Moana Wolfgramm from The 80s Band The Jets - Living A Vocal Life Episode #1

Welcome to the Living A Vocal Life Podcast where I interview singers who have succeeded in creating a life in music. You’ll hear from vocalists of all genres, in different stages of their careers, including singers who’ve been on the Billboard charts and those who are teaching the next generation. What do they have in common? They're all performers with amazing stories to tell and experiences to share.
In this episode, I talk with my very first guest on the podcast, Moana Wolfgramm from the 80s band The Jets. I first met Moana when we were on tour together in 1986. She was just 12 years old, traveling around the country in a tour bus with her seven siblings. The Jets were on their first world tour which had started in 1985 after the release of their platinum-selling record on MCA "The Jets." From 1985 to 1990 the band accumulated eight top 10 singles. "Crush On You" - which peaked at number three in July of 1986, probably bumped our song off the charts!
You'll hear what being in a band with your seven siblings is like, and how losing a gig and being stranded in Minneapolis led to the group landing a record deal. In the early 90s, The Jets fell off the charts. It was then that Moana re-discovered herself through the love of family and simple living in Hawaii, and discovered what success means to her.
For full show notes and transcriptions, please visit the Episode Webpage at www.valeriedaysings.com.
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The song from today’s episode is called Pride and is from The Jet's latest CD, “The Jets Reunited" (used with permission.)
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If you like what you hear, please consider supporting the podcast! Each interview takes me about 40 hours to produce. Knowing I have listeners who are enjoying the show enough to "buy me a cup of coffee" means the world. Thanks!
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Theme music for the Podcast was composed by John Smith. He helps me edit all the podcast episodes too. (Thanks, honey!)

[@edwardbliss8931]

I'm falling down The Jets rabbit hole because it transports me back to 1986.

[@rebeccalee5674]

Such a positive and cheerful young lady GODBLESS her and her family.

[@melissachesley917]

Love the jets

[@TheHiphopgems]

Great interview, I'm going down the jets rabbit hole 😅. Moana and Liz and the rest of the family are such great people I hope to see them live one day

[@livingavocallife]

I hope you get to see them live one day too. They're an incredible, talented family. This interview with Moana is still one of my favorites! Thanks for listening.

[@saint3210]

Great interview. Hopefully one day, I can see The Jets performing live..

[@rboyenangtv5272]

What a wondetful podcast. I'm a huge fan of The Jets since I was a kid. I'm always looking for something like this about the group. Moana is great. She has her own thing in the band. Her voice is as great as Liz and I always see them as equals and I love her so much. The Jets songs always gives me that good vibes and positivity. Thank you so much Valerie you're awesome, I'm a fan 👍 Please do more podcast please. I hope you do a podcast with Liz and the rest of the group next. More power and God bless you Valerie ❤️

[@livingavocallife]

Thanks for the kind words! It makes all the time and effort spent on the podcast worthwhile. Moana was the perfect person to be my first interview. She's a pro through and through, with a big heart, and a gorgeous voice. Hopefully I'll have a chance to interview Liz one day too! Take care.

[@perriecataldo5789]

Love this woman

[@Discoverhitmusic1]

Congrats on launching LAVL Valerie! This is going to help a lot of aspiring singers!

[@sparkleinyoureyes8259]

What a beautiful interview !! The whole group the “Jets” had a pleasant and calming persona !! They have a whole generation of fans that would love to see them perform again !! ❤

[@marccello.sousa.]

Bravo ! 👏👏👏Entrevista maravilhosa!!!🇧🇷

[@stevieplaysguitar8184]

Thank you for this interview, I just happened upon it. I've always appreciated the talent this family is blessed with. I'm from Mpls. and a musician, I understand how difficult the business is. Glad to see Moana has weathered it well, she has an amazing voice and spirit! Wish the interview was longer, had my attention every second. BTW, "I Can't Wait", was one of my fav's. Excellent vocals!

[@livingavocallife]

So glad you got a lot out of the interview, Stevie! Moana DOES have an amazing voice and spirit. I could have talked with her for hours. Thanks for leaving a comment here - and for listening!

