Copy of interview with David Breth of David Breth and Associates/Magictainment
:: Interview - Chris W. James
Interview is with the amazing and diverse performer Chris W. James.
Renown for his catchy music and thought provoking lyrics, Chris has a view to share that can only be gained through years of struggling to become known in the music industry.
Chris is an Expert Author (www.EzineArticles.com) and is the founder and president of a not for profit organization “Music Can Heal” (www.musiccanheal.org) and author of, Music-Inside My Head And Out Of My Mind, A Musical Journey Through Depression, available at Amazon.com.
David: Hi Chris, and welcome to this interview. First - tell our readers what type's of music you perform.
Chris: Hello there. Well, the word that comes to mind would be "eclectic." I think of myself as a builder, or an engineer, and music would be the tools to get the job done. I like to diversify it and write songs with all different styles of music. Growing up over the years my musical taste has changed somewhat, and like most people, I don't just like one style of music. I suppose the closest category would be a cross between rockabilly and folk.
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David: How did you get into music:
Chris: Well, my uncle is a phenomenal guitar player and singer. Watching him play when I was young and how he could take you away to the place in his heart, a make you actually feel the song he was playing really impressed me. I wanted to touch people in that way. So at the age of 12, I asked him if he would teach me.
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David: ...and who were your primary influences:
Chris: Mainly my uncle first, I absolutely was enamoured by his abilities. Quite a few songs were heard first through his interpretation of the song. So I would hear the original and say ," Hey! That doesn't sound right!" But it taught me a valuable lesson about taking a song and making it your own. As for celebrity musicians I would have to say Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and Mike Ness, who I believe to be the best songwriter of my generation. But I can find inspiration in just about anything, it's everywhere!
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David: How many shows and/or days a year do you perform:
Chris: Well, as of October of 2005, I suffered a vocal strain so I have been taking a break and going to vocal therapy. Performing has taken a backseat to the new website. I now only perform via special functions and events, and focus more on writing and public speaking.
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David: give us several examples of the type of songs you use in your performances.
Chris: If it is a light gathering, I prefer intimate, acoustic songs. I try not to play too many of other peoples music. I like sing along type settings, where the crowd is part of the show. I may throw in a few oldies that everyone knows for fun.
For larger shows I use a back up band, and like to make the show as big as possible. Almost like a wrestling event.
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David: How often do you practice, and do you practice every day.
Chris: I practice everyday, for at least an hour. Even with the vocal strain, I still have to do vocal exercises twice per day, so I sing warm up songs for about 15 minutes, then hit the higher notes as I progress. A few songs I am still waiting on until I am fully capable again.
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David: How do you go about writing a new song.
Chris: Usually, I get a part of a verse and a chord or two in my head, almost always at the "wrong" times. Like driving, or taking a shower, sometimes in the middle of the night. Then I grab my guitar, play the chords, and speak the lyrics that I know. Then I work on that and hum the parts that I don't know, and fill them in as the song progresses. Then I have a Tascam 4-track recorder that I record my initial idea on. I give it a day or so, then come back and see if I still like it. If I don't, I erase it and wait until the next inspiration.
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David: What separates you from other musicians and why?
Chris: I think there are a lot of good musicians out there. I think what separates me from them is that I like to constantly evaluate myself and I don't let myself get overconfident with my successes. I try to be accessible to everyone. Because I am no better than anyone else, I don't beat myself up if I screw up on a song, or if some don't like what I'm doing. You can't take yourself too seriously. I aspire to make my ego non-existent.
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David: Do you use any paid advertising. If so - what works best for you.
Chris: Very minimal advertising. I prefer to let the press advertise for me, and do book and CD signings whenever possible to keep myself out in the public eye. The one constant cost to my advetising budget is my website, which is worth every penny. You can not find any marketing tool cheaper for the returns you recieve via visitors and orders.
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David: You recently started a not for profit organization “Music Can Heal” (www.MusicCanHeal.Org ), what is the purpose of this organization?
Chris: Wow, It's brand new! What we do there is feature artists with meaningful lyrics and songs, and put out an annual compilation CD of the 12 featured artists for the year, then donate the proceeds of the CD to help musicians being treated for depression. Since I was diagnosed with depression in 2000/2001, I know personally how hard it is to be understood by others, and to understand whats going on yourself. MusicCanHeal is trying to educate the public about depression. A depressed person isn't crazy, and we want to erase the stigma that comes with being diagnosed. The national institute of mental heath states that "depression is the leading cause of disability in the US, and worldwide." But still most people ignore the symptoms in themselves and others. It's known as the "invisible disease." We want to change that.
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David: Where do you see “Music Can Heal” in the next five years?
