"I wasn't sure who she was.  But then she arrived on my doorstep and said that she was going to stalk me until I agreed to work with her. Everyone's going to be so surprised! She's a great soul singer!"

-MEREDITH BROOKS
talking about Jennifer Love Hewitt

BUT DESPITE THIS ACTING THING, THERE WAS ALWAYS HER FIRST LOVE....

On August 2, 2001, Jennifer Love Hewitt signed a new record deal with JIVE RECORDS (recording artists includes *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Michael Bolton, etc., etc.), a division of the Zomba Recording Corporation (under the BMG Music banner known as the German conglomerate, BERTELSMANN AG). The name of the CD is

"BARENAKED"
Click the title for the lyrics and snip it of the song

Love was followed and asked by Zomba's founding members Clive Calder and Barry Weiss to sign with their JIVE label in the year 2000. But Love was afraid the label was going to do it 'their' way in planning Love's new CD. Love's answer was a flat out "no".

One year later, Calder and Weiss gave in on Love's demands in what kind of music she wants to write and record. Rock and rhythm and blues. And of course.....she wanted creative control. HER WAY!

She also signed with the music management company: HANDPRINT ENTERTAINMENT managed and founded by David Guillod and Jeff Norskog. Prior to the USA release of "BareNaked", Guillod left the company. But not even a dent to could stop her first love.

Now that the songs for "BareNaked" were being planned, Jennifer Love Hewitt was looking for a record producer-----a hero, a role model, a big sister and a best friend. Hewitt found someone in singer/songwriter/producer MEREDTH BROOKS.

Brooks co-wrote the songs with Hewitt, and other established composers (including singer/songwriter: BRIAN McKNIGHT). In starting off with a Brooks composed melody, Hewitt would take the melody and go futher into her life of a 23 year-old woman. Brooks wanted Hewitt to open the doors wide open and reveal the past, today, and the future, in her music and lyrics.

"BareNaked" is for all of us who have had embarrassing moments.  It's about embracing the dorky side."

-JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT

On one of the tracks there's a tribute to Janis Joplin....a voice of feelings and honesty. Love recorded a remake of the Joplin classic, "Me & Bobby McGee" composed by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster with only one instrument on that recording next to Love's perfect pitch voice. 'Hand Drums'....performed by Chris "Flash" Canute. This suggestion was a dedication to her brother, Todd. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Meredith Brooks has given 'classic rock' a second breath of fresh air. Thanks, Dr. H.

The title song was the first single, and has received constant radio air play since July 1, 2002. The album was released on October 8, 2002 after three date changes due to the fact that Jive Records was not pleased with the results from 'their' point of view. Jive Records and i-Squad, a website to promote new recording artists, request more action from Jennifer Love Hewitt fans. The record label and website's requests were limited to their presentation. But the Love fans settled for radio airplay, instead. Jive Records has suggested to remain on their own plans no matter what...despite AOL Music was pleased with the "BareNaked" music video being the most downloaded video---1.4 million downloads on August 1, 2002 in the history of AOL Music.

FOLLOWING SINGLES RELEASED

"WHERE YOU
GONNA RUN TO?"
WEBMASTER FAVE - September 1, 2003
Click the title for the lyrics and snip it of the song

"HEY EVERYBODY"
3rd Single release Early 2003
Click the title for the lyrics and snip it of the song

"CAN I GO NOW"
2nd Single release Late 2002
Click the title for the lyrics and snip it of the song

"BARENAKED"
1st Single release Mid 2002
Click the title for the lyrics and snip it of the song

"I don't go and dance. I don't do all of that stuff. My music is meant for people to just sit in a small room and listen to and feel passionate about. And I've been asked what's my favorite song from this album. Well they're all like children to me. I was with them from the moment they were born."

-JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT

As for Love, she returned the thanks to Meredith by contributing additional background vocals to a track titled: "PLEASURE" composed by Meredith Brooks for the May 21, 2002 release of Meredith Brooks' CD:

"BAD BAD ONE"

And click the banner below to visit Meredith's official website:

But things have an ending.

Like the ending of Love and Warner Bros. Records, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jive Records are 'no longer'. BMG and Zomba will continue selling the "BareNaked" CDs and DVD.

Business and life are as usual, but there's always that second chance for first love. Jennifer Love Hewitt and BMG Music will give it another try in the future, or it might be Warner Bros. or any other record label. Music will go on and Love will always go on. Jennifer Love Hewitt takes her music, seriously. There's no stopping her, and her fans are happy to be in her world full of songs.

"It's very hard for me to continue making records when there are people that aren't taking them seriously because I'm an actor.  And it's only hard because music means so much for me, and I really wanted to do well.  But I don't want to continue making records that people aren't going to hear. As much as it is a passion of mine, I do it because I want people to hear it.  And so, I feel like I need to take a break and figure out a way I can get people to listen to it.  I know that the people who do listen to it like it.  And they think I've got a good voice.  And I was able to go out with the record and prove what I wanted to prove, which is that I could sing.  I'm not doing music that is attached to my movies.  I don't go and dance.  I don't do all that stuff.  My music is meant for people to just sit in a small room and listen to and feel passionate about." 

-JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT

Even the producer/singer/songwriter had bad ones. Gold Circle Records which financed the "BAD BAD ONE" recordings folded and Brooks was out with a label. Two years later on September 21, 2004, Savoy Jazz Records came to the rescue and bought the rights to the album.

The new record company suggested along with Dr. Phil McGraw of the "DR. PHIL" show that the title of the album should be titled "SHINE"---which was the first single from the former "BAD BAD ONE" album. Everything is the same on the Brooks album including "PLEASURE" and Jennifer Love Hewitt. This is to coincide with the 2004/2005 TV season of "DR. PHIL" show.

"SHINE"
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