SEEKING
Accordion, Acoustic Guitar, Background Singer, Bagpipes, Banjo, Bass Guitar, Cello, Clarinet, DJ, Dobro, Drums, Electronic Music, Fiddle, Flute, Harmonica, Harp, Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Other, Other Percussion, Piano, Rhythm Guitar, Saxophone, Steel guitar, Trombone, Trumpet, Ukulele, Upright bass, Violin, Vocalist, Vocalist - Alto, Vocalist - Baritone, Vocalist - Bass, Vocalist - Soprano, Vocalist - Tenor.ABOUT
Thomas James is a songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist who got his first break in the music business in the early 1980s when his band, the Kelly James Band, caught the attention of then-MCA Records Regional Promotions Manager Jay McDaniel. McDaniel had been aware that the South's Marshall Tucker Band was searching for a promising act to jump-start its new Creative Arts label and suggested that the Kelly James Band submit a demo tape for consideration.
Because of the band’s fresh and marketable sound, the Kelly James Band’s demo was enthusiastically selected by producers Doug Gray, George McCorkle and Jerry Eubanks of the Marshall Tucker Band from more than 400 submissions. The Kelly James Band was invited to record its debut album at the Marshall Tucker Band’s Spartanburg, SC studios and when it was released a few months later, several of the project’s cuts received radio airplay in the Southeast.
The band began performing for large, enthusiastic crowds, opening shows for the Marshall Tucker Band, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Dr. Hook, Artimus Pyle Band (former drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd), New Riders of the Purple Sage, among others.
The Kelly James Band’s unique sound was highly regarded by Ken Lanza of CBS Records who approached industry legend Paul Atkinson to consider signing the band with Columbia Records. MCA Records and Warner Brothers had also expressed interest. Unfortunately, tumultuous times and personnel changes in the industry never resulted in a deal with a major label, but the Kelly James Band persevered with loyal support from its fans, and continued to build a tremendous following in the Southeast.
Through the years, James has played in other bands, in addition to performing in a duo and as a solo act. He has written more than 100 songs in various genres, including pop, rock, country, blues and instrumentals, and many orchestral compositions suitable for movie or TV soundtracks. He is a member of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).
- Screen name:
- nccomposer
- Member since:
- May 24 2017
- Active within 2 weeks
- Level of commitment:
- Touring
- Years playing music:
- 50
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Most available:
- Nights
Influences
Supertramp, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Little Feat, Chuck Leavell, Bruce Hornsby, Jackson Browne, Paul McCartney, Gregg Allman, Eagles, Neil Young, Dan Fogelberg, John Hiatt, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, John Fogerty, Johnny Cash..
Instrument experience:
- Keyboard:
- Expert
- Trumpet:
- Advanced
- Vocalist:
- Moderate
- Drums:
- Moderate
- Other Percussion:
- Moderate
- Acoustic Guitar:
- Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Too numerous to list.
