Booking InformationDiscography
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The Official Site of James King  |
James King
James King was born September 9, 1958 in Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia. His family soon moved to Carroll County, Virginia, where James was raised. Anyone familiar with the history of traditional bluegrass and old time music knows that Carroll and Grayson Counties, Virginia, areas are arguably our most important source of old time music. In the little town of Cana, Virginia, where James was raised, many members of his family, neighbors and friends, played bluegrass and old time music. James remembers listening to the old rime sounds of Tommy Jarrell, Kyle Creed, Fred Cockerham and many of the legendary old time players in and around Galax. Such a childhood can only have deep influences in someone's attitude toward and appreciation of music. His family was also filled with fine musicians. His father, Jim, played guitar and sang tenor in several local bands as James grew up. His uncle, the late Joe Edd King, who was 10 years his senior, was one of Carroll County's finest fiddlers. Joe Edd went on to become nationally known and played with many fine bands including Ted Lundy and The Southern Mountain Boys. Joe Edd and James father, along with other friends, formed a local band called the County Cousins. The band played in and around Galax, Virginia, and frequently participated in the Galax Fiddlers Convention. When James was 10 years old, his father bought him a guitar and a chord book, from which James gallantly, if unsuccessfully, learned to play. He gave it up in about a year but between that age and age 16, through the efforts of his uncle and close friend, Joe Edd, he listened to all of the greats of bluegrass at numerous festivals and became deeply involved in the music. He remembers listening to the Stanley Brothers during that rime. To this day, he credits the Stanleys with his becoming involved in the music and realizing the influence of the Stanley sound in both his playing and listening.
Booking and Purchase Information
James King
12401 Spring Run Road
Amelia, VA 23082
Tel. 804-561-5147
Discography
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Lonesome and Then SomeCD How to purchase |
