Teaches in Nashville, TN

From Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Plays Guitar, and Violin

About

James is from Northern Ohio and moved to the Nashville area nine years ago to pursue music. James grew up jamming at bluegrass festivals in and around the Tri-state area. He placed first in a local guitar flat-picking contest when he was in high-school as well as garnering a tie for fourth place at the National Walnut Valley Mandolin Championship in Winfield, Kansas in 2009. James plays music professionally full-time, touring as a mandolin player with "Billy Droze and Kentucky Blue," and as the acoustic guitar player for the new up-and-coming bluegrass/new-grass group "The Green River Revue." James studied Jazz Guitar at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and received a scholarship for his performance studies in music for the duration of his College education. James is self-taught on the mandolin, and through his session work he has been featured on many different Artists' recordings. James has met, networked and performed with many significant names in the bluegrass industry. He has experience teaching both guitar and mandolin to people of all ages and skill-sets, through online video lessons and in-person from when he worked and managed "The Mandolin Store" for over two years while they were located in Goodlettsville, Tennesee. James is most comfortable teaching acoustic styles of music, such as flat-picking guitar, some jazz, bluegrass/classical mandolin, and his own blend and style that incorporates influences from many different genres and instruments. James bases his teaching approach on the level of seriousness and realistic goals that his students are after, and excels in finding exciting and creative new ways to help spark inspiration. James loves animals and he has three fat and happy cats.