It doesn't come as a big shock to find out Jeff Timmons, the founding member of R&B/Pop male group 98 Degrees is doing a solo project.  We've seen almost as many solo ventures this year as 1997 has seen boy bands.  However, when we say Jeff is doing a solo project--that's exactly what it is.  The release of Jeff's solo album Whisper That Way is more than a record, more than a solo try-out and definitely more than a record company pushing an artist.

Jeff is taking a much different approach to his album than any already established artist.  He didn't record the album in some huge recording studio with Universal Records backing it up financially and with tons of promotion.  Instead, Jeff recorded Whisper That Way in his private studio with a very small and intimate team of producers and musicians. There was absolutely no record company influence or any other forces that would normally tear an artist and their creative ideas apart.

So what made Jeff make the decision to do this album all on his own?  "I've had that experience of being in a group on a major label and it was great and everything, but the creative control is somewhat limited.  I had a lot of stuff that I wanted to write about and sing about and I also wanted to do the production.  That's something that I've really been trying to do.  So I offered to kind of do it on my own." Jeff explains.  And that he did.  Not only did Jeff write and produce the album, but he also did the vocal arrangement on all the songs as well as play some of the instrumentation on each track.

Of course Jeff loved the creative freedom he had with this album and compares the difference between recording with 98 Degrees and on his own.  "Sometimes it's hard being in a group.  You're one of four and you know everyone else has their opinion and it's kind of like a democracy.  You can't get your vibe out there in a group.  Each of us have our individual vibe for different kinds of music we like to sing and to put out there and [freedom] feels great!"

Since Jeff is basically working without a staff, he's taking a grass roots approach to promotion.  Jeff has already started visiting various radio stations to put himself and the album out there as well as using the resources he already has in the business.

On top of visiting different media outlets, Jeff wants to bring everything back to the people that are important--his fans.  Starting in mid-October Jeff will be touring across the country visiting malls and schools to get up-close & personal with the fans.

Personal is what Jeff is all about.  From songs like "Thinking Of You" and the lullaby-sound of "Baby J", which are about Jeff's children to intimate songs "Stay With Me" and "Be The One", the album sets the tone of his life.  "I hope the album is something different--it's basically a diary on disc about music that has to do with my life." Jeff says discussing the material of the album.  "It's got a mature feel and there's something on there for every age group."

Besides Jeff's promotional tour, he's also heading out on the road with Jim Brickman for his Christmas tour.  Though Jeff is excited about both tours, being on the road also means sacrificing a lot as well.  It's no secret that Jeff is a family man with a wife, Trish and two children, Alyssa, 4 and Jeffrey (Baby J), 2.  How does Jeff handle traveling when his family is back home?  "I'm just going to have to on my days off fly home because it's tough bringing two little ones on the road, city to city and different hotels." Jeff talks about the hardships bringing his family on the road with him.  "It's not a very stable environment for kids to be in.  So we'll just have to make it work the best we can."

Jeff is obviously a very proud father and loving husband.  If he had to pick out the most personal songs on the album, though each song is close to his heart, but even more so are the songs about his children.  Jeff also goes on to say the entertainment industry has affected him positively as a father in appreciating his family more.  "I'm blessed to have wonderful kids.  They're very close to me and you know we have a great time.  I think being in the entertainment business makes it all that more special to me.  When I am away, it makes me want to get back home and to nurture my kids and be there for them."

Back to Jeff's CD, Whisper That Way can only be described as organic, intimate and endearing.  Starting the album off with the fun R&B beat of "Favorite Star" to the romantic title track "Whisper That Way" and of course capping it all off with the track that just seems to stand out, "Baby J", Jeff discusses falling in and out of love, the miracle of birth and a not-so-innocent seductress in "Angel Eyes".

Besides being extremely talented and inspirational in his solo effort, there's so much more to say about Jeff Timmons as both an artist and a person.  He's polite and a conversationalist for one thing, but most importantly, he's grateful and humble.  When asked how he along with the rest of 98 Degrees maintains such a level of humility, Jeff mostly reflected back on his upbringing in Ohio.  "We know where we came from, that's for sure.  We weren't always these heartthrob guys.  We had our troubles even getting dates back in the day, you know?" He laughs.  "All you gotta do is sit back and say, 'Okay, remember about four years ago or five years ago or ten years ago and you couldn't get dates?'  I think that keeps you in perspective and I think it's just about how you're raised.  My parents raised me to treat people as you want to be treated.  I don't think because I'm on TV or because I sing for a living it makes me any better than anyone else."

Though Jeff stays grounded, he admits to being proud of the album, which he should be.  Most artists are afraid to take chances and once they get too big, they don't want to come back down.  Jeff is willing to start at the beginning and meet his faithful fans as well as recruit some brand new ones.  "It's all my own stuff so I'm proud of it.  I'm not embarrassed to put it out there.  I think people can relate to reality.  I think we have enough shows on television that are so-called reality shows that are scripted that people are watching it and it might seem realistic, but everyone knows that's not how life is." Jeff states before continuing about what he hopes people will find in his album.  "This album can be there to say yeah okay, it's about relationships, it's about family, it's about relationships not always being great and man, I can relate to that and the guy's doing it by himself, he produced it and he wrote everything, so it's gotta be his stuff."

Whisper That Way is a refreshing and natural album, especially nowadays with music that's overproduced and not very meaningful.  If you're looking for something real from someone with pure talent and true heart, Jeff Timmons is someone to definitely give a listen to. 
 

*The album can be purchased through www.jefftimmons.com as well as live shows and certain store locations.  Lyrics, clips off the album and more information are also available on the website.