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James Kirkland

bassistjameskirkland

About Me

I began playing bass at an early age. One of my first jobs was playing the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana with David Houston. A little later, I played it with Bob Luman and James Burton. I was a member of their staff. Just as we were getting hot in Texas and from the Hayride appearances, Bob decided to move to California, so we went with him. There we made the movie Carnival Rock and began recording for Imperial Records. When we recorded "Red Hot," Ricky Nelson overheard us and decided he wanted us for his band. There were never any hard feelings between Ricky and Bob, even though at the time Ricky had stolen Bob's band. I appeared on numerous episodes of the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and the Nelsons were like my own family. Rick was even my best man when I married my first wife. I toured extensively with Rick as well, playing electric bass as my standup was too hard to travel with. We broke attendance records all three times we played the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. I would spend about two and a half years with Rick before I decided to go back with Bob. Burton had decided to leave Rick too, but then he returned just as we were about to sign a record deal with Warner Brothers for an instrumental album we had made. James was underage, and his mother refused to sign the contract. I returned to working with Bob because I didn't get to play much during the year. Playing with Rick Nelson was exclusive. Once Bob got drafted into the Army, I went to Nashville looking for work. I then hooked up with Jim Reeves. You may be surprised to know that I am also a songwriter and a singer. I wrote a few songs including "There Goes My Baby" and "Be True to Me." I was Jim Reeves' opening act, first one to introduce him as Gentleman Jim Reeves and play electric bass on the Grand Old Opry. I would sing for 30-45 minutes before Jim hit the stage. I also did shows with Dale Hawkins as well as a recording session in New Orleans with him... width="425" height="350" .... width="425" height="350" ..I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4

My Interests

I'd like to meet:

Any rockabilly or rock and roll fan who appreciates my work. Would love to hear from you, so please post comments... width="425" height="350" ..

Music:

As a Shadow with Bob Luman: (1957) "No Use in Lying," "This is the Night," "All Night Long," "Red Hot," "Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache," "The Creep," "Blue Days, Black Nights" With Ricky Nelson: (1957) "Stood Up," "Waitin' in School" (1958) "Believe What You Say," "My Bucket's Got a Hole In It," "Down the Line," "Shirley Lee," "Good Rockin' Tonight," "I'm Feelin' Sorry," "Someday," "Unchained Melody," "Poor Little Fool," "My Babe," "I'll Walk Alone," "I'm in Love Again," "There Goes My Baby," "Don't Leave Me This Way," "Lonesome Town," "I Got a Feeling," "Cindy," "One of These Mornings," "It's Late," "Old Enough to Love," "Trying to Get to You," "Gloomy Sunday," "Be True to Me," "Restless Kid," "You Tear Me Up," "Never Be Anyone Else But You," "Brand New Girl," "I Can't Help It" (1959) "Just a Little Too Much," "Sweeter Than You," "I've Been Thinkin'," "One Minute to One," "So Long," "That's All," "It Had to Be You," "Blood From a Stone," "You're So Fine," "You'll Never Know What You're Missin'," "Don't Leave Me", "A Long Vacation," "Half Breed," "Hey Pretty Baby," "How Long is Forever," "My One Desire," "Make Believe," "Mighty Good," "I Wanna Be Loved"With Bobby Lee Trammell: "Shirley Lee" and "I Sure Do Love You Baby".. width="425" height="350" ..

Movies:

Carnival Rock (1957), did a movie with David Houston in '56 as well but forgot the name of it, but think it was Teenage Thunder

Television:

Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Louisiana Hayride (on radio) Ricky Nelson-Believe What You Say

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My Blog

I’m featured in the latest issue of Blue Suede News magazine

The summer issue, 83 of Blue Suede News is currently on sale, and I have a three page article in it about my career. Sheree Homer wrote it.It is available for sale at www. bluesuedenews. com.The price...
Posted by James Kirkland on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:32:00 PST

Bobby Lee Trammell obit

Bobby Lee TrammellJONESBORO  Bobby Lee Trammell, 74, of Jonesboro passed away onWednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, at his home.Mr. Trammell was a former Arkansas state representative, a musicianand a member o...
Posted by James Kirkland on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:24:00 PST

R.I.P. Bobby Lee Trammell

Trammell a pioneer in musicby Curt Hodges JONESBORO  "Mr. Arkansas Twist" has died. Bobby Lee Trammell, the iconic rock 'n' roller of the 1950s and '60s, was found dead at his home Wednesday evening ...
Posted by James Kirkland on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:20:00 PST

article about me on ReallyRockabilly.com

http://www.reallyrockabilly.com/article.php?id=71 Thanks Kitti!
Posted by James Kirkland on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:10:00 PST

photos just added

Just added some vintage photos of me as well as photos from the show I recently did in California. Enjoy!
Posted by James Kirkland on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:58:00 PST

Help me get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Please sign the petition to get me inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thanks. Here's the link: http://www.petitiononline.com/jkirk/petition.html...
Posted by James Kirkland on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:50:00 PST

My Upcoming Show in California, tickets now on sale

Official Press Release posted by Suzy Dughi Yes the tickets are on sale now and you DO NOT want to miss this once in a lifetime chance to see the coolest rockabilly upright bassist on the planet play ...
Posted by James Kirkland on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 02:51:00 PST

Help save internet radio by signing this petition

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveinternetradio/
Posted by James Kirkland on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 03:12:00 PST

live shows with Rick Nelson

I was just asked about the live shows with Rick. Well, we used to open always with What'd I Say and end with Poor Little Fool. We played the songs exactly the way they were played on record, with one ...
Posted by James Kirkland on Sat, 24 Mar 2007 07:58:00 PST

see previous blog post

I forgot to add the website where you can make song requests. Sorry about that. The address is http://www.xmfan.com/. Thanks. See previous blog for more details.
Posted by James Kirkland on Sun, 18 Mar 2007 01:10:00 PST