From The Kingbees to 'Straight Up': Inside Jamie James' Decades Long Journey Through Rock'n'Roll
We had the pleasure of speaking with veteran guitarist and songwriter Jamie James to talk about the making of his latest release, Straight Up, his time with The Kingbees, his experience working with legends like Harry Dean Stanton and Dennis Quaid, and more.
With a career spanning over five decades, Jamie James has carved out a revered place in American rock history. Best known as the frontman of the early ’80s rockabilly trio The Kingbees, James has continued to evolve as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, collaborating with legendary actors and musicians including Harry Dean Stanton and Dennis Quaid, with whom he toured and recorded for nearly 20 years as part of Dennis Quaid & The Sharks.
A veteran of the stage and studio, James brings a deep sense of musicality and craftsmanship to every project, blending blues, rockabilly, and Americana with timeless authenticity. His latest solo album, Straight Up, is a reflection of his vast experience and ever-present creative spark.
In this exclusive interview, Jamie James talks to Musicngear about the making of the new record, his deep-rooted approach to guitar playing, the lessons learned from his high-profile collaborations, and his enduring passion for music.
Chris Roditis, Musicngear: Straight Up’ blends your rockabilly and blues roots with a fresh sound. How did you approach the production and arrangement of this record to achieve that balance?
We basically recorded the 10 tracks live in one afternoon, like doing a concert performance, which I think gives it that fresh, live energy. I then went back in to add a couple of electric guitar parts as well as a few minimal vocal harmonies, but I wanted to keep that live, fresh feel.
As far as vintage sound, we are all septuagenarians (in our 70s), so that must be where the vintage sound comes from.
Musicngear: Gear has always been central to your tone. What did you use for this album, and did you incorporate any new instruments or recording techniques into the process?
Yes, I’ve always been a gear nut, so to speak. On this album, I used a 1954 Martin Guitars D-28 and a 1966 Fender Stratocaster through a 1960 Fender Vibrolux amp. I also played a Hohner Marine Band harmonica through a small Fender amp.
Musicngear: "Let The Praying Begin" carries a strong emotional weight. How did you shape the song’s dynamics and instrumentation to match its lyrical themes?
I wanted a driving acoustic guitar riff to move the song’s intro, and once I came up with that chord movement, the kind of blues/funk strumming fell into place on the verses.
On the choruses, I wanted a slightly more moody feel, so I shifted to picking a minor mode on the guitar instead of strumming a major mode like on the verses. I think the combination of the major/minor modes works well in this song.
Musicngear: You've played in a variety of musical settings, from The Kingbees' rockabilly sound to your work with Dennis Quaid & The Sharks and now your solo record. Do you feel your approach to the guitar has changed over the years, or have you stayed true to the same core philosophy?
I consider myself a perpetual student of the guitar. For example, lately, I’ve been on an Antonio Carlos Jobim kick, learning a lot of his Bossa Nova guitar-playing style. I’ve been playing guitar since 1966, so I have indeed picked up many different styles and sounds over the years.
However, my approach has always been the same, with love from the heart and soul, always.
Musicngear: You’ve reunited with longtime bandmates for this record. How did that dynamic influence the recording process, and how does it compare to your early days playing together?
Our experience of having played so many shows together in all kinds of different circumstances made us into a true musical unit. We know each other and trust each other musically.
I am a big fan of drummer Tom Walsh, bass player Tom Mancillas, and keyboardist Ken Stange. Our love for music is our bond.
Musicngear: Longevity in the music industry is no small feat. What has been the key to sustaining your career for decades, what have been the toughest obstacles you've faced along the way, and what advice would you give to younger musicians aiming for a lifelong music career?
My undying love for playing guitar, singing, and songwriting keeps me going every day. It really doesn’t feel any different today than it did in 1966! I think one of the toughest obstacles is trusting the songwriting process.
I go through dry spells; thoughts like “Will I ever write again” or whatever tend to pop up, but that’s where love and faith come into play. We have to keep the faith, we musicians!
Musicngear: You spent nearly a decade making music with Harry Dean Stanton. What was that creative dynamic like, and do you have a favorite memory or lesson from working with him?
I loved every note Harry and I played together; whether on stage or at his house, he always kept me on my toes. So, I would have to say all my musical time with Harry was my fav.
Musicngear: With Dennis Quaid & The Sharks, you spent almost 20 years recording and touring. What drew you to that collaboration, and how did working with Dennis influence you as a musician?
When Dennis and I first met (through Harry), it was apparent right away to both of us that we had a lot in common musically. Dennis is a very creative, very good songwriter, and I found that very inspiring to me not just as a guitar player but as a songwriter as well.
Musicngear: With over four decades in the industry, you’ve seen rock and rockabilly evolve. Where do you think these genres stand today, and what excites you most about the current state of music?
I think that Rock, Rock n Roll, Rockabilly, Country Rock, whatever you want to classify it as, will always be rooted in the blues, expressing feelings, all kinds of feelings with love and passion. A sound that unites us and brings us together in joy for a few minutes.
I don’t think it’s any different today, honestly.
Musicngear: You’ve had a pretty incredible journey in the music world—if you could write a memoir, what would be the title of your book?
Keep On Rockin’!
Connect with Jamie James
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Listen to Jamie James' full album 'Straight Up'
About Chris Roditis
Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.
Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@kinkl.com
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