Music Executive and Family Pillar James Newman III

Basic Information

Biography

James “Jimmy” Gaston Newman III was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 13, 1962, to soul icon Gladys Knight and Atlanta musician James “Jimmy” Gaston Newman II. The Newman family mixed church choir harmonies with Motown rhythms, and Jimmy was raised to love music and faith. Jimmy became a standout football player at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas when his family moved there. He earned varsity letters in 1978, 1979, and 1980. His intellectual and athletic dedication got him into the University of San Diego.

Jimmy earned his BA in 1984 from USD, specializing in communications and minoring in business administration. He worked at local radio stations and small record companies during college summers, learning talent discovery and artist relations. His sports and communication backgrounds generated a profession that combined inspiration and marketing.

Jimmy created Newman Management Inc. in 1985 in Las Vegas after graduating. He oversaw his mother’s mid-1980s resurrection and signed new R&B and gospel singers via his organization. He established his reputation as a quiet but competent music executive by negotiating contracts worth over $10 million for his clients by the late 1990s. Jimmy married Michelene in 1987 and had five children between 1988 and 1996. Music fans lamented his tragic death at 36 on July 10, 1999, marking the end of a bright career and the loss of a loving son, husband, and father.

Family & Personal Relationships

James Newman III’s personal life revolved around a multi-generational circle of talent, faith, and entrepreneurship:

Jimmy worked closely with his mother on tour marketing in the early 1990s. He and Michelene conducted yearly Christmas family gatherings in Las Vegas for up to 25 members. Kenya and half-brother Shanga often contacted him on their commercial projects, demonstrating his familial confidence.

Career Details

Jimmy Newman III’s career spanned 14 years, during which he leveraged his university education and family connections to establish a boutique management firm:

Jimmy managed using athlete-inspired instruction and industrial knowledge. He tracked ticket sales, radio airplay, and newspaper attention in weekly planning conferences like sports teams. Under his direction, his top clientele had over 20 Billboard chart entries. His last endeavor, the 1998 “Voices of Faith” series, garnered $250,000 for inner-city music education.

Jimmy mentored interns and younger managers in contract negotiation and brand development seminars in addition to executive tasks. Newman Management Inc. remained a family-run corporation after his tragic death in July 1999, despite plans for a West Coast expansion and threats of dissolution.

Net Worth

Jimmy Newman III kept his finances private, and no public records disclose his exact net worth. Based on his management deals and family trust distributions, estimates suggest:

• Annual Management Fees (1995–1998): $200,000–$300,000
• Contract Commissions (cumulative): $500,000+
• Property Holdings: Family residence in Las Vegas, valued at $350,000 in 1998
• Trust Distributions: Modest annual payments from maternal family trust

Despite the lack of formal filings, industry insiders agree that Jimmy amassed savings and investments totaling in the low seven figures by 1999, reflecting both his business success and frugal personal habits.

News, Gossip & Social Media Mentions

Though Jimmy passed away before the rise of social media, his memory endures through:

• Obituaries & Tributes:

  • Las Vegas Sun headline on July 13, 1999: “Record exec…found dead Saturday at his home.”
  • Jet Magazine feature the same month commemorating his dual role as Gladys Knight’s son and manager.

• Fan & Media Stories:

  • A 2023 retrospective on AmoMama recounts his support for Gladys during her late-1990s personal challenges.
  • EntertainmentNow profiles highlight his dual background in athletics and entertainment.

• Throwback Photo Groups:

  • Facebook fan-curated albums display vintage images of Jimmy alongside Gladys Knight at award shows in 1987, 1990, and 1994.

These mentions underscore Jimmy’s quiet influence behind the scenes and the respect he commanded both within his family and the broader music community.

FAQ

When and where was James Newman III born?

He was born on August 13, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan.

What was his educational background?

He graduated with a B.A. in Communications from the University of San Diego in 1984.

What company did he found?

He founded Newman Management Inc. in 1985 to manage his mother and other musical talents.

How many children did he have?

He and his wife Michelene had five children: Nastasia, Gabrielle, Rishawn, Stefan, and Sterling.

When did he pass away and at what age?

He died on July 10, 1999, in Las Vegas at the age of 36.

Did he have a known net worth?

His personal net worth remains undisclosed, though estimates place it in the low seven figures by 1999.

References