During CRS 2021, we had the opportunity to connect with artists and learn more about them. Nicky James told us about how he got started in country music, his songwriting process, and more!
What was your first memory of listening to country music?
My first memory of listening and connecting with country music was when I was about 4 or 5 years old, I woke up on the top bunk to my mother singing John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High”. A look of pure love and excitement crossed her face as her and my father surprised my brothers and I with a trip to the mountains. I vividly remember that moment and see it almost in VHS form every time I hear that song.
To this day I can still picture the lead up to seeing these things called mountains for the first time, and just at the right moment hearing that same John Denver song I woke up to now matching the landscape rolling past the backseat window and forever changing how I listened and felt about country music.
Who inspires you?
The dreamer, the believer, and the ones betting on the what if’s. I love nothing more than to see people taking chances and going against the everyday norm we have been taught to follow.
What did you do before you became a country artist and what made you decide that this is what you needed to do full time?
Before I really started to get into playing music full time I was a bartender at a sports bar in Omaha, Nebraska. I would work just enough shifts to pay the bills and save the leftover money for gas down to Oklahoma where I really started diving head first into gigging and living that “musician” lifestyle. Through multiple gigs and learning the lay of the land I realized it was the only thing that never felt like work to me, which made me realize this is what I was put on this earth to do.
What’s your songwriting process like?
To be honest I am a very weird songwriter, I have written more songs at 2am because of a dream than I care to count, but I truly believe someone out there is giving me the ideas. I am a very spur of the moment person so typically I start with a hook that I get randomly from conversation or reading and then strum the guitar until the melody matches what I want to sing about. Over a period of a couple days or weeks I usually have a finished product on hand.
Is there anything fun/unique you do to prepare for a show?
Pre-show ritual always begins with a shot of good bourbon unless in Mexico then you gotta go straight for the tequila.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a country artist?
Well I too am always looking for advice on how to better myself as a musician and become better at my craft, but the best advice I personally ever got was to never change for your surroundings, make your surroundings change for you. Stay true to your art and true to your soul and no matter what the outcome may be, always stay happy.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music or performing?
I love traveling and experiencing new culture, but anything active and outdoors I’m typically all in for.
What are you most excited about for 2021?
I know it might be cliche but I’m truly just excited to have the opportunity to live on this beautiful planet and pursue something that brings me so much joy and love. I love my wife and dog Coors and find so much happiness in chasing this dream with them both.
Connect with Nicky James
For more information on Nicky James, find him on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
