Maneca Lightner, The lovely and curvaceous 5′3 cover-girl for Prince’s Madhouse jazz-fusion project

TPS: Just curious, was the doggie on the covers yours?

ML: No, that was a trained puppy, but still those shoots went on forever. While on the set, he’d crawl into the car and  fall asleep or play. But I had alot of fun and he was a sweet puppy.

TPS: Had you done any modeling prior to those covers?

ML: No. I wasn’t really interested in being a model. I met Prince when I lived in Denver. I was only 16, and he was at a record signing. Two years later, we met again and I was wearing a polka-dot outfit that he really liked – that’s why all the outfits I wear on the album covers have polka dots on them. Three years later I got a call from him asking if I was interested in being the cover model for a jazz album he was putting together.  We shot three covers and two videos.  It was big fun!! We dated off and on for some time–unfortunately, I didn’t have any talent he could tap into & develop.  I didn’t dance, sing or play any music instruments.

TPS: Did you have any offers to model after that?

ML: Yes, but Prince wanted me to represent only the Madhouse projects. I didn’t really want to be a model anyway. I didn’t like the feeling of having to look perfect every time I stepped out of the house. People want you to look exactly like your photos and that’s simply not realistic. Fortunately, I had a talent at the business side of the music industry.  I knew there was something I was good at! HAHAHA!

TPS: So what have you been up to since then?

ML: Well, I worked for sometime with different record labels, all on the business
 side of things. I worked with Warner Brothers, Virgin, and others. I then opened a talent agency for Musicians and Singers with a partner. We were in business for seven years working with artists like Pink, Christina Aguillera, Destiny’s Child and many more! I still work on certain music events every now and then, but for the past two years I’ve been working in Real Estate and I’m now finishing up a book I’m writing with my best friend, on love and relationships.

TPS: What’s the name of the book?

ML: ”The Soft Side of Love, the Hard Side of Love & Everything In Between”
 
TPS: Anything you’d like to share about your personal life?

ML: I live in the Valley in Southern California. I have two boys, age 6 and 16. Between my real estate work, my book, my boys –I’m pretty busy!  Life is good!

Maneca and Richard Hallmarq

HUCKY: How and when did you start working for Prince?

STEVE: 1988 - on the Lovesexy album. I was brought in to do the art on the set for the video Glam Slam and ended up doing more work for the tour including the giant pair of eyes on the touring stage and some tour shirts. That was a three month indoctrination into hotel living and caffeine consumption. But for all that I can say that watching Lovesexy rehearsals sitting onstage was more than worth the brain cells I probably burnt out with no sleep and too much coffee.

continue reading this entry »

Q: What are you up to these days?

Producing, writing and touring - I am also a father of 2 girls – have been married for 16 years this Oct to my beautiful wife Julie. Check out www.stpaulproductions.com

Q: How did you start working with Prince?

Had an audition for the keyboard chair left vacant by Jimmy Jam. I was called home from my vacation after high school graduation. I had to learn 10 songs in 1 night –

I went in – Jesse Johnson was running the show for the Time – he dug what I did –and I got a call back – Prince showed up the next time – I got the gig after that.

Q: How and when did you get in the music business?

I was born into the business – my whole family is in the business (www.ThePetersonFamily.info)
My mom is 85 and is still giggin’ as a jazz pianist and vocalist – and all the brothers and sisters are musicians/singers.

Q: How do you think Prince will be remembered 50 years from now?

He is and will be remembered as a musical genius.

Q: What is your favorite Prince album?

Purple Rain

Q: Favorite bass player?

Marcus Miller

Q: Childhood ambition?

I wanted to either be a professional musician like the rest of my family, or a pro baseball player

Q: What are you most proud of?

My marriage, my kids, and my family.

Q: Do you still work with any members from The Family?

When I am not on the road touring with other artists I have some fun with a band called The Truth (http://www.myspace.com/thetruthmpls). Eric Leeds and Jellybean Johnson are in that band. We are having a blast doing the Family stuff!

Q: Best Prince Moment

I’ll never forget after the one and only Family concert at 1st Avenue – Prince came up to me after the show and hugged me he was so excited.

Thank you Paul. Check Paul out at www.stpaulmusic.com

Under what circumstances would you draw your weapon to protect a celebrity client? Any close calls in the past you remember?

Interview with Harlan (Hucky) Austin

Source: http://www.housequake.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70735   

Q: What are you up to these days?

Working with kids and doing some security job here& there and trying to stay in shape.

Q: How did you hook up with Prince?

Inter a dance contest at First Avenue with my partner Tony.

Q: Childhood ambition?

To go to collage and get a degree in business and play professional basketball, or be an entertainer, acting, dancing, or music

Q: Best Prince guitarist?

Miko weaver

Q: How and when did you get in the music business?

I got into a band when I was in 8^th grade as a drummer and singer. But I was a better singer and dancer then I was a drummer. While I was sitting at home razing my kids and working two jobs, a friend asks me to inter a dance contest. And that was it

Q: Favorite Movie?

I don’t know if I have a favorite, but I do like true stories movie and comedy

Q: What are you most proud of?

My kids and being bless by god to have had the opportunity to experience everything that I’ve done in my life

Q: Favorite tour and why?

Nude tour because it was my first

Q: Best Prince Moment

Playing basketball against prince and the body guards and beating them bad only to find out that they cheated on the score. But that’s o.k. because we had won every time before that. And beside we felt sorry for them.

Thank you Damon. Check Damon out at http://www.myspace.com/damondickson