IVOR JAMES - THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC
Ivor was born on the 22nd July 1943 in Derby. Ivor’s mother, who was a talented singer and pianist, supplemented the family income by playing and singing in pubs and clubs, rehearsing daily at home. His dad was a truck driver and Ivor would often go with him on trips in the lorry. Ivor can still vividly remember hearing Country Music being played on the juke boxes in the truckers’ cafes. Ivor also had two great uncles who had a "Hillbilly" band in the 1940s and ‘50s, playing many of the Country songs which had been popularised on this side of the Atlantic by American troops during and after World War II.
From this childhood filled with music, Ivor was caught up in the great Rock n’ Roll and Skiffle boom in the ‘50s. He learned the guitar and formed a skiffle group with three school pals. This band stayed together and developed over the next ten years, carrying Ivor and his Country roots into the "swinging 60s".
Ivor’s working life caused him to move around the country fairly frequently in the 1970s and ‘80s, and this resulted in him leaving a trail of bands behind him as he progressed. Ivor then decided to try his luck as a solo artiste, and he quickly found that this suited him and his semi-nomadic life style as he was able to transport his act from one area to another without the complication of starting another band.
When changes in the system brought Ivor’s work career to an abrupt end in 1993, he struck out as a fully professional performer, specialising in his first love, Country Music.
"The Original Ivor James" is a CD carrying twelve of Ivor’s original songs. The songs are frequently requested at Ivor’s live gigs, and they receive a fair amount of air play on various local radio stations during Country Music programmes.
The albums mentioned above were recorded at Pete Haywood’s studio in North Derbyshire, and Pete and other musicians are featured on them and credited on the sleeves. Ivor has also produced some "D.I.Y." recordings in his small home studio, and he has recently released his "D.I.Y." album, which features twelve new songs. Ivor has also recorded and produced the album himself, and as he says on the sleeve notes, he also played all the instruments, sang the lead and harmony vocals, made the tea, greased the van, cleaned the windows and swept the chimney! For the technically minded, he produces the basic backing tracks on a computer, playing all the electronic and acoustic instruments himself, as well as providing the main and harmony vocals.
Ivor's act continues to develop and evolve, and now features music suitable for line and partner dancing, as well as a programme designed for "listening" audiences in a concert setting. He also includes many of his self written songs. He is currently working on a new album and has plans for a further album of self composed songs in the near future. Ivor is able, if requested, to provide a fully acoustic set or indeed a fully self written set.