Chris: I would like to see it as the leading site for good, solid information about depression. I think employers should visit there to understand employees problems, and family members with a loved one or partner suffering can get information and help. I hope people that are feeling sick can come and feel better, get information, and listen to some meaningful music to heal the mind. I would like to become national spokesman for the site with worldwide reach. It would be great to have a telethon each year to raise money and awareness.
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David: What difference has investing your time and finances into effective marketing become for you and your music
Chris: It's made all the difference! Without proper marketing, you are throwing your hard earned money away. When you run an ad campaign that you're paying you're hard earned money for, you can't shotgun your advertising. You need to write good ad copy, research your prospects, and bring people that are looking for your product to your door.
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David: What percentage of your live performances are acoustic, and why..
Chris: For some time what I was doing was going into bars, parties, anywhere I could and just show up and play. Kind of like what a comedian does to hone his skills and practice. I still do occasionally. I really like the intimacy of a small crowd, and all I need to set it up is myself and a guitar. So keep your eyes open, that may just be me up there yodeling!
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David: Do you use any pre-recorded music/vocals, and if so, what has been most successful for you. Also, do you use a back-up band.
Chris: I do not currently use pre-recorded music or vocals. We used to poke fun at musicians that did insinuating that they could not play their own songs. However, the more time I spend in Las Vegas, the more I warm up to the idea. Just about every performer out there does that trick. To be competitive, you almost have to. I do use a back up band if it's required to get the message/song across. Some songs just don't come off right acoustically.
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David: I know you have your own line of merchandise. Any plans to market a DVD or ebook in the near future. Do you sell back-in products after your performances.
Chris: Yes, I do plan to market a DVD of music videos soon. Actually, three of the vids have already been shot in Las Vegas, and Red Rock Canyon. I have no problem selling back-in products anytime, anywhere.
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David: Your book, "Music, Inside my Head and Out of my Mind" is an interesting concept and read. Please describe your book, the music and songs that go with it (what makes it unique)
Chris: Well, What I wanted to do was tell my story of depression, and the things that made it easier for me, personally. It has some great, true stories and I don't hold anything back as to what I was feeling at the time. Whether it be wanting to kill myself or how the stigma of depression made returning to work an imposibility. The cool niche' about the book is that the songs I wrote during the treatment are included with the book, on a 26 song audio CD. Each chapter corresponds to a song. With different "bonus" versions of the songs included, as my mindset changed, so did the songs.
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David: I have heard your music on your web site (www.chriswjames.com), what has the primary benefit(s) been for your career by having your songs available free to listen to on your site
Chris: The internet is by far THE best marketing tool a musician can have. Any business for that matter. You have the ability to let the world know who you are, and in my case, listen to who I am. You can't beat it. The cost for a worldwide advertisement 24 hours a day seven days a week, even when your sleeping people are finding out about you and your business.
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David: You and I have a mutual marketing mentor in Dan Kennedy. How much difference does Dan and his marketing techniques have on your bottom line.
Chris: Number one, I read Dan's book, "No B.S. Sales Success" and was instantly hooked. I like his writing style. I hear it bothers others, but I don't like long winded people that waste my time with fancy catchphrases and made up terms, and Dan doesn't either, so I was naturally drawn to his style of marketing. Bottom line, It works!
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David: If you could have any three current musicians over for dinner and an extended session, who would you invite and why?
Chris: I would like to have Bob Dylan, Mike Ness, and Willie Nelson. Mainly because of their ability to write their feelings out on paper, and although they are not great singers, they transcend that because of their great writing ability. They are true poets with a guitar. I would like to think we all would have quite a bit in common to jam to.
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David: I noticed you have composed music and lyrics for the world-famous wrestler Scott Steiner (AKA-“Big-Poppa-Pump”, a longtime well known tag team champion as part of the Steiner Brothers) and your web site link and your song is on his “official” web site (www.bootydaddy.com). How did this come about?
Chris: I have always been a huge fan of Scotts, and when he was shooting his workout DVD he needed music. I thought I had a great idea for a song and recorded it in the studio with my own money. I sent it to his people and they loved it. The rest is history.
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David: What are your plans for the next year Chris.
Chris: To move to Las Vegas, promote my new book, do as many book signings as possible and meet everyone that wants to meet me, all while bringing awareness to depression. Hopefully by meeting me, people will realize that people being treated for depression are just like anyone else with a sickness, and need love and support and u-n-d-e-r-s-t-a-n-d-i-n-g. A little goes a long way.
