The Self-Titled Debut Album

Available Now!

1. Here Comes The Heartache

2. I’ve Been Drinkin’ More

3. Hot Mouth Mama

4. Fancy Limousine

5. World Of Make Believe

6. Back In My Arms

7. Buppa-Bup-Bow-Bow

8. True Blues

9. I Wonder If You’ll Ever Come Around

10. I’ll Set You Free

11. Pullin’ Out The Suit

12. Welcome To The Blues

13. Walk Through My Heart

About Jason James

Livin’, Writin’, Singin’ could very well be the motto of Mr. James. This talented troubadour hails from the Lone Star State and has been performing his brew of country music for over a decade. Jason James was born in Texas City, TX, a small coastal town that sits roughly 50 miles southeast of Houston, TX—a town known primarily for its refineries, as well as its tough, rough, and hard-working inhabitants.

James began honing and polishing his craft at a young age while performing for the blue-collar patrons who came to drink and dance their blues away on the weekends. After years of singing in beer joints and countless rejections from record labels, it was finally a home demo that landed on the owner’s desk of the esteemed record label New West that would forever alter James’ life. “We immediately heard the raw, unique talent this kid had,” said the executive.

The demo tape was sent by Jason’s mother, who helped book shows and managed Jason’s career in those early, lean years. It was also around this time that Jason met charismatic Texas songwriting titan John Evans on a show that they were both booked on. Evans and James quickly formed a friendship, and together with New West, they set about recording what would become Jason’s debut record.

A portion of the record was done in a home studio, then moved to Houston’s famed SugarHill Studios, with Grammy-winning Steve Christensen helping engineer the project, and finally finished up in Nashville, with the late guitarist/producer and friend of James, Keith Gattis, producing a few tracks. The self-titled Jason James was released in the summer of 2015 to rave reviews by critics and fans alike and contained 13 well-crafted, self-penned tracks, aside from one co-write with two of Jason’s songwriting heroes, Jim Lauderdale and Oddie Blackmon, “Walk Through My Heart.”

The album spawned four singles, one of which was the whiskey-soaked powerhouse “I’ve Been Drinkin’ More.” However, despite the success of the album and a 2017 Super Bowl commercial featuring Jason’s cover of an Ernest Tubb classic, “Let’s Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello,”- differences in artistic visions told Jason it was time to part ways and continue following the music that was in his heart.      

James formed his own label, Melodyville Records, and with producer and friend John Evans back in the producer’s chair, they began work on the much-anticipated follow-up. The project was accompanied by top-notch Texas musicians, and the talented Patrick Hertzfield was brought on to engineer the project at Signal Hill, a premiere home studio located outside of Austin, TX. Released in October of 2019, Seems Like Tears Ago was met with critical acclaim and immediately became a fan favorite, proving Jason’s musical intuition was correct.

While the sophomore effort didn’t contain a “Drinkin’ More” smash, it did showcase an array of extremely well-crafted, self-penned instant classics. James claimed that the record was meant to be an open love letter to his songwriting heroes and to country music. James felt that country music had been betrayed by the big-money machine and had left its true intended audience out of the light and voiceless in favor of more pop-oriented, well-manicured acts.

Songwriting juggernauts such as the late Dallas Frazier and Peanutt Montgomery praised Jason for his masterful grip on writing instantly catchy songs. Even artists from the rock ’n’ roll universe—such as the late Mark Lanegan—wrote James to express the same admiration. The record also began to showcase a new dimension of Jason’s musical abilities. His voice had deepened and matured, and he found himself more in command as a singer. Known previously for his high-lonesome Hank Williams, Buck Owens and direct Johnny Cash–Esque voice, Tears Ago began showcasing Jason’s Lefty Frizzell and George Jones inflections—bending and curling notes, accessing baritone and bass registers, then gliding back into a haunted high lonesome.

While his singing does not overshadow his writing, the vocal change could not be overlooked. In a matter of a few years, James blossomed into a crooner and was now able to take vocal chances that very few (in any genre of music) can execute effectively, all without resorting to mimicry.

