Meet Michael James | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from Chicago, grew up surrounded by a city that taught me pain and blues. Like a lot of blues musicians they are in depth with their emotions and it’s when I met Buddy Guy where I worked as a local dairy clerk it took off for me. “I asked him what do I have to be like you?” You got to keep it cool and know how to talk to the ladies” I was sold and it took off for me on a journey that I have traveled to the us today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As I have said earlier in my story if you may have picked up, I struggled with addiction for many years and traveled all around trying to fix something that was going on inside. After I stopped, some told me and I’ll never forget this. “Wherever you go that’s were you are” Nothing as piercing was this and finally stoped here in California to set out to my dreams. Today I am in the addiction field to help other people to heal and find their way again. It has been a journey to say the least but I can say with this Ive never felt gratitude like I have today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I highly recommend jumping the fence in Point Magu in Malibu. There is a secret cave that out looks the ocean and is a place I’m reminded to sometimes break the mundane to see the beautiful things. There’s so many hidden Gems you just got to have the heart and wondering spirit to find them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
, I came out to LA just as anyone to live there dream. In the past 4 years it has been success and as well as failures. There would be moments of weaning depression, living in my car, and performing on every pier I could find to make money. I had broken up with a girlfriend whom I loved but was tired of putting everything before my dream which was a fire that was still in me. Some cold nights I’d fog up the glass to draw a heart on it because it was something I wanted for myself and it didn’t seem to be there. With tears coming down I’d hear , Cory Asbury, “Reckless Love” playing and washes of warmth and spirit came over me. Felt that the Universe was saying “it’s your time to shine.” The next following months doors started to open, “Can you even believe this is happening to you?”  I would be living in my car busking for money, and a friend asked me to go to the “Grammys” He said the seat was only a 800 dollar one and it wasn’t much. I said “Are you messing with me?” He said, “No, a friend of mine had told me your were a great musician and had big things to come for you so he wanted to extend the over and meet me.” This gentlemen was a board member for the Grammys for 20+ years. That night at 2019 Grammys hosting Alicia Keys, was a milestone for me. I was completely under dressed with jeans and a tshirt but I didn’t care about the looks, it was about being there. As I’m watching the performance I couldn’t help but notice but Cory Asbury was sitting right in the next aisle across from me. I couldn’t believe it that 90 days prior I was crying listening to his song and here he was right there. I had muster up the courage finally to go up to him at the end and I said.” Are you Cory Asbury? And he said yeah man how are you doing.” I told him that the song..” Reckless Love” had helped me get through many nights and told him I was in my car. He couldn’t believe it was over joyed to hear my story. He asked, “Hey Man, would you mind if I pray for you?” Are you messing with me?” Again in disbelief , here I was at the Grammys where people would do anything to be here. They put there arms around me and prayed for me wishing health happiness and blessing over the music” Since that day, wonders, tragedy, miracles continued to happen up to this moment of typing this and the future is hopeful for me today.  With that the story, this journey to be continued and to unfold…. Michael James

Instagram: @themichaeljamesmusic

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7AZettCHnsw