Album Notes

Hi, I'm James Branson Skinner, here's my story so far...
I was born in october of 1988 into a musical household. With the influence of my mom, a professional singer and pianist, and my dad, an avid music supporter, I quickly developed a great love of music. When I was five years old I began playing guitar, or at least trying to. I also sang in my church choir for several years. Pretty soon I took up the drums too. I listened to nearly every type of music imaginable: from classical and jazz to heavy rock, rap and latin. My eclectic musical influences showed themselves when at the age of 12 I wrote my first real song. Shortly after this time I joined my first band. After playing with the band for a year, I left to began work on my first solo album. I wrote and recorded the nine songs on this album, Table For One, with the help of producer/engineer Chris Murphy. During the time I was recording Table For One I studied jazz for a year at Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD. I released Table For One in January of 2004 as a 15 year old. Soon after the release of Table For One I found inspiration for a new E.P., One More Thing. I recorded One More Thing again with the help of Chris Murphy. The E.P. came out in November of 2004. Again I soon began writing material for my next release, SOLO. The production of SOLO was delayed, however, because I broke my arm in a cycling accident in Colorado, so I couldn't play guitar for several months. Finally I recorded SOLO in December of 2005. The CD features 8 new songs, 1/4 of which are in Spanish. The release is entirely acoustic, which I believe allows the songs to speak more directly for themselves. I hope you as the listener feel the same way.

Outside of music, I focus on school, community service, acting, and cycling. I used to be an avid equestrian, but I had to stop riding horses because of a knee injury. Currently I am a junior in high school at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC. This summer I will be going to Lempira, Honduras for 6 weeks with a community service oganization called Amigos de Las Américas. For 2006 the proceeds from my music go to support Amigos.

Thanks for your support!

-james branson skinner