BIO :
Born
in Phoenix, Arizona, Pat James was only
9 years old when he had his first guitar lesson. What started out as a
hobby soon became a passion. As early as 13, he knew that he might
eventually be a musician, and he knew beyond any doubt that he would be
a singer.
Contrary to the trend among his youthful peers, Pat was captivated by
true country music. During his high school years, he took classical
guitar classes and acquired the solid foundation of a good musician,
although he spent much of his free time pursuing his own style of music
- true country.
At a time dominated by hip hop, hard rock and rap music, Pat sang songs
by Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams Jr. His voice and
style convinced even the most skeptical listener that true country
music had a lot to offer, and his young friends began to appreciate it
through him. As a result, he was frequently asked to sing his country
songs at their parties and dances.
Chance led Pat to the stage: invited to a club by friends, they
encouraged him to sing with the local band that was ignored by the club
patrons. Nervously, he agreed. Soon, everyone was dancing, enthusiasm
was rampant, and the crowd would not allow Pat to leave the stage. The
club was so impressed that they offered Pat a permanent job, but he
declined for lack of his own band. Some time later, he met a guitar
player who told him about a band looking for a singer/guitar player. It
was then he landed a spot with his first country band. This all new
band, the Blue Spur Band, recorded a demo tape of four songs to
audition with. The first club that heard the tape hired them
immediately. Some of those musicians, like steel guitar player, Danny
Sneed, are still with him today.
On two different occasions, Pat has been invited to Nashville to record
for producers impressed by his talent. Unwilling to compromise his
style, he turned down the offers he received and returned to Arizona
somewhat disappointed, but with a better understanding of the Nashville
music industry. Pat James is "all about" true country and western music
and does not identify with the country pop sound of modern Nashville.
Pat
James has been featured on various TV Shows, including "Good Morning
Arizona",
and has opened for such acts as Doug Supernaw and Asleep At The
Wheel. Other performers have joined Pat on stage from time to
time, including Lou Rawls and members of The Sons of the San
Joaquin. On an unexpected visit shortly before his death, even Waylon
himself could not help but smile and nod his approval at
Pat's rendition of "Good Hearted Woman."
Out of state performances include shows in Fort Worth, Texas at the
famed "White Elephant Saloon" and the "Rio Hotel and Casino"
in Las Vegas. In 2004 and 2005, Pat has been the headliner of many
festivals in Europe. He also performed at the "Planet Hollywood" in
Paris, France, and in Amarillo, Texas at the "2004 & 2005 Coors
Cowboy
Roundup Rodeo Ranch" and at "Grahams Central Station".
In March 2005, he released his second CD "It's My Life",
recorded
and mixed at Chaton Studio in Phoenix by Otto D'Agnolo, Emmy
award winning producer/engineer/writer.
Read more at : www.patjames.net
REVIEWS :
"...If anyone ever asks me again what country music is, this is it. This is country ... hard boiled, Texas styled country music ...This is country in the tradition of Haggard and Price, of a time long gone, traditional ... and the man knows from where he comes ... exquisite!..."
"...Involuntary reaction: Yeehaw! Wow, Pat James has got the old school country sound down to - what it is - an art form..."
"...I've finally found a young country singer from outside of my home state of Texas that is a HOSS ! I can now excitedly add Pat James to today's list of shufflemasters..."
"...Pat's Elvis tinged but wonderfully rustic voice jerks tears from your eyes in "Farewell Party" while "I'm Gonna Be A Cowboy" will have you s**t kickin' all night..."
"...While on Pat's site, I clicked on a song clip, "When I See Her Again" (I liked the title). I heard the first 3 notes he sang and that was all it took... I was in love with "the voice"!..."
Read more at : www.patjames.net