From freelance writing on Bowie and Beck for Record Collector, working for record labels, contributing to the liner notes for the Diamonds & Pearls Deluxe album, and working with the Prince Estate. Sam talks to Jason Draper.

INTRO2mins30s - "What led you to have the career you've had?" 25 years ago, Jason tells a friend at University that no one is going to give him money to be a music journalist.4mins - "Finding a pathway to doing what I wanted to do..." Jason looks for work experience on Music monthlies, and picks up first freelance work at Record Collector.6mins - Parents musical taste - 'were they big music lovers?'7mins - Kids in Plymouth weren't listening to Kid Creole & The Coconuts...! Bowie, Beck and Prince being the Father, the Son & the Holy Ghost.9mins30s - Was Prince in your mind (as a subject to write about)? 'I was 8 when Diamonds & Pearls came out, and my Mum had the cassette in the car...'13mins - checking out Prince, making the connection to Beck, Sly Stone amd borrowing his friend's Dad's Sign O The Times VHS14mins30s - How did Jason get from being a Post-Graduate student to writing books on Prince?17mins - From the Record Collector to the Rough Guide to Prince (Pitching on 'Prince is going to turn 50 this year')18mins - Jason discusses the publication of his Prince books and their re-issues.21mins45secs - Favourite interviews in Prince world? Lives of the musicians... Covid-era interviews with Mayte, 3rd Eye Girl and others.26mins - Was Prince aware of the books you were writing? "He became aware after the fact..."29mins - How did Jason get to work on the D&P liner notes? "I think The Estate knew who I was at that point..."31mins - A different approach: Four to five writers discuss Diamonds & Pearls from their own perspective and angle.35mins - What is Jason's view of The Prince Estate, having worked for big record labels in the past?39mins - What's the biggest challenge to protect Prince's legacy? "The biggest challenge is to keep Prince's audience growing..." How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.LINKSPlease follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like to interact with the show on social media.Email me at: [email protected] if you have any ideas for future episodes, or if you'd like to share any feedback on the show. #prince4ever #love4oneanother