“I'm Just Getting Started” Jim St. James Keeps His Muse Burning
“Tell the truth. The songs that last aren’t the ones trying to impress people; they are the ones that help people to recognize themselves,” James.
By Ralph Heibutzki
Songs have ways of appearing from the ether – and when they do, it just makes sense to go with flow, as singer-songwriter Jim St. James knows well.
It's the way he came to write one of his signature songs, “Amelia,” a tribute to the pioneering aviator – who disappeared in 1937, while trying to fly around the world.
The song appears on his album, Guitars And Radios (2008), and the aviator's memorial website,ameliaearhart.com/.
“It wasn't something I really set out to do,” St. James said. “When I was a kid, I would see Amelia Earhart stuff on television. I lived in Texas for awhile, by Amelia Earhart Park – and in Los Angeles, real close to another Amelia Earhart Park.”
Intrigued, St. James began learning all he could about Earhart, inspired by a larger theme – the unexpected turns that destiny takes, for those hoping to fulfill it,“She set the stage, so that we would know/Gender is not what drives, it's the courage to go.”
“I was like, 'What's this Amelia thing following me around?'” St. James recalls. “Lo and behold, I went to the library, and I wrote this song. None of us know how that's going to happen, when our time comes.
“A Motivating Piece”
St. James didn't have to look far for inspiration, while growing up in Gary, IN – the home of Michael Jackson and siblings, who conquered the pop and R&B worlds, in one way or another.
“Michael Jackson was a few years older than I was – we used to ride our bikes past the house, which is actually on Jackson Street, and say, 'Man, if it could happen for them – this could happen for us,'” said St. James, laughing. “It was a motivating piece, which is really cool.”
Another powerful influence came from St. James's father, an amateur drummer who always had the radio going.
“I listened to Chicago AM pop radio, which was quite the melting pot of mixes – (plus) R&B, old Motown stuff, and folk. That's kind of how it started. And I learned how to play the guitar, slowly but surely, over the years, “
St. James began writing songs from his late teens – following the same “learn by doing” process he credits with developing his guitar style.
“I took lessons, and it just didn't work for me – I was more excited playing from the heart and soul. I do a lot of percussive guitar, tapping and banging while I play, which is an interesting thing in itself. That's something people like, and it keeps me from being in the standard envelope,” he said.
Jim St James
“I'm Just Getting Started”
St. James's career has taken him to festivals, house concerts, and listening rooms across the Gulf Coast, Midwest, and Southwest –influenced by such classic singer-songwriters as Jimmy Buffett, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, John Denver, and Gordin Lightfoot.
His career took a decisive turn in 1998, when he moved to Nashville, “threw myself into the abyss, and spent the first few years not playing anywhere,” he recalls. “I went to writer's rounds, open mics – just studied, studied, and studied. That's the period where Guitars And Radios was born.”
Another high point came in 2007, with the release of his single, “Caroline,” which reached #1 on the Roots Music Report, where it stayed for 12 weeks.
The momentum prompted several albums, available through major streaming services like Amazon, and Apple, along with his website,jimstjames.com/music.
His new release, Open Road Original Session will be available on all platforms on May 21. It's the first of four road – highway-oriented songs planned for release to radio stations nationwide, between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, during this year's travel and vacation season.
St. James is currently remastering his catalog, with an emphasis on re-releasing its keynote songs as singles. “We're in an era where they don't put CD players in cars anymore, and it's all about the digital age. With the back catalog that I have, I could release singles forever,” he said.
As challenging as the digital landscape feels, it doesn't compare to what St. James weathered on the tours of his youth – like the venue that burned down before he arrived, for instance.
“You're like, I got $80 left, my next gig's not for four days, and I gotta drive 150 miles,” said St. James. “You get there (to the next venue), and they're like, We're really sorry, we double-booked today!”
St. James's advice to musicians “Every no needs to be a yes,” is grounded in those situations, where the next gig – or next dollar – is never a given.
“None of those disappointments ever stopped me,” said St. James. “I just love music so much, I love writing, and I love audiences. I love performing, making people think, moving their emotions, and their hearts. I'm 65. I'm just getting started.”