Letter to Independent Musicians and the South African Music Industry: Advice please!!!

Hey everyone

Let me start by saying a huge thanks for all the support from my fans and from some amazing music industry people.

This is a letter to all my fellow independent musicians in South Africa and abroad. Why is it that in South Africa, if you aren't in the friendship circle with all the "big dogs" in the industry they don't even look in your direction? I mean, why does it have to depend on your genre for people to pay attention?
I recorded an album in 2012 and in all this time I've had the world of crap with SA Radio because my music is too Country for South African Radio. Then I release a song that has a little more of a rock feel to it and they say it's too Rock for South African Radio. Then this whole SABC Radio stations having to play 90% local content, I think, "Yes man awesome this could my opportunity" but NO... I get, "Sorry it doesn't meet our criteria", or in some instances I've had to wait up to 10 weeks after submission and still no response. Then when I call to follow up I get, "Sorry we are too busy to get around to listening to your song. We'll get back to you" and some even give me some attitude cos I call all the time (Which in this exact situation was the 2nd time I called in 10 weeks). One person even told me I should consider changing my genre to suit the SA Radio criteria if I want to "Make It" in this business.

I'm so damn confused.... What do we need to do to get this Country's music industry to pay attention to us. We have some amazing artists and talent coming out of our beautiful Country and they just don't get the exposure they quite rightly deserve. I mean I've watched insanely talented musicians quitting (Okay that is also a decision they've made, I get that no one forced them to quit) cos doors just keep closing. Can you blame them? I've even found myself (After 17 years) looking in the mirror and wondering what the hell I'm doing in this career.

Festivals, I cant tell you how many Festivals I've applied for in the passed 10 years or so, from being in Rocks band to now in Country/Rock and all you get is, "We'll get back to you". An opportunity is all we're asking for people.

What advice do my fellow musicians and/or industry people have for us?

Rising from the shadows

Hey Everyone

I'm sure you've seen the rumors of my single dropping soon. Well its totally true. During the month of April my new single "Its Always You" will be available for online sale via CDBaby.com

Anyway, enough about that...

As mentioned in my previous blog, 2015 was the worst year for my career and private life and I found myself creeping into a dark hole that I've struggled to get out of. All I can say is that I am blessed with a very strong woman in my life. My wife has stuck it out with me through it all and with her support and encouragement I'm starting rise from the shadows. I am getting my career back on track every day, one step at a time. I started doubting my love for Country music as well and tried getting back to my rock routes, ladies and gentlemen, I've been miserable, don't get it wrong. I'll always have a deep connection with my rock routes but my heart lies in Country music, that's why bands like Brantley Gilbert, Florida Georgia Line and Darius Rucker have had such an influence in my current single release and my album "Your Song". With the blend of Rock and some good ol' Country you can't go wrong.Facebook Fan Page

It's Always You was written by Gavin Edwards, Rob De Sa and Nashville's very own, Trey Matthews and the lyrics of this song has hit home for me big time. Especially during my dark time this line, "Like the rain outside of my window, I swear that it's never gonna stop" really picked me up. The point is, It does stop raining and the sun always comes out.

I've been working hard on some new musical ventures to benefit my career and I cant wait to share it with y'all. Until the next blog remember to keep your eyes on my Facebook Fan Page.

Read...

Hey everyone

It's been over 2 years since my last blog post. 2014 was an amazing year I won't lie but a very expensive year as well as I got a reality check as 2015 hit. Let's just say flying in the clouds isn't always a good thing. It's important to always stay grounded. 2014 was my year of living it up and making mistakes and 2015 was my year of paying the price at mine and my family's expense. NOT COOL YO!!!
I'm blessed to have the most supportive and understanding wife that's for sure. ..

2016 unfortunately hasn't been the best start either but there's a very bright light at the end of this tunnel people.

I'm getting back onto my Country Wagon and getting back on the road and releasing some new content in the next few months... work is still a little slow but that's okay cos we are busy with a few massive plans...

I'm blogging today as an apology to everyone I've hurt in 2015 and I just want to say that I'm doing things very different this time around. I've always been known as a very straight forward person and I'm in the process of getting that part of me back.

This is my 1st post for 2016 and for sure not the last.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this

#moderncountry #gjteam #itsalwaysyou #iamgarethjames #loud&proud

My resolutions for 2014

Hey everyone

Long time no see hey. What a year 2013 was hey. Rough and full of lessons, which had led to my resolutions for 2014.

All the lessons I learned I will be sure to implement in the New year. I'll sadly be spending some time away from my beautiful wife and child but I'm blessed with a family that supports my career to the fullest and knows what it takes to break it in SA.

I'm gonna make sure that I enjoy every moment I have with my family and friends. I missed so much with my closest friends.

A very important resolution I have is that I will under no circumstances allow a venue owner to play games with my career as I have the last few years.

I'm so looking forward to releasing my single in the next few months. That's going to be my career breaker (positive much hahahaha).

Loads more resolutions where that came from but I'm not going to waste your time with that.

What is your New Year's resolution?

One Look Into The Making Of "YOUR SONG"

Have a look y'all... Just some info I thought you might enjoy. My youtube channel is standing at 3604 views and my facebook fan page is on 377 likes... Lets get things moving so get liking and viewing :)

Gareth James Chronicles (Episode 5 Promo Video) - This Is Love

My thoughts on song writing... like it or not?

So I just thought I'd give y'all my thoughts on my other passion which is, song writing. Guys, writing songs is like an emotional outlet and when something great comes together, its a feeling I cant describe. I've been researching and reading and studying up on the art of writing songs and yes, its an art. I love songs that have a story and a story that you dont need to decyfer to get the idea. That's why I love Country music so much. The stories are honest, not subtle at all and straight to the point. I also love songs that use a metaphor to explain a story eg. Heart Attack by Demi Levato where she uses a heart attack to explain lovesickness. Brilliant concept or Taylor Swift's "Love Story", where she uses the Romeo and Juliet story where in actual fact it was inspired by her being grounded and she had plans to go on a date with her boy friend.

Song writing is the best form of therapy for anger, heart ache, longing, happiness or pretty much any emotion for that matter. Ive sometimes over heard conversations and just one line inspired a song or someone elses sad story is great for inspiring songs. I wrote a song called "Crazy" which is a love song that was dedicated to my best friend and her husband and it ended up their wedding march. How wonderful is that?

I believe in giving good songs credit where its due, whether it be jazz, rock, pop or rap. If its a good song, its good, bottom line. I get soo irritated with alot of these new musicians or people in general that knock an artist cos its not their flavor. Guys, it takes all types of flavors to make the world go round. A great example, JUSTIN BIEBER, this kid is sooooo damn talented as a musician, he puts some really good drummers to shame and that's only one of the instruments he's mastered. Besides, whether you like him or not, you still find yourself humming along to his tunes, even it is to rip it, chances are you're singing the words to make fun of it BUT YET YOUR SINGING THE WORDS WHICH MEANS YOU KNOW IT and that at the end of the day is whats making this kid money and loads of it and why he is selling out arenas and stadiums and why you have to take your girlfriend and be one the of the majority. You chop!!!!

Guys, stop being so close minded. Open up your minds to new things. you'll probably be blown away at what talents there are out there.

Stay awesome and please feel free to post your comments.

Cheer for now :)