Mr. Josiah Blount

Josiah Blount was the oldest son of three children born to John and Richetta Blount. He was born July 20, 1955. At age 10 after losing both parents he was raised by his late grandmother Alma Spruill He graduated from Indian River High school and then continued is studies at Hampton University. While attending Hampton University Jo studied journalism where he mastered the arts of writing very professional and thought provoking paper, as well as becoming unbeatable in the game of chess. Jo was so profound in what he said and how he said something that back in January we believe Jo was writing his own obituary and did not even realize it. The following is Jo’s obituary in his own words that he wrote January 1, 2021, on Facebook in a post to the Blount family. HAPPY NEW YEAR FAMILY! I’m sure you all are happy to be past 2020 and looking forward to 2021. Allow me to share some thoughts with you. Last year at this time, I was knocking on death’s door and did not know it. I felt good but I was having all sorts of medical problems of which I was unaware. Three times I had to go to the emergency room and they kept me for about a week each time. I was placed in a wheelchair because I could barely stand on top of all that. Eventually I was able to walk with a walker—which I still use, but I can walk short distances with a cane now and even shorter distances with no cane. A couple of weeks ago I started on dialysis three times a week as I await a kidney transplant. But I’ve been living with my wonderful sister and her husband who have helped me to regain my health along with assistance by my trusty brother and his wife. I feel blessed. Don’t feel sad or sorry for me because I am happy. I know I lived a fantastic life which is even hard for me to believe sometimes. I was trained by some of the greatest martial artists in the world and even became assistant to some of them. I taught Taekwondo for Grandmaster Harold Hankins for 15 years and I was also trained by Duncan Leung, Soke Kuniba, Albert Cheeks and others. Martial Arts led me into the music business through Big Bad Base and I was managing night clubs and DJing for one of the biggest and best DJ companies in the area. I eventually started my own record company, writing and producing for a group I managed and winning awards as well as performing at all sorts of venues including the Norfolk Scope, Hampton Coliseum, Bessie’s Boat House, Chrysler Hall, and all sorts if skating rinks, bingo hall and lodges. We got regular airplay in radio, shared the stage with some of the hottest acts in the country and opened up for legends like Solomon Burke, who loved my group so much he got them to sing background for him and wanted to take them on tour as his opening act. I shared stages with most if the pioneers of rap, groups like Run DMC, LL Cool J, Fat Boys, Salt & Peppa, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, Beastie Boys, Original Concept as well as Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam, Ready for the World and more.I was also the most in demand bodyguard for the area, escorting around people like LL Cool J, Ice Cube & Eazy E, and others. I was with Luther Vandross, Prince, Patti Labelle and other top R&B stars. I escorted Phyllis Hyman to Norfolk State Homecoming as well as to the show that night where she performed along with my buddies the O’Jays and SOS Band. I helped get Najee out of jail one night after he performed at Chrysler Hall. I worked with or for some of the hottest jazz artists of the 80’s and 90’s. Also George Clinton and his group, Rick James and his groups, Cameo, Intruders, Dells, Delfonics, Chi-Lites, Ashford & Simpson, Gap Band and too many other R&B groups to name. I worked for and was friends with Third World, plus worked for other Reggae groups like Steel Pulse, Yellowman, Ziggy Marley, the I Three and others. I knew Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Joe Tory, DL Hugley and other comedians before they became famous. I used to fly to New York, Nashville, and Hollywood on a moments notice to work on music, writing, producing, and even engineering. Flew out to Hollywood to see a friend in the music business one time had no money on me, and ended up recording vocals for Ron Miller the next day. Miller worked for Motown and wrote classic like “For Once In My Life,” “If I Could,” “Place In the Sun,” and more. I’ve written songs with artists who had #1 Country Music hit, I’ve administered a Country music website based in Nashville, I’ve had my music played on TV shows, BBC radio, and a song placed in an NPR simulcast broadcast. One of my first records became a hit in Germany 25 years after it was released and I had such a fan base there people were using their vacation time to come to Virginia to meet me and pose for pictures with me. I was interviewed for magazines and did multiple interviews for radio for my music. I’m not one to kiss and tell but I dated a lot of models, beauty pageant winners, singers, dancers, actresses—most of which pursued me. I have so much stories I could tell—and there are many stories told about me. I’ve really had a blast. Didn’t make a lot of money, but then, money was not my interest. Enjoying life was. My biggest thrill is seeing YOU family doing well and living your dreams, because I know how this family started, way back when we were burning coal and using outhouses. We didn’t have much but we shared what we had and helped one another get ahead. I hope we don’t stop doing that and do it even more. I’ve always tried to help anyone in the family I could, whether giving them money they did not ask for, giving them music equipment to help them, advice, or just encouragement because it is a way of showing my love and hope for them. So family, go forth in the new year, pursuing your dreams and encouraging others to do the same. Show your love and be happy for every moment you get to be on this planet. CHOOSE to be happy and filled with joy instead of grumpy, sad, and loveless. Love you all, Jo Josiah leaves to cherish his memory: His sister Velma Moore, husband John; brother John Blount, wife Regina; three aunts Frances Johnson, Carol Kimball, and Maryland Carrington; two uncles James Bradley and Richard Sawyer; two nieces Trina Scippio and Renee Jones; one nephew Shawn Moore; two great nieces Jaclyn Scippio and Trinity Moore. He also leaves to cherish his memory,a Goddaughter Love Brown; a host of other relatives and cousins as well as his Martial Arts brothers and too many Special friends to name.

Tributes

Mr. Josiah Blount

July 20, 1955 - June 10, 2021