In 2020, shortly after the release, the COVID pandemic struck and grounded touring entirely. This destroyed many artists, as touring is the lifeblood of most musicians. But James’ records still played, and he continued to bring in new fans, especially when he began going live on Facebook for a weekly program called Live from the Lost Highway, created by fellow country traditionalist Joey Alcorn. The idea was to gather artists who still carried the torch of traditional country music and showcase them to a wider audience.

James quickly became one of the show’s most viewed and leading programs. Playing for virtual tips brought Jason a steady income due to the thousands who tuned in weekly while on lockdown during the pandemic. It was at this time that Jason began introducing new songs and playing them live on air, sometimes only hours before he was scheduled to go live.

In 2022, with John Evans once again by his side, Jason returned to the studio to begin work on his third record—this time at the studio of acclaimed bassist Dave Roe (Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Vern Gosdin, Jerry Reed), who also played on Jason’s debut album. Together, James, Evans, and Roe assembled an A-team, a true who’s who of country music musicians, many of whom are legends. Players such as steel guitarist Steve Hinson (Randy Travis, George Jones), who also played on Jason’s first record, were brought in, along with Cousin Kenny Vaughan (Lucinda Williams, Marty Stuart) on guitar and baritone. Four songs were recorded, with plans to resume the project a few months later. However, personal challenges for James and funding issues stalled the sessions.

Determined to move forward, James reached out to country music label owner and promoter Tracy Pitcox. Pitcox owns Heart of Texas Records in Brady, Texas, as well as an impressive country music museum filled with artifacts that would make any traditional country fan’s mouth water. A friendship quickly formed, and Tracy expressed interest in working with James. With funding secured once again, plans were made for Jason to return to Nashville to complete the record.

Tragically, during the hiatus, bassist and studio owner Dave Roe passed away unexpectedly. Other studios were suggested, but James insisted on finishing the record at Dave’s studio in his memory. When James and the band returned—along with the same core players—they discovered that the knobs, levels, and microphone settings on the mixing boards had been virtually untouched for nearly two years. It was as if they had only stepped out for a short lunch break.

The album was finally completed and is slated for release in 2026.

Recently, James was invited to appear on The Malpass Brothers Show, a beloved traditional country duo known for preserving classic country sounds. The Malpass Brothers also host a highly popular television show on RFD-TV, with a devoted traditional country audience. During the appearance, Tracy Pitcox unexpectedly asked James if he would like to officially sign with Heart of Texas Records. James happily agreed. Shortly thereafter, he was also invited to join the Malpass Brothers on tour.

James has walked a long country mile—and he’s still going.

Whether you love his voice, his songs, or both, it’s clear that James’s devotion to traditional country music is unwavering. He isn’t a polished Nashville act, nor does he pretend to be anything he’s not. He’s a regular person—a country boy—authentic to his core. His writing gives voice to the voiceless, the brokenhearted, the forgotten, and the damned.

James is undoubtedly on his way to becoming a mainstay in country music for years to come. So, come see his show when he rolls through your town. Until then, he’ll keep on
Livin’. Writin’. Singin’.

Shows

Photos

Instagram

ContactS

ARTIST Management/Booking

jasonjamesbandbooking@gmail.com

RADIO PROMOTION

Americana Radio
Angela Backstrom @ Angela Backstrom Promo
angelabackstrompromo@gmail.com

RECENT KIND WORDS: 

 Under the Headline: The Voice

"There are certain country singers who, the minute I hear them, a smile blossoms in my heart. George Jones, Merle Haggard, 

 Lefty Frizzell, Randy Travis, and Waylon Jennings come immediately to mind. Now I can add Jason James. His sophomore album, 

 the self-released Seems Like Tears Ago, is a primer on just how to truly sing real country music (not that radio crap). His is a 

 supple instrument, elastic in its effortless slide from an earthy baritone, swooping into a high-lonesome tenor, yet able to convey 

 worlds of meaning when low-balls it. He writes sad songs like Hank Williams but also raises the sawdust on the honkytonk floor 

 for a two-step. He even ventures from his home state of Texas over to Louisiana for “Cry On The Bayou,” what he calls a “ZydeCajun 

 Waltz.”  There hasn’t been a male country singer who has caught my attention like this since John Anderson in the eighties.   