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You can visit Chris at his site: www.chriswjames.com and www.musiccanheal.org find out more about his CDs and his new book, "Music...Inside my Head and Out of my Mind" available through www.amazon.com
Google Press
EDGEWOOD, MD, February 05, 2009 Harford County musician and author, Chris W. James helps raise over $60,000 for the Crohn's and Colitis foundation by giving the gift of music to the documentary, Rubber Side Down: From the Rockies to The Rock.
A pet project of Editor Andy Peterson, of the hit Television show, Survivorman, Rubber Side Down follows two cyclists riding from coast to coast to raise money to fight Crohn's and Colitis.
Every Year Crohn's Disease affects over half a million residents of US and Canada.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus. It is named after the physician who described the disease in 1932. It also is called granulomatous enteritis or colitis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis.
Says Chris, "I didn't have to do a lot of work, cyclists Greg (Mailloux) and Vin (Heney) were the real hero's here, but I'm glad to be able to help out a great cause." I love making music, and their cause inspired me after watching the trailer Andy (Peterson) sent me.
" We've met before, when I sent Andy music for Survivorman, after completing music for movie soundtrack China Dolls." Plus I like the positive message of the saying, Rubber Side Down which basically means " Be safe."
James, no stranger to illness himself, is a motivational speaker on depression awareness and self empowerment, authored the book, " Music Inside My Head and out of My Mind." available at Amazon and retailers everywhere.
The movie, Rubber Side Down, premiers in April 3rd. Find out more at: http://www.rubbersidedownmovie.com see how you can help join the fight.
We Have A Winner. Maryland Musician Nominated For Best Of Vegas Award
Maryland musician Chris W James nominated for Best Of Las Vegas Award in Las Vegas Review Journal's 2009 Best of Las Vegas Contest.
PRLog – Feb 17, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nevada. Maryland musician Chris W James nominated for "Best of Las Vegas" in the Las Vegas Review Journal's annual Best Of Las Vegas contest.
Mr James was nominated for Best Use of Las Vegas in Movies or TV, for his song, "Las Vegas" used in Don Barnhart's movie, ChinaDolls. The song was inspired in part by mayor Oscar Goodman and wife Carolyn's 1964 move to Las Vegas from Philadelphia, which is just an hour away from Mr James.
"I first visited Las Vegas in 2004 and was completely in awe of the bright lights and beautiful scenery," says James. "I immediately grabbed my guitar and wrote my song, Las Vegas. As soon as I got back to Maryland I booked the studio and laid down the track."
Mr James also returned the following year to film his music video for Las Vegas in Red Rock Canyon, directed by local film maker Rick Shipley.
"Chris is a true Las Vegas fan," States Shipley. "He approached me about filming the video and when I heard the song and immediately jumped on board."
To celebrate the nomination, On Friday Feb 21, 2009 you can download the video free at www.chriswjames.com
LAS VEGAS, NV, March 22, 2009 -- Entertainer and Author Chris W James, has just inked a deal to appear at The Plaza Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas for the 1st annual Xanadu Sci-Fi Festival.
The festival is a Sci-Fi nerds eutopia. Want to meet the guy that blew up the Death Star? How about The "Pupper Master"? Maybe screen siren Chase Masterson as the "green girl" on Star Trek does it for you? They are all here and accessible in this wonderland of weirdness.
Maryland musician Chris W. James has created music for two of the movies that will be premeiring at the festival, Baltimore's Dangerous Mode, and Las Vegas' China Dolls.
Chris has also created music for former WWE and current TNA wrestler "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner, The performing Duo Magictainment, Commercials,
and authored the book, "Music-Inside My Head And Out of My Mind" a self help autobiography for artists and entertainer's dealing with depression and bipolar disorder and will serve as an expert panel member for " Music For Movies," and playing his song, "Las Vegas" written for Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.
"I'm looking forward to meeting my Las Vegas fans and enjoying the warm weather out there," states Chris. "I just hope it's cold and rainy here in Maryland while I'm enjoying the warmth of the Vegas sun," he says with a laugh. "Come down Friday April 17, 2009 and bring your instrument at midnight to sit in with me and director Rick Shipley. It's going to be a blast."
Indeed, it appears James has left the cloudy days behind him. Besides the movie soundtracks and Television, Chris has created the Savvy Marketing Series courses and taught at Harford Community College, been featured on the cover of Baltimore's What's Happening Magazine, and speaks on depression awareness. "By bringing awareness to depression, I help fight the stigma that people associate with it. You can live a normal life and be successful, I'm living proof," states James.
In any given year, one in five Americans will experience a mental illness. Clinical depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year, but fewer than half of all people suffering from depression seek treatment, believing they can treat it themselves, or that it's a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness. Visit The National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov) for information on depression, or visit your doctor as soon as symptoms start.
