Casey James Explained

Casey James
Birth Name:Casey Everett James
Birth Date:31 May 1982
Birth Place:Plano, Texas
Origin:Fort Worth, Texas,
Instrument:Vocals, guitar, mandolin
Genre:Pop, country, rock, blues
Occupation:Singer, songwriter
Years Active:2008–present
Label:BNA (2010-12)
19 (2010-2015)
Columbia (2012-2015)
Website:www.caseyjamesoffical.com

Casey Everett James (born May 31, 1982)[1] is an American singer and guitarist who was the third-place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol and is an independent recording artist.[2] He released his eponymous album in March 2012 from which three singles, "Let's Don't Call It a Night", "Crying on a Suitcase", and "The Good Life" were released. In October 2014, James released "Fall Apart" as the first single from a planned second studio album, but Sony opted not to release the record and they split ways. In 2017, James released his second album, Strip It Down, to critical acclaim.

Early life

James was born on May 31, 1982, in Plano, Texas, to Debra "Bybee" and Beau James.[3] The family moved to Princeton, Texas, but after his parents divorced when James was about four, his mother raised him and his brother Billy Cole in Cool, Texas.[4] James had a bad reaction to his pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine when he was an infant, and his family feared brain damage.[5] [6] [7] According to his mother, however, she realized that he would be all right and was going to be musical when he started humming the theme song from M*A*S*H.[6]

James started playing the guitar at 13 and within a year was playing on stage. James has played acoustic sets with his mother, and blues with his older brother. He has also played with country and rock bands.[8] [9] At the age of 21, he was in a serious motorcycle accident that nearly ended his life. He was told by his doctor that he would no longer be able to play guitar, a medical prediction that proved untrue.[10] During the American Idol hometown visits, James returned to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and presented an autographed guitar to his surgeon, Dr. Cory Collinge.[11]

Before American Idol, he played with his band, The Casey James Band, consisting of James, his brother, Billy Cole (bass), and Jacy McCann (drums). They recorded four songs, including the first song that James ever wrote, "Freezing," back in 2002.

Musical influences

James cites blues guitarist Doyle Bramhall II as a major musical influence and whom he would most like to perform with in his Idol Q&A.<ref name="AI-contCJ"/> Another major influence is Stevie Ray Vaughan; James named Vaughan's In the Beginning (1992) as a formative album in his early years.

I got an album called “In the Beginning” and I learned every note on it, which was easier to do because it was early on in his career [it was recorded in 1980]. I learned all those notes and it opened me up to the blues. When you look what he was doing, a lot of it was covers, and then you go back and start listening to those guys -- the originals Albert King, Freddie King, Albert Collins -- those influences changed me, too.

Other influences cited in the article are southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and Pearl Jam.[12]

American Idol

James was a contestant on American Idol during its ninth season. He made it to the Top 3 before being eliminated on May 19, 2010. James had tried out for and been selected to compete in the ninth season of Idol in 2009 in spite of the fact that he had never seen the show.[13] He was the oldest contestant to be selected for the Top 24 of the ninth season at the age of 27. James was voted off of the competition on May 19, 2010, and finished in third place. During the finale of American Idol, he performed a duet of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" with Bret Michaels.[14]

USA Today music critic Brian Mansfield suggested that James was "the best guitar player the show [''American Idol''] has seen."[15]

Performances

EpisodeThemeSong choiceOriginal artistOrder #Result
AuditionN/A"Slow Dancing in a Burning Room"John MayerN/AAdvanced
HollywoodFirst Solo"I Don't Need No Doctor"Ray CharlesN/AAdvanced
HollywoodGroup Round"Closer"Ne-YoN/AAdvanced
HollywoodSecond Solo"Bubbly"Colbie CaillatN/AAdvanced
Top 24 (12 Men)Billboard Hot 100 Hits"Heaven"Bryan Adams11Safe
Top 20 (10 Men)"I Don't Want to Be"Gavin DeGraw3Safe
Top 16 (8 Men)"You'll Think of Me"Keith Urban5Safe
Top 12The Rolling Stones"It's All Over Now"The Valentinos3Safe
Top 11Billboard Number 1 Hits"The Power of Love"Huey Lewis and the News9Safe
Top 10R&B/Soul"Hold On, I'm Comin'"Sam & Dave2Safe
Top 9Lennon–McCartney"Jealous Guy"John Lennon7Safe
Top 9Elvis Presley"Lawdy Miss Clawdy"Lloyd Price9Safe
Top 7Inspirational"Don't Stop"Fleetwood Mac1Bottom 3
Top 6Shania Twain"Don't!"Shania Twain3Bottom 3
Top 5Frank Sinatra"Blue Skies"Belle Baker2Safe
Top 4Songs of the CinemaSolo "Mrs. Robinson" — The GraduateSimon & Garfunkel4Safe
Duet "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" — Don Juan DeMarco with Michael LyncheBryan Adams6
Top 3Contestant's Choice"OK, It's Alright with Me"Eric Hutchinson1Eliminated
Judge's Choice"Daughters"John Mayer4

