In 2019, Jet Jurgensmeyer started his role voicing Pip the Penguin in the T.O.T.S. TV series for Disney, with which he stayed voicing the character until 2021, and he previously voiced Kaz in the Nick Jr. show Shimmer and Shine and Dirty in The Stinky & Dirty Show. As a screen actor, Jet’s roles have included Boyd Baxter in Last Man Standing alongside a cast including Tim Allen, Tommy Tilwicky in feature film The Legend of 5 Mile Cave, Caleb in Black-ish, Bobby Anderson in Adventures in Babysitting and Stevie in Austin & Ally. Alongside having a screen career, Jet is a singer-songwriter and released his new album Phase 1: Discover in June this year, and is continuing working on new music and performing live at his shows in America. Talking with Jet, he told us about his latest album Phase 1: Discover, voicing Pip the Penguin in T.O.T.S. and his role of Boyd Baxter in Last Man Standing.
Can you tell us about your new album Phase 1: Discover and how long were you working on it?
I started working on this album almost three years ago. Right after my first album came out, I started writing and working on songs for this one. I wanted to write all of my music in the future. I continue to write and have many more possibilities for the next album.
How did you find the experience writing the songs and do you have a favourite song on the album to perform?
I found it very fun to write all of these. There are very different songs here. It was very important to me that I was a writer on all of my songs, so I really loved being a part of all the stages it takes to make a song. I don’t think I could pick a single song that’s a favourite. I love them all so much!
What’s it been like seeing the listeners’ response to Phase 1: Discover?
It’s scary and exciting all at the same time. I’m scared people aren’t going to like the songs, as both the artist and writer, but I’m also excited when they listen and love them!
Is there anything you enjoy most about working on new music and performing live at events?
The connection with the crowd has to be my favourite thing. I love when I can talk to them and get a real-time reaction to the songs. I love the behind the scenes of creating music, being in the studio, and watching these amazing musicians work, it’s fascinating!
Do you have any shows or releases coming up that you can say about?
I have a bunch of gigs coming up. You can see them all on my website, jetjurgensmeyer.com. I’m really working on a lot of new music at the moment.
You voiced the role of Pip the Penguin in T.O.T.S. for Disney, what was the character like to play and how was it working with the rest of the cast?
It was so much fun. I love Pip and the entire cast and crew that was a part of that show. Pip is such a positive and creative leader. I’ve made such great friends and even family from this project!
What do you miss most about voicing Pip and what was it like developing the character over the years?
Definitely all of the amazing songs I got to sing! It was so fun that I still get some of them stuck in my head, haha! Pip grew in his creativity to solve problems and I hope that I was able to make the character show that.
What was Boyd Baxter like to play in the TV series Last Man Standing and can you tell us about being part of the cast?
You know… I learned a lot from not just the cast but the crew too. Everyone was always so excited to go to work and just laugh all day that it was pretty stress free. Everyone treated each other with great respect and appreciated everyone’s opinion. Tim (Allen) would always ask what I thought about a scene when we were rehearsing. I really miss all those people and it’s so great when I run into some of them around town or on set somewhere else.
How was your time voicing Kaz in Shimmer and Shine for Nick Jr.?
My time on Shimmer and Shine was awesome! I had actually worked with some of the crew on that show in the past. So, it was really good to be able to see them again. I love whenever I mention the show seeing little kids faces light up!
What are some of your stand-out highlights from voicing Dirty in The Stinky & Dirty Show?
That was really the first show where I was able to sing in every single episode. I fell in love with that and I think that love carried over to T.O.T.S.. Also, all of the friends I still have because of that show. We stay in touch and I’ve even vacationed with some of them.
What was it like on set of The Legend of 5 Mile Cave, in which you played Tommy Tilwicky, and how did you prepare for your role?
This was a very cool project! Being a farmer, it was only natural that I wanted to do a western. So, when I found out I got the role of Tommy, it was amazing! I was so excited, and I hope I get to embrace the role of Tommy again. As far as getting prepared, it really just depends on the roles, for me I really play off of my co-stars. My goal is to get to know them, so for instance, for 5 Mile, I got to know Jill (Wagner) really well. That way the mother-son bond we were supposed to have, was real.
You played Bobby Anderson in Adventures in Babysitting, do you have any favourite memories from working on this project?
The thing that stands out the most for me, is how close the cast all are to this day. It’s very rare to have everybody get along as well as we all did. We spent nine weeks together and it wasn’t easy saying goodbye at the end. I was 10 years old and I could hang out with the 19 year olds because we were all just so close. I am very glad for all of the amazing memories I made during filming.
Over the years, you’ve worked on a number of other shows including Puppy Dog Pals, Black-ish, Bubble Guppies and Austin & Ally, can you tell us about some of them?
Black-ish was so much fun for me. As someone who loves comedy, Anthony Anderson is one of the best! Such a genuinely nice guy and someone I consider a friend. Austin & Ally was cool because I was an actual fan of the show. I grew up watching, so it was pretty cool being able to be on the set and work with those people I looked up to. It was the first time I had really encountered something like that.
Where does your love of acting, voiceover and music come from and how did you get into each?
I think it’s just always been a part of me. I grew up on stage performing for people in Nashville. When I realised acting was pretty much the same, I instantly fell in love with it. I found it so much fun that I got to talk and entertain people for a job! Voiceover became another way I could act and entertain without worrying about wardrobe. My parents constantly listen to things I’ve recorded in the past and hear what I sounded like years ago.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch and music artists to listen to?
Well, like I said before, I grew up watching Austin & Ally. However, just a couple months before I got the audition for Last Man Standing, I had started watching the show and became a huge fan of it! So, it was a big deal for me when we got the email for the Boyd audition. I’m really inspired by people like Ed Sheeran, Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs. I love all of their styles and whenever I write a song, I always try and think, “What’s something cool they would put in their song?”. It helps, lol!
How do you like to spend your time away from your career?
I’m pretty simple actually. I’m either on my horse working on the farm or at the gym or hanging out with my family and friends. My career is honestly the fun part of my day, so I try and be working on it in some way, shape, or form as much as possible.
What are you hoping the rest of 2022 brings for you?
Hopefully, much of the same. So far, the response to my album has been great and I’m super excited to keep writing and releasing more music. I’m working on becoming a better writer, singer, and person overall, and I hope that shows through the types of songs and content I create. I’m always looking for the next acting role that fits me. I am moving into more young adult roles now so we will see where that leads.
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