Proving that Age Ain’t Nothin’ But a Number

By Linnea Sheldon

Local singer/songwriter Sam James has a lot of experience under his belt despite his young age. He picked up a guitar at 14, and was writing his own music and lyrics at 15.

Several years later he has toured the country, playing at colleges and small venues and performing alongside well-known musicians including Third Eye Blind, Robert Randolph, John Popper, Rusted Root, and Chuck Berry.

“I got my start at an early age from my parents,” he said. “My dad is an accomplished songwriter, and he introduced me to a bunch of the greats. Bob Dylan, David Wilcox, Dave Mathews, have all been huge influences.”

James began playing at local coffee houses at the age of 15. “A friend of a friend works for Clear Channel,” he said. “They came down to see me and thought they could book me, so they gave me a shot.”

James previously released a self-titled EP. He is currently working on a new record that will include members of OSB and Craig. “We’ve taken on a bunch of new performers and the new record should be out in the middle of June,” he said. “We’re really excited, it has a new feel to it.”

The group will also be shooting a video for the first single in Washington D. C. at the end of May.

Back in January, James opened for Kid Rock at a pre-Superbowl party. He also performed at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) National Convention in February.

James said that he prefers being on stage to being in the studio because he feels the music comes across better when you can see people being affected by it. “My favorite thing about performing is people’s reactions, because whether they’re good or bad you never know what’s going to come out of the music. I write a lot about past experience, and it’s about my life, and it’s all to be interpreted by the listener.”

When James is not on the road he performs every Wednesday at Tammany Hall. The show starts around 10 p.m. and includes local musician Dusty Cobb as well as other special guests.