[@deangalatas2400]

What a great interview their story is great and Moana’s story from her view is also awesome! Thanks from another professional musician, they all have incredible voices and still do! Keep it going Moana! Valerie you can interview every Jet and get a have a lot of incredible stories , go Moana!

[@livingavocallife]

This family has so many great stories to tell for sure. Thanks for listening, Dean!

[@LIFECHANGERSHOW]

GREAT GREAT INTERVIEW!!! THANK YOU!

[@Lovejazz01]

Wow, what a great interview from the two of the members of two of my favorite groups The Jets and Nu Shooz! ! And Moana, I tell you, I just love listening to her sing, but I also just love to listen to her talk, because she us so amazingly positive and spot on about life and experiences. Just listening to her I’m sure will and has helped someone get through something or just get through life. And I have to say Moana, I disagree with those studio producers, you have a different but equally amazing beautiful singing voice as your sister Liz and you can certainly and do hold your own!

[@livingavocallife]

I love listening to Moana talk too! She was my first-ever guest on Living A Vocal Life, and she made it so easy. Thanks for listening!

[@Loy.Francis]

Maybe that's why they don't give Moana a shot to lead a song on their first album. But i don't think Moana's voice isn't good, it's just that Liz' voice is too advance for her age that time. Good thing they gave Moana a break at their 'Believe' album, I love "In My Dreams" and I wish someday I could hear her sing that song again. Now, Moana got the voice and the personality that's why there's no problem for her replacing Liz' to lead The Jets. Thank you Valerie for this interview. You still talk like you are singing just like the good old days. I wish you could interview Liz' too. ❤❤❤

[@livingavocallife]

Agreed! Liz was incredibly advanced for her age. Moana worked hard at her craft though, and the results are beautiful to listen to. As for interviewing Liz - maybe someday! I know she's got some amazing stories to tell too. Take care!

[@joyyujeco3484]

@@livingavocallifeMs Day, a lot of fans would love it if you could interview Elizabeth too!

[@RowanUGrad]

What a terrific interview! It was great listening to both of you.

[@FetchTheSled]

Elizabeth next? Pretty please : )

[@Demigoddess1975]

I just got inspired to sing again! Thanks to 2 ladies who are LEGENDS. God bless ladies! I look forward to hearing more podcasts like this one. 😊

[@livingavocallife]

I’m so glad you’re inspired to sing again, Diana. Thank you for sharing that here. Makes all the work that goes into these podcasts worthwhile ❤️ You made my day !

[@TonyPoindexter]

Good best friend Tony ❤❤

[@diaquitaquita8984]

HAPPY 🆕 YEAR 🥳🎉

[@rebeccalee5674]

Many groups today can’t hold a candle to them

[@scottgetty5547]

Wow how down to earth you two are, incredibly talented family, and am a huge fan

[@nushoozmusic]

The Jets are the best!

[@scottgetty5547]

@@nushoozmusicAgreed

[@TonyPoindexter]

Good best friend Tony I love you too baby Tony

[@sparkleinyoureyes8259]

Maybe you should have asked where can her fans find her on social media like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

[@livingavocallife]

You can find Moana and The Jets social links on the podcast episode page here: livingavocallife.com/living-a-vocal-life-podcast/episode-1-moana-wolfgramm-from-the-jets

[@billyd7887]

Their manager didnt know how to reinvent them. He was old. They needed a new manager familiar with that generations sound. So many different directions they could have gone, they just needed a producer with foresight. They could have followed Janet Jackson's sound. They could have floated in the dance music scene. Elizabeth's and Moana's voice could have taken them different routes but they needed to REINVENT themselves and shed the 80s sound.

[@CanadaMath]

What is the name of the sister who was born in the 1980's and is currently touring with the Jets?

[@livingavocallife]

Could be Natalia, but then again... there are so many great singers in this family!

[@CanadaMath]

@@livingavocallife Yes I think you are correct. I saw them in concert a few days ago (Jan 27) here in Manila, Philippines and I met them after the show and they signed a photo album for me. The sister who signed who was born in the 1980's has the name "Eti Vise Espenisa'. It took me some searching on the internet to confirm this!

[@livingavocallife]

@@CanadaMath Wonderful that you caught them live. They put on a fantastic show!