LIVING THE DAYDREAM

Out Singer J.R. Price Releases “Dance with Me”,  His Single with Tom Goss

>By Rafael Jenkins

J.R. Price admits he’s had a hard time connecting with Cupid’s arrow in his life. “Growing up poor, with no friends and a family who didn’t love me enough left me feeling unworthy of love,” the singer reflects. “I was gay, overweight, and never felt like I was the prettiest…”

Price explores many of his early challenges in “Daydream,” his new album that he refers to as pages from his younger self’s diary. “All of the songs are windows into very personal experiences, but I don’t tell them in a sad way. The album is mostly fun Top 40 ear candy that expresses how, even at my lowest points, I managed to hold on to the hope that this day would come, when I can finally chase my dreams on my own terms.”

Tom Goss appearing on his album is one dream fulfilled. Goss and the popular out artist team up on “Dance with Me,” an impassioned love song that JRP says was heavily influenced by Meghan Trainor’s duets with Charlie Puth and John Legend. “If people only knew what Tom Goss being on my album would have meant to my younger self,” he exclaims. “When Tom’s song ‘Bears’ came out, it changed me forever. Here was this video depicting plus sized guys through a sexy lens; wearing swimsuits, exuding power. That video made me realize that I also could be a sex object.

I could be someone’s fantasy without having to lose weight. There are guys out there that love my curves.”

He was introduced to Tom Goss through his producer, Freddy Freeman, a fellow independent artist in the gay community, best known for his song, “I’m Here, I’m Queer, & I’m Country!” JRP presented “Dance with Me” to Goss through email and was shocked when the singer replied, agreeing to record the duet. “He put his heart and soul into the song,” JRP continues. “He cared about details and depth in ways I was not expecting. ‘Dance with Me’ mattered to him. He elevated the song beyond what I even heard in my head.”

JRP’s hope is that “Dance with Me” and all the songs on the Daydream album help to inspire the next generation. “I love the fans who reach out to me from all over the world and tell me that because of my videos, they felt comfortable wearing a swimsuit at a party. I am learning that all the pain I have been through on this earth is meant for something…that it’s helping others get through their own difficult moments.”

J.R. Price experienced a rough childhood. His father was a workaholic who was never home and when he was, was emotionally unavailable. His mother was mentally, physically, and emotionally abusive. He had two older sisters–one a drug addict and another that became extremely judgmental and distant after his coming out as gay.

Neglected and dejected, J.R. turned to food as his one comfort in life, but as he grew larger, he also grew suicidal. It led to anorexia, binge eating and body dysmorphia.

Last year, he was diagnosed with hyper diabetes. Doctors warned him that he was killing himself. After being hospitalized for a week, he says he finally woke up to the true meaning of body positivity. “I found peace with my body,” he relates. “I have good days and bad days, but mostly I realize that it’s not about shape or size, it’s about owning your body how it is and really embracing it. Nothing is more attractive or valuable than confidence in oneself.”

Through exercise and dieting, J.R. has lost the weight and has, he declares, “beat the ‘betes.” In fact, he’s the healthiest he’s ever been. “And the happiest, because I’m putting my focus on my music. My hope is that the album becomes a little escape from this crazy world and provides a big inspiration to daydream!”

J.R. Price’s “Dance with Me (featuring Tom Goss)” is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms.

Follow J.R. Price on Instagram @ joshuarandalprice and Facebook @ JRPricePop. For more information, visit jrprice.org