JAMES HOUSE

If I had my way, every road had been right one; every burden been a light one, every chance the one to take.

If I had my way, I'd found everything I was missin', wouldn't have a need for wishin'; wouldn't want for better days.

But if I had my way, I never would've learned the lessons of the struggle or the blessings in the hurt.

I would've lost the moment when I found a little faith

God knows where I'd be, if I had my way.

True words from a man who has seen the highs, lows and everything in between the business of music and life itself can deal out – a man who has seen his name at the top of the charts, beside a Grammy nomination and on year-end top 10 lists of music critics – a man who has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music. Those words are from one of Nashville's most accomplished singers, songwriters and entertainers, James House.

His latest work provides a snapshot into a life of hard living, love lost and love found, hope, faith, family.  A celebrated writer in his own right, James co-wrote Grammy and CMA-nominated songs "Broken Wing" for Martina McBride and Dwight Yoakam's "Ain't That Lonely Yet."

"What ever I'm going through gets reflected into my songs " said James. 

Born and raised in Sacramento, James grew up in a musical family who ranched cattle and grew alfalfa during the day and jammed together on the front porch at night. His father and uncles sang country music, but like most kids his age, James was more interested in rock. He started performing as a solo acoustic act and then formed his own group, the House Band, and played up and down the west coast eventually landing a record deal. 

He never felt quite comfortable with the musical direction he was headed, and one night while living in Los Angeles he caught the CMA Awards on TV. "I knew that's where I needed to be, and I just started writing like crazy," he remembers. "I went in the studio to demo the songs and didn't even tell my publisher." His publisher supported what James was doing and recommended he make the move to Nashville.

James took the advice and headed east. Not long after the move, he was signed to MCA Records, where he began a string of chart hits like "Don't Quit Me Now" and "Hard Times For An Honest Man." A switch to Epic Nashville produced the critically-acclaimed Days Gone By album and yielded the hits "This Is Me Missing You," "Real Good Way To Wind Up Lonesome" and "Little By Little." 

The success James was realizing on the charts – both as an artist and as a writer - and on the road didn't lead to happiness internally.  He decided to take some time , step back and to  look at where he had been, where he  was, and most importantly, where he was going.

"I was letting the business define me," recalls James, adding "I tried to play the game to support myself; I wasn't writing with any clear direction. I really struggled through that for a while,  it just me  took me  a while to get comfortable in my own skin again.

If I had my way, I'd a never touched a bottle, never found that a couple swallows could numb most anything.

If I had my way, I'd a never let love leave, never felt a pain so deep, I'd never cried so many tears.

If I had my way, I never would've known there's a strength in admitting that you can't let go

I would've lost the moment when I found a little faith

God knows where I'd be, if I had my way.

James had had enough and was ready to pack it all up, move out to Oregon and be content playing clubs and writing songs . "I let go of the whole deal,"  he recalls. 

 But with the support of his family and friends he began a new faze of his  musical journey. He decided to put a home studio in his house in Nashville  and began writing and recording again with renewed purpose. 

If I had my way, I never would've believed that you can get through anything when you're down on your knees.

I would've lost the moment when I found a little faith

God knows where I'd be, if I had my way.

The result is the just released and criticley acclaimed five song EP  "Home 1" The most personal collection of songs James has ever recorded. 

  Songs include the autobiographical and introspective "If I Had My Way" the hopeful "Still in the Game" the laid back southern feeling  of "Back to Memphis" 

The driving, bluegrass sound of  "Forgotten" which reunites James with "Broken Wing"  co/writer Phil Barnhart  and "What about You" has that classic southwest feel that makes you wanna drive forever looking for love. 

James knows everything he has been through in his life – the triumph and tragedy, pain and healing - has brought him to this very moment. 

   JamesHousemusic.com