Donny B Lord, who currently has a rising hit single and music video called “Party On the Moon” talks about The Jacksons in this up close and personal exclusive Hip Hop Ruckus interview.

HHR: How did you meet Jackie Jackson? I don’t even have to say it but Jackie is of course the founding member of the Jackson 5 and a fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member himself.
Donny B. Lord: Jackie found me actually. I was doing a few television shows and award shows, dancing and singing as a kid, and Jackie was putting together this boy group. His talent scout saw me and said she’d like me to audition for a singing group that Jackie Jackson is putting together. I said of course (laughs). Michael Jackson was always my idol and I started dancing and doing everything because of Michael. It sounded like a great gig.

I went to the Mansion, the Jackson estate. I auditioned for Jackie there and he called Jermaine in to see my audition as well, and Jermaine called me “Little Michael.”

HHR:: Wow that’s crazy. What was that encounter like?
Donny B. Lord: Jackie is the nicest, warmest person. You can’t not love Jackie. He has such a pleasant vibe around him. He’s always smiling. I was a kid when I met him and he’s a big guy, especially because I was so small. He’s a buff guy and he’s athletic so you expect this macho attitude, but he’s very soft spoken (laughs). I can’t say anything bad about Jackie. He’s a beautiful human being.

HHR: And what ended up happening with that group Jackie Jackson was putting together?
Donny B. Lord: Yeah, we did the group. And just like most groups, it kind of fell apart. We did some interviews and performances. We were doing it for a while and then it just fell apart.

HHR: Ok. Do you still have contact with Jackie today?
Donny B. Lord: Yeah. I think a lot has changed since Michael passed away. A lot changed after that. I can’t imagine what Jackie is going through, losing your little brother like that who also happens to be one of the greatest entertainers on the planet.

HHR: You got to spend time around Michael. Tell us about that.
Donny B. Lord: I didn’t get to work with Michael on any projects. I learned from him because I was around him. Jackie would bring me in on sessions where all of them [Jacksons] would co-write. I learned that process, how they write a song together. They throw around different melodies and use each other’s ideas. It’s a beautiful thing to see them together. Michael would do his beat boxing and melody and then Jermaine and Tito would pick up the guitar and play. Randy was on keys. Jackie would come up with the killer hooks and harmonies. It was beautiful. I got to see that magic happen. I learned from Michael, Jackie, and the rest of them; I lived with Jackie as a matter of fact. Was like a second father to me. He took me in and taught me everything about music.

HHR: That’s a beautiful thing. Do any stories stick out about your studio visits with the Jacksons?
Donny B. Lord: Michael always said “don’t take short cuts” and Jackie said that too. When you’re writing a song, do it just like you hear it. Don’t take a short cut; don’t go around. Do it exactly how you hear it in your head; however you played it in your head put it down the same way. That’s obvious because Michael was such a master perfectionist and you could see that in his work. His attention to detail was phenomenal. There are lots of stories because I learned a lot from Jackie as well. I don’t think Jackie gets the credit he deserves sometimes; he’s a brilliant guy.

HHR: Besides Michael and Jackie, you’ve had encounters with Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Lionel Ritchie and more. That’s an incredible list of people. What were those encounters like?
Donny B. Lord: You’re around all of these people and you just see that the interaction is so normal. All of a sudden, you’re hanging out with their kids and they just become people. Don’t get me wrong, they’re brilliant people from whom you learn a lot, but they’re normal people who have a beautiful gift that allows them to do things that are out of this world. I think that’s what I learned from being around them. Jackie would take me to all these studios around everywhere. He brought me around the big boys; backstage at concerts, etc. It was all about learning from the masters. That’s what it’s about.