Post-Idol

James joined the rest of the Top 10 on the American Idols LIVE! tour. His four-song set included "I Got Mine" by The Black Keys, "Don't" by Shania Twain, "It's All Over Now" by Bobby Womack, and "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" by Bryan Adams alongside fellow contestant Michael Lynche.

In March 2011 he opened for Sugarland on their The Incredible Machine Tour[16] and has been playing other solo and opening gigs including performing at the ACM Awards fan party[17] and 2011 CMA Fest.[18]

2012: Casey James

On August 17, 2010, it was announced that James had signed with Sony Music Nashville and his debut album would be released on BNA Records/19 in 2011.[19] Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton said: "We at Sony Music Nashville are incredibly excited about signing CASEY JAMES. I flew to NEW YORK to see him 'live' with the American Idol Tour and I was blown away with his voice, guitar playing and stage presence...and so were the thousands of fans in the amphitheatre. He has honed his skills as a showman with his years of performing live on stage! I can't wait to get him into the studio to begin recording his debut album."[20] James worked with country songwriter Tom Douglas. Douglas has said of James that "he's the real deal. He's a great singer and great guitar player, so I'm looking forward to writing with him."[21] James collaborated with some of country music's notable songwriters including Aimee Mayo,[22] Alabama's Randy Owen, Sugarland's Kristian Bush, and Delbert McClinton,[23]

James first single, "Let's Don't Call It a Night", was released on August 15, 2011, and sold 5,000 copies in its debut week.[24] James co-wrote "Let's Don't Call It a Night" with Brice Long and Terry McBride.[25] James' self-titled debut CD was released on March 20, 2012, on BNA Records. James co-wrote nine of the CD's eleven tracks and co-produced the CD with Chris Lindsey.[26]

On June 4, 2012, James was moved to Columbia Nashville, another division of Sony Music Nashville, after the closure of BNA Records.[27] Shortly after, his second single "Crying on a Suitcase" was released on June 18, with a music video released in August.

