Judy James

Artist Information

Biography

Judy James is a singer, guitar player and writer who sings each song with passion for the West and its history. Judy loves the West and its way of life. It’s her mission to “Keep Our Western Heritage Alive.” Producer Rich O’Brien says “she is a tireless ambassador of the Great American West”.

Judy has a golden voice that helps us not just hear, but feel the emotions of the West. These emotions are heard in her four recordings of Traditional Western Music and most recent recording of a gospel album:

My God And I - Full album of traditional hymns, Cowboy Music and one of America's favorites, "God Bless America", 12 songs - produced by Rich O'Brien

Beneath These Western Skies * – Full album of Cowboy Music, 12 songs – Produced by Rich O’Brien
Spirit of the West – Both traditional and newly composed songs to accompany Western Wisdom Educators’ Guide

The Gift of the Cowboy - Full album of Cowboy music, 12 songs – Produced by Rich O’Brien

Cowboy Jubilee – Full album of Cowboy Music, 12 songs – Produced by Rich O’Brien

*The song “Lizzie” was the #4 song in the top ten single releases in 2006 as chosen by the Heartland Public Radio listeners.

These three albums include many traditional Western songs as well as some that Judy has written. Each Judy James live performance encompasses the history and songs of the West. Audiences find themselves singing a Western tune after concerts and coming away with more knowledge of Western heritage.

Singer of Traditional Western Music
Judy has performed live at the following venues:

Tombstone Western Music Festival – Tombstone, AZ
National Cowboy Symposium – Lubbock, Texas
Doss Heritage & Culture Center – Weatherford, Texas
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering – Elko, Nevada
Charlie Russell Museum – Great Falls, Montana
Festival of the West – Scottsdale, Arizona
Texas Cowboy Gathering - Alpine, Texas
State Fair of Texas – Dallas, Texas
Charles Goodnight Festival - Claude,Texas
National Cowgirl Hall of Fame – Fort Worth, Texas
Western Music Association – Albuquerque, NM
Cowboys, Heroes & Friends – Branson, MO
Folk Alliance Festival – Austin, TX


Judy co-authored Parker County Legends, Trail Bosses and Wild Hosses (the true story of Oliver Loving and Charles Goodnight). As a West Quest Award Winner and Teacher of the Year, Judy continues teaching children about our ranching heritage through her school educational programs complete with her educator's guide Western Wisdom that she authored.

Each Saturday morning since 1997, "Cowboy Jubilee", a two-hour radio show of Western Music and Western Heritage which can be heard in the North Texas area and live on the Internet with host Judy James. Past guests of the show include Don Edwards, Jack Hannah, Les Gilliam, Cheryl Rogers Barnett, R. W. Hampton, Ann Saunders and others. For this show Judy has been nominated as Disc Jockey of the Year. Tune in to 89.1FM locally (North Texas) or go to www.qxfm.com for more information. The show airs live from 7:30 - 9:30 on Saturday mornings and is re-broadcast on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 and on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3:30 in the afternoons.

Instrumentation

Judy James - vocals and guitar

Discography

Latest release -
My God And I - Full album of traditional hymns, Cowboy Music and one of America's favorites, "God Bless America", 12 songs - produced by Rich O'Brien


Beneath These Western Skies - Song "Lizzie" was voted #4 single for 2006 on Heartland Public Radio
The Gift of the Cowboy, Cowboy Jubilee, Spirit of the West included in the Western Wisdom Educator's Guide

Links

• Facebook

Audio

• Lizzie
  Listen   Download
• My Palo Duro
  Listen   Download
• Beneath These Western Skies
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Lizzie
• My Palo Duro

Video

Coyotes

La Primera

Photo Gallery

Press

• Western Horseman [+ Show ]
  

  Western Horseman – January, 2007 The most recent offering from former teacher and choir director ...Western Horseman – January, 2007
  
  The most recent offering from former teacher and choir director – turned radio disc jockey and Western singer Judy James provides listeners with a great collection of easy-listening ballads. Mixed with the occasional history lesson, James’ music offers a great way to unwind after a long day horse back.
  Among the standouts of the CD are two songs James authored, “Lizzie” and “My Palo Duro”. Here’s where those history lessons come into play. “Lizzie” is the story of Lizzie Johnson, who drove her own cattle from Texas to the Kansas railways, while “My Palo Duro” tells the tale of Molly Goodnight becoming the first white woman to call the Palo Duro Canyon home. The nearest town, at the time, was some 200 miles away.
  The CD’s remaining 10 tracks are a collection of other artists’ songs, some familiar, some not, but all sung in classic fashion by James. Ian Tyson’s “La Primera” makes an appearance, as does Cindy Walker’s “Texas Waltz”.
  “Everyone loves a good waltz, and Cindy Walker does it best,” James offers in the CD’s liner notes.
  Closing out the CD is Greg Brown’s fun “Canned Goods” – a tribute to grandma’s canned vegetables.
  “Supper’s ready, everybody come on in, Taste a little love summer, grandma put it all in jars,” James sings.
  One of the more upbeat songs on the CD, “Canned Goods” is a sure-fire finale that’ll keep you coming back for more. – KP
  

