James, how did you get started in music?
My parents paid my older brother who got both trumpet and guitar lessons a dollar an hour to teach me guitar. So I learned what it felt like to play the instrument quite young. Then I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and that really got my attention.
You are a solo artist, correct?
Yes, these days I perform mostly solo. It’s the only way I can keep the overhead low enough to survive. Recording is a different thing entirely!
So, what genre do you play?
That’s always a difficult question to answer. In the very broadest sense it could be called “Rock”.Really. it’s a melody-driven, song-centric cross section of musical styles.
You mentioned the Beatles, who else has been your inspiration?
Artists that have followed and stayed true to their own muse. The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Sting, Zeppelin, the list is enormous.
What inspired you to write your last song?
The song is called, “Don’t know that.” The idea that when the self-evident eludes us, things can get pretty difficult. Sort of a “we can be our own worst enemy” thing.
What are some of the new things that are going on?
My new album “Tempest in a Teacup” is being well received and is deeply gratifying. And I’m currently booking tours. I’m planning to make it to the east coast in 2010. Since I do a lot of my writing while I’m on the road I end up with lots of songs piling up. Right now I’m sketching a bunch of them with an eye toward another album in 2010. We’re also getting ready to shoot the second video from “Tempest in a teacup”.
Where do you play?
I play concerts, listening rooms, galleries, and coffeehouses for the most part. Mostly on the West coast or the southwest U.S. I’ve also done a couple tours of England as well and loved it.
What’s your web site?
My website is www.jameshurleymusic.com ….that’s where I go to find out what I’m up to and where I’m supposed to be!
Do you have any words of wisdom?
A couple of things…to my fellow musicians, Remember that the song is “the boss” and don’t take it so seriously you forget to have fun. To my fans, Only my deepest thanks for making it possible to make some sort of a living doing this!
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