Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Cruz Magness.
Hi Julia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Austin Texas and grew up immersed in music. I sang in theater and choir but I never thought about being in a band. I just knew I loved listening to music. People who heard me singing to the radio or singing randomly to myself would encourage me to sing but I didn’t really have the urge or opportunity. My uncle Stuart Magness was a singer, songwriter and his neighbor had a home studio. He asked if I wanted to record a song, I said why not!? I recorded Trust in Me (Etta James Version). My uncle heard me singing and asked me to sing all of his songs. I said I would and then he died unexpectedly. I sang at his funeral and from there it snowballed. His friends heard me singing and invited me to sit in with them and to open mics. I slowly got more and more into the music scene with the encouragement of musicians I crossed paths with. Jason Moeller, Sean Pitman. Gary Clark Jr.,James Bullard, Paul Webb, Matt Farrell, Natalie Zoe, Gary P. Nunn, Alan Haynes, W.C. Clark and Nick Curren are just a handful of people who really gave me confidence and accepted me right away.
My big break came when I attended a gospel brunch at Threadgills in Austin TX with my mom. My mom, always being my biggest supporter, told one of the members on the Original Bells of Joy that I was a great singer. I was so embarrassed. Later in the show they passed the microphone around the audience and it ender with me. I sang and they pretty much adopted me. It wasn’t immediate but they invited me up on stage anytime I came to see them. Later on they made me an official member and I sang with them for over a decade until the pandemic hit. They were significant in that they were the first black gospel group to sell a million copies of a song ‘Talk about Jesus’.
https://www.texasmusicmuseum.org/current-exhibits/the-contributions-of-east-austin-african-american-musicians-to-texas-music/gospel-music-from-austins-east-side/the-bells-of-joy/
http://www.eastendculturaldistrict.org/cms/religion-faith/east-end-stories-lets-talk-about-bells-joy-and-lavada-durst
The Bells of Joy taught me how to be a real singer and how to sing harmony. They were some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I miss them everyday. Almost all of them have passed away except Willis Littlefield and JT Stewart.
I moved to Memphis in 2016 and joined the Tennessee Mass Choir in 2017. I sang with them until 2025. I was encouraged by Curtis ‘Big Pappa’ Jones to sing when he invited me to sing with him at the Peabody Hotel Corner Bar. I have been doing that now for almost 2 years every Friday from 4-7pm. I have sing regularly at the Gold Strike Casino, Southland Casino and now Moonshine. I also play for Creative aging. I am so thankful to all the people who have hired me and beloved in me. I also regularly perform at Bog & Barly and at weddings thanks to Adam “Heart” Levin. When you surround yourself with good people, you meet more good people. I feel so blessed.
Curtis Jones, Henry Booker, T Jarrod Bonta, Manny Zepeda, Adam Heart & Gerald Stephens have been my main piano accompaniment in the last 2 years. I also have a full band. Jeremy Williams on drums, Charlton Johnson on Guitar and Khari Wynn on Bass. Charmaine Tyrell also sings with me when I am fortunate enough to have him.
I have an album coming out soon recorded at Royal Studios, produced by Boo Mitchell featuring the High Rhythm section, Isaiah Sharkey and many more amazing musicians. It has originals, and songs that my late uncle Stu wrote. I am keeping my word and singing his songs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Its a struggle to get booked to get paid when you are starting out. I want to pay my musicians. I came out of my pocket in the beginning. It is still a struggle to find reliable musicians. I have had people not show up to shows or quit the night before a show. I am so thankful for everyone who I play with now. They are professionals. Other struggles are scheduling and learning material. I had to really study hard since I didn’t start playing live until I was in my 30s. I want to thank Darryl at The Rock n Roll Cafe for really encouraging me and giving me a place to play when I first stared out as a solo artist. I am sad that they closed down. That is another obstacle. So many great places close down due to rising costs for real estate and taxes. The historic Threadgills where Janis Joplin go her start and where we played, closed down recently in Austin. Its sad.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to being in music, I have a biology degree fro the University of Texas at Austin and was a paramedic, restaurant owner and sports massage therapist in Texas.
I have been in Real Estate since 1996. I remodeled and flipped houses in Austin Texas and now I do that here. I am also in property management so I am on call 24/7. I am dealing with a busted pipe in a condo ceiling this very moment! I am a very compassionate and fair landlord. I respect my tenants and want to provide a nice living environment for them.
I am in the Junior League, the captain of a tennis team, a dog rescuer and I am on the Board of the Blues foundation.
https://blues.org/about/#mission
Managing real estate, managing a band and managing a tennis team are very similar. It is about relationships. I am most proud of the friends I have made and the people and animals I have helped along the way.
What does success mean to you?
No stress equals success. Waking up and playing tennis or having coffee with a friend or my dogs on the porch is all the success I need. I am getting to enjoy my life on my terms. I have to work hard but I love what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://Juliasblues.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliamagnessmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaMagnessMusic
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/julia-magness/640673013
