I was actually born in the West. San Rafael to be exact. In the 60's, my family moved to the Central Coast of California, to a small town called Nipomo. It was great there and we grew up on a Ranch type environment. I relocated to TN in 2008 and love it here. Today, there are many more freedoms here in TN and the dolloar goes a lot further than CA. Nashville has some of the best players in the World and they are just 30 minutes away. I tend to write songs in many categories. I don't put myself in any songwriting box, but view each song as a Stepping Stone to the next. I get many of my song "Hooks" from things people say in passing.
Be careful what you say around me, it might just end up in a song.
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Believe it or not....I was a Regular Dancer for four years on American Banstand back in the 90's and I was on the show when it went off the Air. I learned many things about TV sets, cameras, plus the whole studio process. I also appeared on a Nashville show called, "Be a Star". I sang some of my originals when on the show. I've had a few bands and one was called, "Sons of Light". We primarily did outreach and used to sing quarterly for Marine Recruits at Edson Range (Camp Pendelton) in Southern California. You can see some videos of the Recruits singing Amazing Grace and other songs on my You Tube channel. Click here to see it now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afkn572YKz8
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I got Saved at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. I was involved in Prison Ministry thru that Church for years. I led worship for many different inmates and at many different prisons. Prison Ministry is awesome. I also used to lead worship in the San Bernadino Mountains at the Calvary Chapel, Twin Peaks Conference Center, Sunday Evening Bible Study. Mike Mugavero was my Pastor there. I recommend Calvary Chapel to anyone seeking a good church in Southern California. Jack Hibbs at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, is a great Teacher, Pastor and friend. His kids used to listen to my old country album called, "The Bible Beater" over and over..lol.
I acquired the Nickname "Westborn" when in a Blues Band. We occasionally played at a fancy parties in Newport Beach, California. Once a Lady that held a high-end party wanted me to give her our Band Name to put on her flyers...for her friends to see. We didn't have a Name, we were just a bunch of good players, that played for free at fancy parties when asked. She said, "James, I really need a Band Name! All my Friends want to know who's playing". So, off the cuff I told her, "Just put Westborn Blues". The night of the party, after the first set, everyone was calling me Westborn. I was the Singer / Frontman. Those were fun times.
Thanks for reading, listening and streaming.