- Mike Greenblatt/The Aquarian (11.27) - https://bit.ly/37ICYG1

“The young Texan doesn’t just replicate the steel-and-fiddle-driven sounds of classic country with unerring and uncompromising precision. 

 He has thoroughly absorbed them as a vehicle for his own artistic expression, one that, in the best country tradition, taps into deep wells of 

 real emotion. 

 The happiest song here is “Simply Divine.” Which is also a good description of this album. 

- Nick Cristiano/The Philadelphia Inquirer (11.27) - https://bit.ly/35FGEGO

“When you hear the first few moments of the title track on the album, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was recorded by a contemporary 

 of George Jones or Buck Owens. Yes, really. It’s that good. James’s sound belongs to a bygone era, but you can enjoy it any time you want.

- Gary Schwind/Americana Highways (11.25 - Best of 2019) - https://bit.ly/2XN4KfY

“...a welcome celebration of traditional country music. 

 All of the songs on the outstanding disc were penned by James…" 

- Robert Kinsler/Rock ’n’ Roll Truth (11.4) - http://bit.ly/2PLLs8B

“Listen to Seems Like Tears Ago and let Jason James take you back to that golden age of country. For writing too much like Hank Williams 

 and sounding too similar to George Jones James parted company with his previous record label. We must be thankful he stayed true to his 

 conviction because in Seems Like Tears Ago, to crying pedal steel and wailing fiddle, this rich baritone croons, waltzes and two-steps just like 

 his musical heroes.

- Calvin Powers/Americana Music Show (10.25) - http://bit.ly/363H76w

“...with Jason James just beginning his career, it is also a hopeful indication of what is yet to come. With all the hyphenated sub-genres of the form,

 it’s good to get back to basics and remember where Country music comes from; and it seems like tears ago since we had such an unabashed purveyor 

 of the form."

Brian Rock/Turnstyled, Junkpiled (10.25) - https://bit.ly/33gP3yz

“...there’s never been a singer who sounded so much like a young George Jones, ever, except for George Jones in his younger years. 

 That’s no criticism but a heartfelt compliment. This record was crafted with loving care and lots of attention to detail, and the Possum 

 would’ve been proud of these ten quality songs. No doubt whatsoever."

- Stijn De Jong/Slim Chance Is Back (10.24) - https://bit.ly/2PfWbIg

“Ironically, James is a modern-day “country outlaw”, writing and recording on his own terms and not prepared to accept the interferences of a 

record label. Things have certainly come full circle. File under ‘they just don’t make them like this anymore’. Make no mistake, if this album was 

recorded in the early 70’s, James would be a household name!"

- Declan Culliton/Lonesome Highway (10.22) - https://bit.ly/2N2pKdF

“Get him on the bus to LA, and re-open the Palomino!"

- George W. Harris/Jazz Weekly (10.21) - http://bit.ly/2W0LgU3

“He may look young enough to still get carded in the clubs he plays, but Jason James is an old soul and definitely the real deal."

     - Danger Zine (10.17) - http://bit.ly/2BgS7PV

“Jason James is in the next wave of great traditional country artists. You’ve all heard of Simpson, Childers, Jinks, Cauthen, Crockett, etc. 

 You’re gonna have to add another name to that list and that name is Jason James. This is tear in my beer country that is praise worthy for 

 it’s authenticity. This is Texas dance hall music that is timeless.

 This is a country classic in the making. “It fits right in there.” I am truly astounded at how good it sounds. Again, the formula is great writing, 

 great vocals, great players, and tons of that twangy pedal steel. The ingredients are all listed on the side of this cereal box. This box doesn’t 

 require a deep dig to get to the prize at the bottom. The prizes are everywhere. Better than the Lucky Charms marshmallows."

- Harry Kaplan/Twangrila (10.9) - https://bit.ly/33eVeUr

“...there’s a depth to these songs that just feels like the type of country the genre has been missing. In many ways Seems Like Tears Ago 

 reminds us that great country music still exists, even when it’s coming from an artist ready to shy away from the Nashville sound."

