JAMES GREGORY: Origin Story Interview by Jenna Rose

Local rock & country artist, James Gregory took some time to talk to us about his new single, I Ain't Your Dog, overcoming alcoholism, his faith, and using music as an outlet.  

Hello James, welcome! Please introduce yourself - what are the most important things we should know about you? 

James Gregory: I’m an acoustic rock singer/songwriter. I was raised in Washington State and grew into my teenage years when the grunge scene blew up. I lived two hours west of Seattle.

Tell us about your current project - what should we know about it? 

JG: I have a country single out called Easy. I’m mainly rock based and am in the middle of the recording process for my first [rock] single, ”I Ain’t Your Dog.” You can hear some of this live at various venues as I go out to open mics and writers nights. Also, check my website with links to YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify.

Who are your musical and general life influences and in what ways do we hear them come out in this project? 

JG: Chris Stapleton, Sound Garden, Pearl Jam, Elvis. I write about a lot of dark things such as addiction as I have fought alcoholism most of my life. I’ve been sober almost 5 years now and gave my life to Christ. I write about those things but with a glimpse of hope. I’ve been through the system and in and out of foster care at a very young age. Music has always been my outlet. My hope is to reach people in dark places and bring them the strength to go on.

Sounds like some serious inspiration! As those themes carry over into your current project, what are you hoping that your audience takes away or learns about you through experiencing it?

JG: Everything from love to loss of love, to addiction, and then to salvation.

Why was this track/project written initially? Has its meaning evolved or been added to over time?

JG: The country single “Easy” is my testimony about the struggle I went through but most importantly…what my wife and kids went through not giving up on me. The meaning will never change.

 As I pile up more songs to eventually fill a full album, Easy will always tell my story in 4 minutes or less…plus it will showcase my writing. I love cowriting so it’s important for me to show others what I can bring to the writing rooms.

Tell us how you've gotten to this point - What is your story and how does it lead you here? 

JG: I promised God if He could take my cravings for alcohol away I’d never drink again. He lived up to his and so am I. This is how I got back to writing and performing again. Alcohol got in the way of wanting to pursue much of anything. It took me a while to figure out how to write again once I quit my crutch of smoking and drinking while writing. I gave up smoking and chewing the same month I quit alcohol.

Why did you originally decide to pursue a career in music? 

JG: Becoming a writer/artist has been my dream since I was four years old. I was inspired by Elvis through his albums and old movies.

I didn’t start really writing until I turned 20 years old. I wanted to be an artist mainly and learned rock covers on guitar in my teen years.

I didn’t even know what cowriting was even though I wrote with a friend in the Army back in 2002-2003 when I was stationed in Hawaii.

The thought of moving to Nashville was a pipe dream to me until my wife said let’s save and go. We made the move in April of 2016.

Its really powerful to have such a great support system. When you are not creating music what do you like to do in your free time to be your own support system? 

JG:  like to eat, fish, go hiking with my kids, play with our three dogs, and watch war and music documentaries. I also like working on my website and the new blog I started where I write about the venues I’ve played at and the people I’ve met.

What does the next year look like for you and your career? 

JG: It’s going to be a busy year in and out of the studio, polishing up my website, and creating content and merch to go with the singles I’ll be releasing. It’s a big branding and branching out year for me as I’m very unknown.

Lets get to know you a little with some fun questions. What are you watching or reading right now? 

JG: The Bible; Tom Jackson’s Live Music Method. I also love watching Rick Beato’s interviews on Youtube.

If you could have dinner with one person living or passed, who would it be? 

JG: Chris Cornell

Tell us about your pets!

JG: I have 3 dogs (Sir Charles Barkley; Bella; and our newest edition…Hero, a black lab we got last Memorial Day)

What is the best concert you have ever been to? 

JG: I went to the Nothing But Thieves concert recently at Marathon Music Works. So good!

​​If you could have dinner anywhere tonight where would it be and what would it be? 

JG: The City Winery and it would be their duck pizza!

What is at the top of your bucket list? 

JG: Seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person and then watching the tree lighting at Times Square.

Ok back to something a little deeper - How has music affected your life (positively and/or Negatively)? 

JG: No negative things about music, but music has positively affected my life as it’s a way for me to reflect, grow, and reach people I never would’ve met without. I’m naturally introverted but love playing out.

What do you struggle with the most in your musical endeavors? 

JG: Stage presence. I’m an introvert and write about very personal things so I’m always thinking about what others might say and think. I’m getting better the more I play out though!

Aesthetic tends to reveal some interesting stuff - Describe your aesthetic and why it represents you. 

JG: I always wear vans and a Mariners ball cap. It’s always been how I dress but as most say, it’s very Seattle! Which does represent me coming from Washington State.

What great symbolism of your roots! Thank you for taking the time for us to get to know you a bit. If someone was curious about our music, where could they find you? 

Website: www.jrgregorymusic.com

Spotify: James Gregory on Spotify