Hugh James honed his craft over the years writing for artists like teen queen Tiffany, Latin pop divas Las Triplets and most recently country heartthrob Steve Holy. Hugh has also lent his piano chops to several recordings or live performances for artists such as Doobie Brother-Michael McDonald, Tiffany, BJ Thomas, Aaron Lines and Robert Townsend and has performed throughout the U.S., South America, & Asia. He currently performs regularly in The Great Hall at Disney’s California Grand Hotel in Anaheim, CA. His songs can be heard on Television and in Film, including the Disney remake of Where the Red Fern Grows starring rocker Dave Matthews & Kris Kristofferson. You’ll also find songs in A Promise to Carolyn, starring Sissy Spacek & Delta Burk, & the Meatloaf starrer Rustin. Recently “Way Back When“ was featured in the Movie “Camille” staring Sienna Miller & James Franco, while “Live a Little“; also from the Black & White World CD was featured in the Jessica Simpson movie soundtrack “Blonde Ambition”.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Hugh James about his latest project, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
Originally from Garwood, NJ, currently living in Los Angeles via Miami & abroad. I’ve been told I have a unique voice. There is a tinge of Country and Americana, but as I grew up playing in rock & R&B bands, singing in church, and studying classical piano, all of those elements are deeply rooted and intertwined. But it ain’t jazz.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
A lifelong love of music, and the process of turning the intangible into the tangible, then sharing the end result. Taking a personal life experience, then creating a more universal one in the form of a song, and then hopefully connecting with others. I feel as if I have a responsibility to share the gift of music. Sort of like a calling, a life’s work kind of thing.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Based on a true-life story. There was something in this song that hadn’t been there in others. Like having a spirit as a co-writer. There was this force behind it. It was like a magnet, everyone who worked on it was drawn to it. This was also the first time we did a music video as well. The song and the video just went where it wanted to go. Like I was just an art conduit.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
One of the biggest challenges is being able to stand out in a crowded market and rise above the rest, without the budget that a major label has. It’s like running for a political office and trying to fund your own campaign. Even if the music is great, you still need the keys to open the gate, and that gate only swings with the right promotion and marketing, which costs hard earned dollars. Technology has certainly given opportunities to those who would otherwise not have access to recording, yet that compounds the over saturation issue. Digital recording gives you endless options, which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your overall process.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Anything else before we sign off?
Where’s the best place for a Margarita in Nashville?
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