2014-present

In October 2014, James released "Fall Apart" as the first single from a second studio album.[28] However, Sony decided not to release this album and James and Sony separated. As an independent artist, James launched a Kickstarter in October 2016 to raise at least $30,000 for his new album,[29] and surpassed this goal.[30] The album, Strip It Down, received rave reviews. Rainey Wetnight of Blues Blast Magazine called the album "outstanding" and highlighted the track "Bulletproof", which features Delbert McClinton.[31]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/pid/3323/ "Happy Birthday, Casey James and Michael Lynche"
  2. Web site: Casey James: Independent Studio Album. Kickstarter. August 12, 2017.
  3. Web site: Happy 30th Birthday To Casey James – Watch A Very Special Tribute Video To Casey From A Fan Named Ana . The Country Site . May 31, 2011 . January 9, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140706010817/http://thecountrysite.com/2012/05/31/happy-29th-birthday-to-casey-jones-watch-a-very-special-tribute-video-to-casey-from-a-fan-named-ana/ . July 6, 2014 . dead .
  4. Web site: In-Depth Interview with Casey James' Mother, Debra "Bybee" James -- Part One . https://archive.today/20130217032417/http://voices.yahoo.com/in-depth-interview-casey-james-mother-debra-bybee-6401020.html . dead . February 17, 2013 . Shari Geller . Yahoo! Voices . July 14, 2010 .
  5. http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/casey_james/ "Casey James - Season 9 Contestants - American Idol"
  6. Rolling Stones Episode . American Idol . American Idol (season 9) . Fox . March 16, 2010 . Nine.
  7. News: 'American Idol': Top 12 perform . Kelber . Sarah . Baltimore Sun . March 16, 2010 . March 17, 2010.
  8. Montgomery, James (May 19, 2010). "'American Idol' Finalist Casey James Was Always 'A Throwback' - News Story". MTV Networks.
  9. Web site: You can go home . Cluett . Libby . May 15, 2010 . Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX . Community Newspaper Holdings.
  10. Web site: Casey James Profile: Can The Sex Symbol Become 'Idol' Champ? . https://web.archive.org/web/20100316235242/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633834/20100312/story.jhtml . dead . March 16, 2010 . Cantiello . Jim . MTV . March 12, 2010 . March 17, 2010.
  11. http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/05/15/casey-james-idol-texas-homecoming/ "Casey James's Sleepless (and Emotional) Texas-Sized Homecoming"
  12. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/05/casey-james-the-soundtrack-to-my-life.html "Casey James: The soundtrack to my life."
  13. Web site: Casey James turns into a triple threat with Gavin DeGraw and his guitar . USA Today: Idol Chatter . March 2, 2010 . March 17, 2010.
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/20100606165914/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/06/03/bret-michaels-casey-james/ "Bret Michaels And Casey James Hit It Off Right Away: The MTV News Quote Of The Day"
  15. News: Here's the scoop on the 'American Idol' Chosen 12 . Mansfield . Brian . March 12, 2010 . March 17, 2010 . USA Today . Casey James: Arguably the broadest musical background of the 12 and best guitar player the show has seen..
  16. Web site: Casey James to open for Sugarland . Mansfield . Brian . Idol Chatter . USA Today, a division of Gannett . January 27, 2011.
  17. Web site: Rihanna to Join Country Acts Partying with Sugarland at ACM Fan Jam . acmcountry.com . Academy of Country Music . September 27, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927050235/http://www.acmcountry.com/events/fanjam.php . September 27, 2011 .
  18. Web site: Casey James at CMA Music Fest 2011 . lineup.cmaworld.com . Country Music Association . September 27, 2011.
  19. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/08/its-official-casey-james-signs-with-sony-music-nashville/1 "It's official: Casey James signs with Sony Music Nashville"
  20. http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/79465/casey-james-signs-with-19-recordings-bna-records "Casey James Signs With 19 Recordings/BNA Records"
  21. Web site: Reznor, Rahman, Zimmer & More React to Their Oscar Nominations . January 25, 2011 . Herrera . Monica . Lipshutz . Jason . Mapes . Jillian . Billboard.com . Prometheus Global Media.
  22. Web site: ACE Title Search . ascap.com . . September 27, 2011 .
  23. Web site: Casey James playing his way back home . Cluett . Libby . May 25, 2011 . Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX . Community Newspaper Holdings.
  24. Web site: Country singles lead 'Idol' track sales . Mansfield . Brian . Idol Chatter . USA Today, a division of Gannett . August 24, 2011.
  25. Web site: Casey James | BNA Records . February 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120311192702/http://www.bnarecords.com/artists/casey-james . March 11, 2012 . dead .
  26. Web site: Casey James track list revealed . Mansfield . Brian . Idol Chatter . USA Today. January 20, 2012.
  27. Web site: Kenny Chesney Renews Deal With Sony, BNA Imprint Retired. June 4, 2012.
  28. Hear Casey James' Heartbreaking New Single 'Fall Apart' . Stephen L. Betts . October 6, 2014 . Rolling Stone.
  29. News: Life after 'American Idol': Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Casey James, Clay Aiken . Rodney Ho. October 21, 2016 . AJC.com .
  30. Web site: Casey James: Independent Studio Album . Kickstarter .
  31. Web site: Casey James: Strip It Down Review. Alexandra Veltri. Bluesrockreview.com. November 29, 2017. January 22, 2019.
  32. Web site: Top 5 Post-American Idol Albums of 2017. Mark Franklin. Idol Chatter. York Dispatch. January 17, 2018. January 22, 2019.
  33. Web site: Casey James Cuts Loose On New, Bluesier Album. Mark Franklin. Idol Chatter. York Dispatch. June 13, 2017. January 22, 2019.
  34. Web site: Texas Hill Biography. July 9, 2022.
  35. News: EXCLUSIVE: American Idol Hopeful Casey James' Jailbird Past . Radar Online . February 5, 2010 .
  36. Web site: Ex-Wife of Casey James: Music is Singer's Life . The Hollywood Gossip . March 9, 2010 .
  37. Web site: Surprise! Casey James is a married man – NashvilleGab. nashvillegab.com. December 19, 2014 . August 12, 2017.
  38. Web site: September 24, 2010 . https://archive.today/20130217035038/http://voices.yahoo.com/unofficial-biography-casey-james-6847594.html?cat=2 . dead . February 17, 2013 . Shari Geller .
  39. Web site: Baby Makes Five for Casey James and His Wife Kelli Sounds Like Nashville . Soundslikenashville.com . October 16, 2019 . March 15, 2020.
  40. Web site: Casey James and Wife Welcome Second Child Sounds Like Nashville . Soundslikenashville.com . December 16, 2017 . March 15, 2020.
  41. Web site: Casey James Shows Off New Daughter with Adorable Photo. Taste of Country. February 16, 2016 . August 12, 2017.
  42. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=casey james|chart=Country Albums C}} Casey James Album & Song Chart History - Country Albums]. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. March 29, 2012.
  43. News: 'Idol' album sales: Clarkson, Daughtry, Studdard . Mansfield . Brian . Idol Chatter . USA Today . March 28, 2012 . March 28, 2012.
  44. News: 'Idol' sales: Scotty's new single, more . Mansfield . Brian . Idol Chatter . USA Today . April 21, 2013 . April 22, 2013.
  45. News: Casey James talks new studio album 'Strip It Down,' new daughter (Includes interview). June 7, 2017. August 4, 2018.
  46. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=casey james|chart=Country Songs}} Casey James Album & Song Chart History - Country Songs]. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 8, 2012.
  47. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=casey james|chart=Country Airplay}} Casey James Album & Song Chart History - Country Airplay]. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 8, 2012.
  48. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=casey james|chart=Hot 100}} Casey James Album & Song Chart History - Hot 100]. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 27, 2012.
  49. Web site: 'Idol' downloads: Clarkson, Underwood, Lambert . Mansfield . Brian . Idol Chatter . USA Today . April 25, 2012 . April 25, 2012.
  50. News: Angie Miller boosts Colton Dixon sales . Mansfield . Brian . Idol Chatter . USA Today . March 13, 2013 . March 13, 2013.
  51. Web site: CMT : Videos : Casey James : Let's Don't Call It a Night. https://web.archive.org/web/20111016135804/http://www.cmt.com/videos/casey-james/700697/lets-dont-call-it-a-night.jhtml. dead. October 16, 2011. Country Music Television. October 14, 2011.
  52. Web site: CMT : Videos : Casey James : Crying On A Suitcase. https://web.archive.org/web/20120828023506/http://www.cmt.com/videos/casey-james/828991/crying-on-a-suitcase.jhtml. dead. August 28, 2012. Country Music Television. August 27, 2012.
  53. Web site: CMT : Videos : Casey James : Fall Apart. https://web.archive.org/web/20150227162919/http://www.cmt.com/videos/casey-james/1172631/fall-apart.jhtml. dead. February 27, 2015. Country Music Television. February 27, 2015.
  54. Web site: Casey James – Strip It Down | Album Review|work=Blust Blast Magazine|date=November 29, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2019}} Alexandra Veltri of Bluesrockreview.com gave the album eight stars out of ten. She praised James for his vocals and guitar playing, while writing, "Every note and lyric is in service to the song, the album, and the listener."[31] Mark Franklin of the York Dispatch] considered Strip It Down to be a more authentic representation of James as an artist than his previous album,[32] calling it "bluesier [and] much more rocking".[33] As of 2022, James is a member of the group Texas Hill, along with Craig Wayne Boyd and Adam Wakefield.[34]

