Almost Famous

Dwayne Jones holds that a life is shaped by the decisions a person makes and by the starting position they are given. This memoir examines both. From early childhood he dreamed of becoming famous as a musician, even though he knew how slim the chances were of breaking into the music industry. He grew up in Baltimore City, where getting through childhood as an inner-city kid is hard enough, and pursuing that dream made the odds feel close to impossible.

The book follows his climb from a Baltimore neighborhood to a platinum-selling single, a record contract worth two million dollars, and tours across the world. No one hands out a map to stardom, so his route was unpredictable and often chaotic. He asks whether he truly reached his goal or only came close. Along the way he covers loyalty and betrayal, a kidnapping, and a questionable murder, set against the glamour of money, women and the spotlight, and the personal relationships, sacrifices, failures and successes that filled his life.

Jones presents the story as a candid look at how he came within reach of fame, told from his own perspective.