James is a native Texan, who grew up in east Dallas. He has been married to Wendy for 19 years and has two children, Jessica and Austin. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Forney for 13 years. He is the lead mandolin player for the Strings of Faith and sings baritone. He started playing music around the age of 8, when his family gave him and his sister organ and piano lessons. He played trombone from elementary school all the way through high school at Bryan Adams. He got his first guitar at age 16 and his first mandolin at age 19 and has played in 2 other bands, a country band and a western swing band. James’ mandolin influences range from Bill Monroe (who he got to meet in the early 80’s) to Sam Bush of New Grass Revival and Tim O’Brien of Hot Rize and Chris Thile. James plays a 2006 Collings MF mandolin, a 1985 Kentucky KM100 mandolin and a 1996 Larrivee guitar. He uses John Pearse strings and Kyser capo’s.
GOD and Family…..the Two most important things in life.
Favorite Bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11