Born in St. Louis, June 20, 1954 one of the hottest summer’s on record. Grew up in Imperial about 35 miles South of St. Louis and next to the ole river town of Kimmswick. A stones throw from the Mississippi River, 1 mile as the crow flies you could hear the fog horns sound on a heavy night. The Frisco train also was a familiar presence as it ran parallel with the river and through the valley known as Wolf Hollow. The interstate was not built, and all roads were gravel except 61-67 highway. I’ll never forget the dust that would cover the trees alongside those country roads in the summertime.
My Dad owned a 1955 Pontiac Starchief, I would sit in the back and listen to the early sounds of rock n roll. My sister Cheryl was eight years older than I, she had a stackable 45 record player. That was the first time, I heard the sounds of the Everly Brothers. The harmony was unique I never tired of their close harmony’s.
So as a young boy coming out of the 50’s where the folk music of the Kingston Trio, Woody Guthrie and early rock n roll enters the 60’s. An explosion of musical ideas merges. Bob Dylan hit’s the scene, the Beatles in 64, Byrds, The British invasion had hit our shore.
I’ve always loved the singer-songwriters, Gordon Lightfoot, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor, Jim Croce, John Denver, Kenny Loggins, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Paul Cotton, Neil Young.
I also loved the vocal harmony of groups like Crosby Stills Nash, Art Garfunkel & Paul Simon, Seals & Croft, Beatles, Everly Brothers.
I realize that Glen Campbell is a recognized guitarist but I always thought he had an incredible voice. Other vocalist I thought to be exceptional were, Karen Carpenter, Steve Perry, Vince Gill, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Graham Nash, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Gary LeVox, Gene Pitney and Patsy Cline.
Lyricist like, Bernie Taupin and his infatuation with the American Westward Expansion reflected in his work on the Tumbleweed Connection album was great work.
I also thought that John Hartford’s lyrics Gentle On My Mind was some of the best lyrics I’ve read.
Groups and artist that I would like to include, might find it challenging to reference this list as a relative comparison, to my work. It’s difficult to pin down direct influences but I would like to give these groups and artist honorable mention. Groups like Ambrosia, ZZ Top, Mountain, Grand Funk Railway, Poco, Pure Prairie League, and Steely Dan. Artist like Michael McDonald, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Johnny Rivers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King and Paul McCartney. There are so many influences I could not possibly mention all of them, I just knew I wanted to be connected and a part of it. You know I haven’t even included, Motown or Latin music. And my only reference to Blues and Tex-Mex was just a couple of artist I mentioned.
So after spending 7 years with the 655 retail clerks and 34 years in the Electrical industry with the IBEW Local 1, I have retired.
I wrote a Christmas song in 1997, sat on it for years, and assortment of other songs.
I presented the Christmas song to a producer & arranger, he said you got more, I said yes. We have been recording since spring of 2013 and we have produced 5 songs.
I played in a band for 17 years on and off since I was 15 years old. We would play at the roller rink on Friday nights, played at school dances, small clubs, private parties, etc. Played a solo gig for many years, and sang a duet for many years. I feel this way about music, it feels like a celebration of life, especially when playing with other musicians, or vocalist. It could be just people gathering, relaxing, or just enjoying theirselves listening to music.
My highest expectation will be the realization that my Christmas song has made the anthology collection of what we know as the American Christmas Songbook.
That was my intention and this project has became so much more than that, I’m presently working on two CD single projects, and enough music for a couple full CD’s. Don’t know where this is taking me, but I’m holding on until this ride is over. I hope you’ll join me in this celebration, we call music.
James Lee Tarbet