• Dr. Walter Bishop [+ Show ]
  

  What a pleasure it is to be asked to critique Judy James’ newest album, Beneath These Western Skies....What a pleasure it is to be asked to critique Judy James’ newest album, Beneath These Western Skies. It is a unique collection of songs that took me back to another time and place much like where Judy so vividly portrays in her song. Judy James with her rich voice, range, perfect pronunciation and pitch add qualities of perfection that add so much to each of the twelve selections. I almost wanted to hear her sing a cappella. Her songs are historically accurate and authentic. It is an album that adds to the history and tradition of the American West. Judy James could be a star in any venue, but she chose Western Music, and we are richer by far for albums that she produces of the quality that we have of her newest release.

• Richard Slatta, Cowboy Professor [+ Show ]
  

  Each of the dozen songs on this CD features the clear, lilting voice and rich vibrato of Texan Judy ...Each of the dozen songs on this CD features the clear, lilting voice and rich vibrato of Texan Judy James. The minimalist arrangements, generally consisting of some strumming (Rich O’Brien on guitar or mandolin), Steven Story on fiddle and Ronny Ellis on bass, provide a fitting, attractive platform for James’s vocals.
  
  Given that James is a teacher as well as a singer, it should come as no surprise that songs with historical themes figure prominently. I’m a historian, so my favorites on this collection are both historical songs written by James. “My Palo Duro” tells the story of Mollie Goodnight, Charlie Goodnight’s wife who lived on a west Texas ranch 200 miles from the nearest town. Lizzie” celebrates Lizzie Johnson, “Cattle Queen of Texas,” who drove her own herd of cattle up the Chisholm Trail to Kansas. James also includes Ian Tyson’s “La Primera,” the legend of the first horse to arrive in the Americas from Spain.
  
  The remains eight songs offers glimpses into the western culture that James clearly loves. The CD title tune by Larry Hannon, “Who Will Watch the Home Place?” (Kate Long), “Fair Blows the Wind” (Gary Prescott), and “Canned Goods” all offer lyrical vistas of cowboy and ranch life. James also gives an excellent rendition of the Herb Newman and Stanley Lebowsky classic, “Wayward Wind.” The “Texas Waltz,” by Cindy Walker, will have you kicking up your heels in no time. James provides a delightful range of melodic treats for reminiscing, listening, or dancing.
  
  Richard W. Slatta
  
  

• Backforty Bunkhouse Productions [+ Show ]
  

  Judy James along with the incomperable Rich O'Brien has produced yet another western music masterpie...Judy James along with the incomperable Rich O'Brien has produced yet another western music masterpiece. Beneath These Western Skies, arranged so wonderful, one listen and you'll return to the yesteryears of our great western roots, we all love so much. We all work so hard to preserve the western heritage and Judy defines it all in her music. Destined to become western music album of the year, Beneath These Western Skies is the best I've heard in a long time.
  
  
  

• KGAF in Gainesville, TX [+ Show ]
  

  I just received your CD "Beneath These Western Skies" This is a very good CD overall and I wil... I just received your CD "Beneath These Western Skies"
  
  This is a very good CD overall and I will be playing some cuts from it during my Cowboy Hour - 10am to 11am.
  
  Personal favorites are 6, 9, 10, 11, 12. You write a good song. Keep it up. I like Gary Prescott's work too.
  

• Cowboyentertainer.com [+ Show ]
  

  "A talented lady shows off her talents on this album! This is one album you will be hearing songs fr..."A talented lady shows off her talents on this album! This is one album you will be hearing songs from on the radio and well deserved."

Setlist

"Beneath These Western Skies"
"Maria"
"Who Will Watch the Homeplace?"
"Fair Blows the Wind"
"Lizzie"
"My Palo Duro"
"My Hero Gene Autry"
"Tumblin' Tumbleweeds"
"Happy Trails"
This is based on a 30 minute set. My sets can run from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Basic Requirements

Calendar