Artist to Watch: James Wesley

“Real” isn’t just the title of newcomer James Wesley’s current single; it’s the way he wants to make his music - focusing on real life and the people who are living those lives day in and day out. It’s a way of life he is very familiar with growing up in Mound Valley, a small community located in Southeastern Kansas filled with hard working folks.

As a child, James was first drawn to country music due to his grandmother’s love of the music and usually spent weekends combing through her classic country collection of records which included the likes of such legends as George Jones, Ray Price and Marty Robbins. However, it was his mother who discovered James’ burgeoning singing talent as she would overhear her son singing in his bedroom. She encouraged him to take his vocal ability and put it to good use in church, which he did. Soon, James added to his musical repertoire and taught himself how to play the guitar. As a teenager, he took his music out of church and began playing the local nightclubs dreaming of the day when could take his music on the road.

James made his first major step in pursuing his music career professionally when he moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas where he had snagged a role in a nightly music and variety show. Romance also found its way into James’ life during this time as he met his future wife Mindee. Along with her in tow, the singer decided it was to time to lay it all on the line and make the move to Nashville. Once there, he began working in construction to support his new wife and their growing family all the while trying to learn the ins and outs of the music business in his free time.

James’ music career began moving forward when he met producer Dan Frizsell and songwriter Rodney Clawson, the writer of such hits as George Strait’s “I Saw God Today” and a number of Jason Aldean’s singles including “Johnny Cash” and “Amarillo Sky." The trio started recording together and the product from those sessions caught the ears of the executives at Broken Bow Records. The label soon signed the singer and released his debut single “Jackson Hole” shortly after. The song peaked at 41, and although he didn’t quite make it into the Top 40, it encouraged James that he had made the right decision to follow his dreams. Currently, “Real,” the follow-up to “Jackson Hole,” is climbing the charts. For more information on James Wesley, check out his official website.

Image courtesy of Broken Bow Records

Nikita Palmer for Citadel Digital © 2010

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