- David Garrick/Closed Captioned (10.08) - https://bit.ly/329471P

“The entire album is a joy to listen to from start to finish. I think the biggest take away here is that Jason James actually sings, as singers 

 these days seem to do less of. You can hear the heartache in his voice that jumps through the speakers and does not get drowned in the 

 instrumentation. The entire album showcases Jason’s true talent for crafting a song. Favorite tracks: the title song, “I Miss You After All”, 

 “We’re Gonna Honky Tonk Tonight” and “Crying on the Bayou”. But hell, listen to the entire album! And as a bonus, spin the 1990s infused 

 song “I’ve Been Drinkin’ More” from his self-titled debut album, its bad ass and needs to be heard too!”                                                                                                                                                                                                  

- Dustin/Meet Country (10.8) - https://bit.ly/31XNDtb

“Jason James is quickly becoming a huge name when it comes to traditional country music in these modern times."

- Joshua Wallace/Gary Hayes Country (10.7) - https://bit.ly/338ykOr

“By refusing to compromise on his love for and enjoyment of the style he plays and remaining inside country’s traditional tent, James will 

 probably forgo more notice than he gains and so it goes for the independent musician. In intent as well as in form, Seems Like Tears Ago 

 is made from two of country music’s and independent music’s non-negotiable’s — a sense of humility and an insistence on authenticity.

- James Stocker/Indie30 (Australia - 10.6) - https://bit.ly/31YMa5F

“This is exceptional...Mr. James mines a deep vein of traditional country.

 Aficionados of retro country music will guzzle this like beer at an Oktoberfest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

   All songs are Jason James’ own though many sound written decades ago & were classics. Jason’s magic is his vocal delivery.                                                                                                                                                            

   Sincere & with “Simply Divine,” it’s just that – divine. If many of the classic country singers were alive today – Waylon, Merle, Mel Tillis, Patsy Cline                                                                                                                              

 – they’d dig into Jason’s trove of songs."

- John Apice/Americana Highways (10.4) - https://bit.ly/2pkB5h7

“To call this music traditional honky-tonk country would be to understate things considerably…

...James is putting old-school tropes to work in service of an organic and personal vision. A couplet like “Lovin’ you is like sleeping on 

the tracks/I’m just waiting around to die” is worthy of Hank Williams…

All of the songs are originals, and every one takes old musical ideas and brings them to new life. An outstanding debut from a major talent."

- Rick Anderson/CD Hot List (10.4) - https://bit.ly/2AMA43E

“...he channels the traditional country greats on these 10 original tunes. They are the kind of three-minute classic country weepers and 

 honky-tonkers that would easily fit on radio during the Golden Age of Country (circa '70s and early '80s)."

- Jim Hynes/Country Standard Time (10.4) - https://bit.ly/2Ol44fa

“Opening with a deep roar of baritone guitar and driven forward by a steady train beat, Jason James’ “Move a Little Closer” nods to the 

 burly, bombastic hits of Waylon Jennings. “I’ve got more bags underneath my eyes than the ones you left with last night,” he sings, playing 

 the part of a jilted lover with a mix of classic Texas twang and piss-and-vinegar urgency."

- Robert Crawford/Rolling Stone “10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week” (10.4) - https://bit.ly/2pM3BIx

“Boy howdy. It takes all of 12 seconds to fly by in this new Jason James record before you decisively know that you made the smartest 

 of all country music decisions by giving this young man your time and attention. Where have all those true sounds of country music gone? 

 Straight into the lungs of Texas City’s Jason James to be crooned back out in one classic-sounding country song after another, presenting 

 themselves like a parade of forgotten hits from the 50’s and 60’s. In short, a swim through Seems Like Tears Agoby Jason James is like a 

 trip to country music Heaven.

- Trigger/Saving Country Music (10.4) - https://bit.ly/2VbERVI

“Like Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam, James has a real talent for making sad songs that you can dance to.

 James is without question a talented songwriter. This album is a perfect counterpoint to a lot of the pop country that comes out of 

 Nashville. It’s fair to say that James seems destined to be a country star."

- Gary Schwind/Americana Highways (10.3) - https://bit.ly/339K3fR

“Traditional country music is alive and kicking and Jason James is its ambassador. 

