ames House has sung radio hits, written successful songs for others, built a studio and been a session musician and a record producer.
But when he began playing music on his own at age 18, he gravitated to the sounds of The Beatles, Loggins & Messina, Van Morrison, Crosby, Stills & Nash and the like. His big, versatile, emotive singing voice gained him a pop recording contract in Los Angeles. He also sang on the soundtracks of such films as Teen Wolf II, Fire With Fire, Gleaming the Cube, Speed Zone and He’s My Girl. In 1983, House took a plunge into rock recording with a self-titled LP for Atlantic Records. His songs were recorded by pop artists like Rita Coolidge, Lisa Hartman, Fiona, Fee Waybill and Kylie Minogue.
His music publisher urged him to turn his attention back to country music. James House moved to Nashville in January 1988. By the following year, he was an MCA Records artist and on the country charts with singles such as “Hard Times for an Honest Man.”
In 1993, Diamond Rio had a huge hit with House’s co-written “In a Week or Two” and Dwight Yoakam scored with his “Ain’t That Lonely Yet.” (Grammy nominated for Country Song of the year). His country songs were also recorded by Ricky Van Shelton, Mark Collie and The Mavericks.
James House roared up the country charts, himself, with 1995’s “This Is Me Missing You.” That same record was revived as a hit in England in 2013. With “This Is Me” reaching #1 and two other tracks from the album “Little By Little” and “ A Real Good Way to Wind up Lonesome” both reaching the Top 10 of the UK Country Dance Chart in 2014.
Martina McBride took his co-written “A Broken Wing” to No. 1 on the country hit parade in 1998 where is was also nominated for CMA song of the year. Since then, James House’s songs have been recorded by country stars such as Steve Holy, Lorrie Morgan, Sara Evans, David Ball, Craig Morgan and Steve Azar as well as by the pop/rock acts Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Olivia Newton-John and Bonnie Tyler. House also continued to record, most recently a 2008 Christmas record.
In 2008 I bought recording gear for a home studio – Dream On Studios – and learned how to record. The learning curve was slow and intense. I’ve worked with some great producers and engineers over the years and I’ve learned from each of them. “I watched and listened and I’m still listening “
Most recently he’s co/produced his new critically acclaimed CD “Broken Glass /Twisted Steel with hit producer Michael Bradford (Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker) that was released in April 2014 on his own Victor House Records and distributed in the UK and Australia by Proper Records. He and Bradford also just produced the upcoming Tayla Lynn Vinyl Single “Honky Tonk Girl” that features her iconic grandmother Loretta Lynn.
With a new CD, his Grand Ole Opry debut in May and second appearance in August and a SOLD OUT 19-city tour of the UK in July of 2014, House is on a roll. He is already writing for the follow-up album set for early 2015 release, to be titled "No Fear". James is also planning a big return to Europe to take place in March/April 2015. “I love everything about making music. “There have been ups and downs, but that’s where the songs come from.”
© Moments By Moser Photography * Bev Moser
