10 Questions with Country Crooner James Carothers - The George Jones

10 Questions with Country Crooner James Carothers

Nashville honky-tonk crooner, James Carothers is known for his stone-country originals, spot-on impressions of several of country’s greatest icons, character band mates and a large fan base of fiercely supportive followers who love real country music.  We are extremely excited and honored to feature him at the George Jones Tribute concert Sept 12!

We took a minute to find out a little more about our go-to-crooner and venue fan favorite!  Here is what James Carothers had to say:

1. Where did you grow up?

“Born in Selmer, TN. Grew up in Los Alamos, NM.”

2. What music played around your house growing up?
“Oldies rock and roll radio, top 40 radio and about 3 different cassettes of Hank Jr, Chicago, and Jerry Jeff Walker Live at Gruene Hall.”
3. When did you first notice your interest in music – and how did it start?
“Growing up in church of Christ, all the little boys would learn how to lead signing with no music accompaniment. My dad and uncles did it and I was taught to do the same.”
4. Who were your musical interests in your teens?
“Rock and roll guitar like ac-dc and Guns N’ Roses along with outlaw country like Hank Jr.”
5. What was your first “official” gig?
“It was a home show in Santa Fe where my dad sang and I backed him up. I got $75 and my sister won a garage door opener.”
6. Has there been any gig that made you feel like you “made it”?
“Yes, opening the Alan Jackson Tour in Louisville in 2019.”
7. What people have come into your life musically, that completely changed the course of your life and how?
“A couple of different fans that I made friends with and they ended up paying for studio time so we could make the next record. We were able to meet those fans because Nancy Jones gave us a place to play every day and encouraged us to do the traditional country that we loved.”
8. What is your favorite George Jones song and why?
“Wine Colored Roses Live– because it’s so happy and sad at the same time. “
9. How has George Jones impacted your life?
“Well, GJ died before I got to town, but the fact that he existed altered the course of music in a way that enabled me and all the other guys before me to do a style that’s fun and from the heart- while paying homage to the roots.”
10. If you could have a conversation with Possum – what would be your top three questions?
“I’d ask him about being married to Nancy. That’d be the most interesting to me because, at the end of the day, you’re a husband, and you may have a different personality than your wife. Whatever they did to make it work for so many years would be of interest to me. That part of his life is important because anybody can party when they’re 20 or 40 years old- but it’s rare for someone to have such a productive resurgence, comeback, and sustainability through their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. I’d also ask him about microphones, speakers, Ron Gaddis, and how he managed to get such a wonderful sound with his band.”

James can be found playing several shows each week at The George Jones, AJ’s Good Time Bar and a few other spots now and then in Nashville, TN when he’s not on the road, having played over 1200 public, corporate & private events since January 2015. Solo, duo, trio & full-band shows are available.

In 2019, James will be releasing a series of 12 new singles – one every month – under the banner ‘Songs and Stories.’ Previous releases include ‘Still Country, Still King: A Tribute to George Jones’ (September 2018), which debuted at #16 on the iTunes Country Chart, his first full-length original album ‘Relapse’ (May 2017) and an EP ‘Honky Tonk Land’ (June 2014).

FOR TICKETS TO THE GEORGE JONES TRIBUTE FEATURING TONY JACKSON AND JAMES CAROTHERS CLICK HERE

FOR OUR BLOG ON THE GEORGE JONES SOUND CLICK HERE

FOR OUR CALENDAR OF DATES THAT JAMES PLAYS AT THE GEORGE JONES  CLICK HERE