Album Notes

At the age of seventeen, James Dunning suddenly decide it was time to stop playing air guitar in front of the bedroom mirror and learn the real thing. For years, he had been mimicking the vocal styles of Phil Collins, Billy Joel, and a bevy of other pop baritones. Finally, he wanted to discover for himself if he could do the same.

Armed with a 1972 beginner's book and his mother's weathered nylon-string guitar, James would spend hours in his bedroom, learning chords, honing his skill as a musician and songwriter. In the beginning, his schooling came from any other player who would sit down with him for five minutes or more. James soaked up these experiences like a sponge. Suddenly, blues and folk and country and rock music had come alive.

In 1993, the California native moved to Brownwood, Texas, to attend Howard Payne University, studying journalism and youth ministry education. There he met several new friends and talented musicians who helped continue his musical journey. James continued to grow, cultivating his experience through a few bands and solo performance opportunities.

He took a break from music in 1998, got married late that year, and moved to Lubbock, Texas. In Lubbock, he turned a new page in his songwriting, suddenly finding he could communicate his feelings, hopes and dreams honestly and convincingly through rhyme, meter and verse. A move to Yakima, Washington, and eventually to Ellensburg, inspired him further and now James spends most of his free time exploring the nuances of a craft that has called him from an early age: storytelling through song.

"The time it takes to write a song is pretty simple: 20 minutes of mechanics, 20 years of inspiration," says James. "Music should be inspired in one way or another, and it should it inspire others. That's what all art is, really."

"Songwriting is perhaps the hardest thing I've ever done. It's the most joyful and frustrating experience I can think of - second only to falling in love. There are days when all the lyrics and melodies and harmonies seem to fall right into place. The ink flows from my pen into a unique and wonderful song. Then, there are those days when I struggle to come up with one phrase - one word - to make it all fit. A missing chord, an off-beat melody, anything to make the song come together. What I've found is that the more time you allow a song to gestate - to fumble around inside your head as you drive to work or take a walk around the neighborhood - the better the song will be in the end. Like a flower, a song takes time, love and patience to blossom."

James has slowly begun to find comfort in the various venues he plays - whether it be learning the organ as he goes at a college church service or plucking a lone six-string acoustic in front of a coffee shop crowd. He continues to dream of day when his music will reach (and touch) the world, but is content if only a few people are blessed to hear the songs he sings.

"Really, I think the way you play and how you express yourself on stage and off should be honest, straightforward and simple," James says. "I'm tired all of this flash-in-the-pan stuff; I think the general audience is too. I don't want to impress people; I want to inspire. Ideally, I'd like the music to be remembered long after I'm gone…"

So, take a second look at a refreshing new artist and listen as James Dunning's honesty connects with your soul.