James Norman

What would take most people, two paragraphs to say, he can say in one verse.
- Alex Couey – Grammy Nominated Producer (Atlanta, GA)

You know the “it” that everyone is always talking about. Well, this cat’s got it!
- Andre Miller – Songwriter / Studio Musician (Nashville, TN)

James, I really enjoyed your set. It is refreshing to see talented young artists like you perform. I look forward to working with you in the future.
- Doug White - Owner of Fuzzy’s (Birmingham, AL)

James Norman thumbs through a notebook filled with pages of songs he's written -- stories from his heart scribbled out as they came to him, some while sitting on a stool in this very bar.
His thin frame rocks back and forth. His deep voice rises and warbles on key throughout the cozy bar. His worn boot lightly taps along with the beat.
"Man, he sounds like a young Bob Dylan," says a guy sitting on a black couch in the corner. Others murmur in agreement as Norman, 24, continues to wail this tail of drug abuse and addiction.
- Cassondra Kirby - excerpt from Lexington Herald Leader article (Lexington, KY)

James Norman Bio

Squeezing every drop of emotion from his body, with his distinctive voice and stylish placement of lyric, chord and melody James Norman spins tales of life through emotionally charged personal experiences. Including but not limited to love, loss, hate, drinking, drug abuse, desperation, guilt, and death. Determining what “genre” he would fit into proves to be difficult. He describes himself as a “singer/songwriter, rocker by the grace of God, alt-country mad man”. He also pulls on Americana/roots by blood influences and mixes them with the heart and soul of country and blues. Receiving comparisons to the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Sr, and Neil Young he exudes a life experience well beyond his years. His soulful lyrics paint a picture full of vivid colors and expression.

Born and raised in the hills of Eastern Kentucky he was surrounded by mountains and music. The mournfully lonesome sounds of Bluegrass and Country music rang through the hollers and howled in the wind. Inspired by various family members James began playing guitar at age 16. Immediately he discovered the value of using music as an outlet. Punk rock was a perfect vehicle for which a young teen boy could release his pent-up anger and aggressions and soon he started writing songs and playing in various rock and punk bands. As he matured so did his writing style. He discovered he did not need to scream to get his point across and he settled into finding ways to combine all of his influences to create a style more reflective of who he is. With the opening of Summit City a popular coffee shop / bar tucked away off Main Street in Whitesburg, KY James Norman now had a place to hone his skill’s and network with other songwriters. This led to the formation of Bottle Rocket Symphony a folk rock band.

Bottle Rocket Symphony played various shown in and around Kentucky and were featured on WMMT Crossroads Radio Show. The band split in 2008 and James resumed his solo career while writing and recording a new demo. James relocated to Atlanta, GA in the spring of 2009 to pursue his solo music career. He is currently booked to play various festivals and bars all over the Southeastern United States. He is the winner of the 2008 “Independent Spirit” songwriter contest and is set to record at Sun Studios in Memphis, TN this fall.