Pepper MaShay exploded on the dance scene in the summer of 2000 (what people don’t realize, is that she has been lucky to work every weekend since) with
her mega smash hit “Dive in the Pool” (the un-official theme song from Showtime’s Queer As Folk & best described as the “It’s Raining Men” of the 21st Century).  In 2001, she followed with Billboard dance chart toppers “I Got My Pride” (from Queer As Folk & Sex In the City) and in 2002 “You and Me (Feels So Good)” (Queer As Folk).  In early February 2003, Cetacean Records released Pepper’s new smash single called “I Can’t Stop,” accompanied by a
hot new video directed by the “ taudry” Chi Chi LaRue, along with “Pink” bedding provided by Anna Nicole Smiths “interior designer” Bobby Trendy. The video features “video stars” Matt Summers, Jason Land and Rob Romoni as well as 3 other beautiful model boys. A “behind-the-scenes” DVD of the “steamy” music video is scheduled for released in early summer 2003.

Hence, “I Can’t Stop” is more than Pepper MaShay’s new single, it's her mantra as well. Pepper drew inspiration for writing “I Can't Stop” from her past loves, including the one she recently divorced. “I concentrated on the good times in the relationship; when I couldn’t live without him,” she says. “Anyone who has experienced their own great love will relate.  It’s that feeling of loving someone so much that you can’t get enough of that person.” “Finally, we get to hear her sing,” exclaims luminary porn-diva and Director of the music video for “I Can’t Stop,” Chi Chi LaRue.  “And what an amazing
voice she has!  

Along with her new song and video, fans are sure to notice the new “glamour-personified” Pepper MaShay, courtesy of Chi Chi LaRue.  “Pink, pink and more pink!” declares Chi Chi LaRue of Pepper’s transformation.  “Plus long, pretty spider eyelashes.” “I would never have been seen in those eyelashes before,” laughs Pepper MaShay, “but when Chi Chi handed them to me and I put them on, I came alive.  They were just so much fun!  As I learned from Tina Turner, that’s what’s important – having fun!”  With “I Can’t Stop”, Pepper’s sharing her fun with everyone.  
 
It all began twenty-some years ago when a young Jean McClain, as she was known then, left Muncie, Indiana to pursue a career in music.  She spent her early years playing Las Vegas hotels and casinos and singing back-up for singers like Cher and Tina Turner.  “Tina was wonderful,” remembers Pepper. “I worked with her for two days on the “What’s Love Got To Do With it” soundtrack.  The first day I met her, she asked me to sing and when I did, she hit me in my stomach!  She said, ‘I wanna hear it from your gut.  There’s no need to be nervous or scared,  we’re here to have a good time.’ I carried that wisdom with me.”
 
Surprisingly, Pepper’s original focus was on a career in rock music. As a child, she spent many afternoons in front of the mirror singing Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan songs.  But a night out at a European discotheque changed those aspirations.  She was in her early forties, already considered past her prime in most genres of music, still waiting to be signed to a record label.  The owner of the club advised her to stop waiting on the labels and to pursue a career in dance music instead.  “Dance music is perfect for a powerful singer like you,” he said.  But McClain knew little
about dancing or dance music.  
 
She teamed up with producer Michael O’Hara who, drawing from the way her freckles appeared to be sprinkled with pepper, renamed her Pepper.  She added MaShay, despite opposition from friends who thought “Pepper MaShay” sounded like a drag queens name.  She found immediate success singing background vocals on Taylor Dayne’s “Naked Without You,” Jennifer Holliday’s “A Women’s Got the Power” (Pepper recorded the demo. which enticed Jennifer to record the song) and Abigail’s “If It Don’t Fit.”  It was disheartening, however, when Pepper found out the one line she recorded (“My mama said if it don’t fit, don’t force it”) was spun into a remix and turned it into a 12-inch record.  “I had friends from New York calling me, ‘Girl, you’re all over the radio and it’s under someone else’s name!  Who’s Abigail?” She mentioned it to producer Barry Harris (half of remix duo Thunderpuss) who promised he would make things right.
 
Three months later Harris called Pepper into the studio to record what would become her breakout single.  “It took two and a half hours,” explains Pepper MaShay.  “Two months later, I’m in Japan on a jazz tour and I find out I’m on Billboard.  I couldn’t believe it.” “Dive in the Pool” climbed to #2 on the Billboard’s Dance chart on September 23, 2000, (Madonna was #1), and was later named the #2 Billboard Club Play Song of the year 2000 (again, Madonna was #1). The song was extensively featured on the Showtime hit series Queer As Folk and was included on the shows soundtrack, put out on RCA Records.  “Dive in the Pool” won the Best Underground 12” award at the Winter Music Conference in Miami and was also honored as one of the “Top Dance Songs for the Year 2000” by ASCAP. 
 
Pepper embarked on a grueling tour schedule to promote the song, logging in 250 club appearances in 2001 alone.  Since then, other hits have followed including “I Got My Pride” and “You and Me (Feels So Good)” and “I Pledge.”  For the last two and a half years, Pepper has remained highly visible on the circuit. “It’s wearing me out, she admits." “But its to the point where I don’t want to stop.  Its like an addiction.  There’s no better high than performing in front of gay and lesbian people who love me.” Its been a long road traveled by the once Jean McClain, now Pepper MaShay, but for Pepper, its been well worth the trip. “No matter how long it takes,” advises Pepper, “Never give up your dreams.  I didn’t and I’m living them now.”