Joss Stone was only 17 years old when she got the chance to perform with one of her idols. At the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in 2005, Stone was paired with Melissa Etheridge to perform a tribute to Janis Joplin.
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“It was literally 20 years ago. I just remember being absolutely terrified of every single thing I did at that time in my life, but I felt very honored because it was Melissa,” Stone told American Songwriter in a recent interview. “We were honoring Janis Joplin, but I wasn’t as big of a fan of Janis. I was so happy to do that, but I am a really big fan of Melissa.”
In fact, Stone’s love for Etheridge is older than she is.
I’ve listened to her since I was literally in my mother’s womb. My mom went to her concert when she was pregnant with me and she played the album over and over again. The Brave and Crazy album, I know every word to that,” Stone said of Etheridge’s 1989 release. “I’m not fan-y of many people—I think I could count the artists on one hand—but she’s one of them. I just really appreciate her artistry and her lyrics.”
Joss Stone and Melissa Etheridge’s Grammys Performance
Together, Stone, who was nominated for three Grammys that night, and Etheridge, who was undergoing treatment for chemotherapy at the time, delivered unforgettable renditions of “Cry Baby” and “Piece of My Heart.” For Stone, though, the performance was almost secondary to working with Etheridge.
“When I got to meet her, I realize how much I appreciate the type of person she is. That’s actually quite rare. Sometimes when you meet a person that you’ve loved artistically, personality-wise they let you down because you built them up,” she said. “But no, Melissa Etheridge is not a letdown. She’s such a great person. She’s very strong-willed, very loving, and she says what’s on her mind.”
Joss Stone and Melissa Etheridge Are Hitting the Road
Now, two decades later, the women are teaming up again for a co-headlining tour, which will kick off in New Jersey this April. The experience, Stone said, will be “a very special thing.”
“Ten years ago we did co-headline in Canada, just a couple dates. It was really great, really beautiful, really fun,” Stone said, before revealing what fans can expect from the “exciting, electric, and exhilarating” concert.
“I’ll do my show and then she’ll do hers, but I really hope that we get to sing together,” she said. “I am pregnant, like, pretty pregnant… You just never know what’s around the corner when you’re making people. When we booked this tour I wasn’t pregnant, so I thought, ‘Yeah, we’ll do it! We’ll sing the duet.’ And now I’m like, ‘Oh God, I hope I can do it.’”
Joss Stone’s Solo Show
Before her time on the road with Etheridge, Stone will be playing eight solo shows at intimate venues across the US on the Less Is More Tour.
“I wanted to do something calm for once,” Stone quipped. “I have this thing where I just wanna make sure that people are having a lovely time. I don’t wanna keep serving up the same meal. I want it to be different.”
Those shows will kick off Feb. 12 in Nashville.
“There will be no full band, no keys, no drums, no bass. It will be voices, the guitar, and a cello, which I think it’s just such a special thing,” she said. “I thought if I have a massive venue, that’s that’s gonna take away the intimacy of it. This is all about just making it a beautiful experience. That’s the whole point of every decision.”
Leaving those performances, Stone said she hopes fans will feel “uplifted.”
“I’m trying to create a warm hug for people. I hope I can do that,” she said. “I’ll share some stories. I hope they feel comforted, ’cause that’s what music is, and have a lovely love-filled time. I don’t want any negativity. I just want it to be nice.”
All that touring doesn’t mean new music is out of reach, though it won’t come in the form of an LP this year.
“I think I might just go in and cut three songs and release them each month or something. Just so people can have some new songs, and then we can play some new songs in the shows,” she said. “I think it’s important. You’ve got to breathe life into it.”
Photo by L. Cohen/WireImage for The Recording Academy
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