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The Journal Herald Feb 2, 1996 |
This time around we have our first submission from Drums, PA: Jimmy James, a country singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recordist. He's what I would call a back porch flatpicking kind of guy. He keeps his music rather simple (usually around the I, IV, and V) and is hoping for a break in the country music business. Jimmy does a "one man band" show, but is looking for interested parties to back him (see number below). Jimmy submitted a finished 12 song tape from Mountain Home Records, an appropriate name for his 8 track home recording studio in Drums. Jimmy plays many of the instruments on his recordings, including fiddle, guitar, drums, bass and lead guitar. Occasionally, he will invite other players to sit in, like drummer Ivan Justofin or keyboardist Steve Bingham (both local musicians). Jimmy's songs are typical country: women, pickup lines and pickup trucks. From a technical standpoint, this tape is put together well. The musicianship is tight, the production fair. Several songs, like Baby Wrote Me and Three Time Loser, feature some hot Honky Tonk guitar picking. But at times Jimmy's voice lacks dynamics, like the monotone of Out of Gas, the pickup truck song. Lonely Girl is a trite tune with predictable rhymes. It doesn't make much sense: the singer has the girl, sends her away, then wonders why she's gone and wants her again. Is this guy manic depressive or what? My two favorite songs where Old Ice Box and Little White Stove, two very fun songs. Some neat songs have been written about the strangest things, as these songs exemplify. While I doubt Old Ice Box will hit platinum, Weird Al might consider recording it. Little White Stove is similar in composition, but it might be better to put these songs on different collections. Otherwise, your attention is drawn to the fact that someone has actually taken time to write two songs about home appliances. If anything, these songs have entertainment value and are good for a chuckle. Jimmy says he's been performing in this area since 1964, meeting with varying degrees of success. It has been challenging at best for him to distribute his music and make a living from it. A couple of his singles received airplay in the US and Europe, but nothing ground breaking. Recently, one of his songs was placed on a compilation in Texas, but he is still waiting for a response. For those who may not know what a compilation is, it's a form of marketing music where a company will put your music on an album with other music and then shop the collection around to record companies and publishers. Often this is a money making scheme for the company that puts it together, with very little, if any, actual distribution, but I imagine there are a few legitimate services. Jimmy has been working with booking agents and has been to Nashville and Kentucky and other country music centers promoting his tunes, meeting with typical music business runaround and payola. Jimmy hasn't been submitting his music to record labels, and considers doing so a dead end. I have to agree, since the time, resources and cash that go into such submissions rarely show much return. As a result, many musicians (and this is one suggestion for Jimmy) are distributing their own material, cutting out the middleman, via internet distribution or direct mail order. |
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Jimmy says there are people in the country music business who are looking for exactly what he has, but they are focused on the younger country music fans and dance bands that cater to the modern market. Jimmy's music is definitely not what's on the radio now, and lacks dance character. It is reminiscent of 50s and 60s style country, Buck Owens and the like. But country is more vibrant these days, taking lessons from rock. It's also more sincere, taking lessons from folk. Jimmy seems to be stuck in a steel guitar/pickup truck paradigm. I have a few criticisms for Jimmy James. His tape is well packaged, (typical of Disc Makers and similar companies that mass produce recordings) but I think he should give credit to his musicians on the jacket liner when necessary. Also, nothing affects a reviewer's perception more than an artist's initial phone call or cover letter. Jimmy may want to take some lessons from our upcoming Music Business Special Reports and marketing ideas to polish his cover letter and improve his image. Musical content is another area where I think Jimmy may need some help. He has something good here, maybe it's the aura of the era when this sound was popular. But as a songwriter, I'm interested to know two things: Why do people continue to write songs about these trite themes? Why does the public eat this stuff up? I guess some artists can present these universal themes very well and reap the rewards. I just find that many of these songs lose their personality; they don't say anything. I hope Jimmy doesn't take it personally; it's more a criticism of the style than his music specifically, but it may explain some of the difficulty he has had in succeeding with this style. But all is not lost. My Mom liked the tape, showing people may be interested in what Jimmy is doing if he gets the right exposure. For now Jimmy is working on some new material that he says is more like modern country. It's nice to see that he isn't afraid to grow and keep up with the times. Perhaps after reworking some of his tunes, he will be a very competent candidate for country music success. In the future you may see Jimmy in a duo or some other musical situation. He wanted to mention that he is looking for serious minded people who want to perform music for a living, something he has been hard pressed to find. Anyone interested in performing with Jimmy James can call 717 788-2442. As I bring this installment to a close, I just want to say that I listen to everything that comes in, to see what's out there locally and to become exposed to new things. I'd like to send out an extra special thanks to those who have submitted work, but we can always use MORE SUBMISSIONS... |