 If you’re not necessarily into country, find yourself a better country radio station. Jason James and Seems Like Tears Ago will turn your ears.                                                                                                                                      

   As most of the world sat enthralled by the recent Country Music documentary by the brilliant Ken Burns can attest, traditional country music                                                                                                                                     

              is valid and viable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Jason James has tremendous range and he uses it wisely. This is an album that’s just fun to listen to.                                                                                                                                                                                         

 Seems Like Tears Ago will appeal to most of the better sides of country. Jason James is no copycat. These songs are familiar in their stylings                                                                                                                            

 while being fresh and inventive at the same time. Give this one a listen, you’ll be glad you did. I know I am.                                                                                                                                                                                           

- Viola Krouse/Making A Scene (10.3) - https://bit.ly/2IoOBqH

“...(James) studied honky-tonk heroes like George Jones and Hank Williams well, absorbing their lessons of melodic resilience 

 and lyrical simplicity for this solid trad country set.

 ...his sincerity’s refreshing and stirs interest…"

- Bliss Bowen/Pasadena Weekly (10.3) - https://bit.ly/31J0L53

“...so deep into the boozy back room ambience of classic honky-tonk, with a resemblance to George Jones in particular, that I was 

 momentarily blindsided by memories, circa the late ’70s, of having been enveloped in the strains of country radio." 

- Joseph Neff/The Vinyl District (10.3) - https://bit.ly/34WaxTw

“Honky Tonker of the Month! This (album) stands out as one of the big highlights of the year."

- Duncan Warwick/Country Music People 5 stars! (October Issue)

“If you like or love artists like Hank Williams,George Jones, and Merle Haggard, you're almost certain to get a major jolt out of 

 Seems Like Tears Ago. Just as was the case when K.D. Lang released her highly-influential Ingenue years ago, this album is bound

 to immediately capture the attention and admiration of a large cross section of music fans. James is one helluva crooner, and he really 

 makes you believe the words he's singing. Listeners respond to folks who are genuinely inspired and real. This man is both. We’re

 totally blown away by this album. It's a true modern classic. Killer tracks include 'Seems Like Tears Ago’, 'I Miss You After All’, 

'Achin' Takin’ Place’, 'Coldest Day of the Year’, and 'Ole Used To Be’. There are threads of sadness in these songs that push them 

 to an even higher level. You need to hear this album. Highly recommended. 

- LMNOP/Babysue/October Top Pick  (9.30) - https://bit.ly/2nX1kcu

“…Jason James asserts himself as the leader of old-school country music."

- Jim Pasinki/JP’s Music Blog (9.29) - https://bit.ly/2mXYcgJ

“There is something primal about this album. Pure emotion with music, words and voice all beating to the same pulse. I’m not 

 going to anoint a golden track, just place the whole album on the lofty pedestal it deserves."

- David/Three Chords and the Truth (9.28) - https://bit.ly/2nz4Nha

“Jason James is a Texas City native whose dapper Western threads and high-piled hair suggest a deep affinity for the golden 

 era of honky-tonk. Which is good news, because James knows the vocabulary and the range of sound in that classic form, and 

 he manages to write and record new music that fits nicely with the canon without trying to replicate it."

- Andrew Dansby/The Houston Chronicle (9.26) - https://bit.ly/2nnRWhR

“Traditional Country Just Got Itself a New ‘real Deal’ Star (headline). …Seems Like Tears Ago is an absolute cracker of a 

 traditional country album; and if you are here for the style, you’ll end up staying for the substance."

- Ags Connnolly/The Rocking Magpie (9.25) - https://bit.ly/2lFUR55

“Jason James' sophomore album Seems Like Tears Ago -- out Oct. 4 and premiering exclusively on Billboard today (Sept. 18) 

 -- does sound like yesteryear. The traditional country album is akin to anything Ken Burns is featuring in episodes of his PBS 

 Country Music documentary. James even proclaims at one point, over weeping fiddles, that "We're gonna honky-tonk tonight/ 

 We're gonna have a ball."

- Gary Graff/Billboard (9.18) - https://bit.ly/2m2NdBt

"Jason James may have a long way to go to forge a similar legacy to the greats of the Golden Era of country music, 

but he doesn’t have to travel far at all to illustrate the same talent those legends did in putting sound behind the emotions 

of heartache and joy that the best of country music captures.”

- Trigger/Saving Country Music (7.30) - https://bit.ly/2Yh3lS9