    Personal life

    James had been convicted of three traffic violations and jailed prior to appearing on American Idol.[35] He was also involved in serious motorcycle accident in 2004 that left him with a broken left arm and wrist, and a right femur with multiple compound fracture, and he was in a wheelchair for six months.[36]

    In 2005, James married Kellie Marie whom he met when he was nineteen at Leaning Tree Church in Mineral Wells, Texas.[37] [38] The marriage however did not last and they divorced two years later. In August 2014, Casey married Kelli Pentzer and in February 2016 they had a daughter, in December 2017 they had a son and in October 2019 they had another daughter.[39] [40] [41]

    Discography

    Studio albums

    TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart
    positions
    Sales
    US Country
    [42]
    US
    [43]
    Casey James
    • Genre: Country
    • Release date: March 20, 2012
    • Label: BNA Records/19
    • Formats: CD, digital download
    223
    Strip It Down
    • Genre: Blues
    • Release date: June 9, 2017[45]
    • Independent Release
    • Formats: CD, digital download
    N/A

    Singles

    YearSinglePeak chart positionsSalesAlbum
    US Country
    [46]
    US Country Airplay
    [47]
    US
    [48]
    2011"Let's Don't Call It a Night"21 Casey James
    2012"Crying on a Suitcase"241488
    2013"The Good Life"57
    2015"Fall Apart"46
    "—" denotes releases that did not chart

    Music videos

    YearVideoDirector
    2011"Let's Don't Call It a Night"[51] Roman White
    2012"Crying on a Suitcase"[52] TK McKamy
    2015"Fall Apart"[53]

    External links

    ]

    . Rainey Wetnight.