair will also share backstories behind those songs.

Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. (Courtesy of Flyte Tyme Productions)

Jam said it’s their way of expressing appreciation for their success.

“We’re throwing our own birthday party where we’re onstage playing. We worked with some people that were very accepting of the concepts we were bringing. It’s a chance for us to say thank you to the artists that allowed us to have our careers. It’s going to be a celebration like no other,” Jam said.

“We’ve done a whole lot of things, but we thought about what we haven’t done but still want to do, which is play our catalog live.”

In October, Jam and Lewis are receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Living Legends Foundation. The nonprofit, which acknowledges and provides support to Black music and radio professionals, is having its first gala in Atlanta after 34 years of operation.

The award is named after Ray Harris, a promotions executive at Solar Records. Lewis said Harris was an active supporter of their music early in their careers.

“It’s special because he was one of the first guys that worked any of our records when we first started,” Lewis said.

David Linton, Living Legends Foundation chairman, met Jam and Lewis as a record executive at Reprise Records when The Time reunited in 1990.

He noticed their passion for music and developing talent.

“They don’t just look at this as a job. They try to steer artists in the right direction so that they can have longevity,” Linton said.

Living Legends Foundation chairman David Linton; Jimmy Jam; board officer Pat Shields; board member Colleen Wilson; David's wife, Elnore Linton; and Terry Lewis pose at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville in 2021. (Courtesy of Pat Shields)

They produced hit records for Cheryl Lynn, Janet Jackson, The Human League, New Edition, Usher and others. They started their own production company, Flyte Tyme Productions, and a record label, Perspective Records.

They figured out their method to bring out the collaborators’ strengths.

Jam said their approach to making music is getting to know the artists to customize music to fit their personality and experiences.

“We wanted to give different sounds to each artist, figure out what they can do best, and convince the record companies to trust us,” Jam said.

“We just find the space where we fit in and problem solve. Whoever is better at solving the problem is the producer who works on the project.”

Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis pose in front of their gold and platinum awards for songwriting and producing. (Courtesy of Flyte Tyme Productions)

Production duos in Atlanta are using Jam and Lewis’ partnership as a blueprint for their creativity.

Producer Tricky Stewart, who regularly collaborates with singer and songwriter The-Dream, said they look at Jam and Lewis as mentors.

“They always have time to answer questions, explain something or give me perspective on things I didn’t understand,” Stewart said.

Jam and Lewis are releasing a feature documentary on their career next year. They’re producing new music with singers Peabo Bryson and Kehlani and releasing the second volume of their compilation album.

The two hope what’s to come can make their fans feel the same as their past hits.

“We’ve seen a lot come and go, but it’s great when you see talented people come and stay because they have their attitudes and work ethic in check,” Lewis said.

“Music can transport us to great places, allows people to find comfort and remember the good times with things that we created.”