Brendan James | |
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Brendan James
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Background information | |
Born |
Nashua, New Hampshire, United States |
17 July 1979
Origin | Derry, New Hampshire, United States |
Genres | Soft rock, pop rock, folk rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
Instruments | Vocals, piano |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels | Decca Records |
Website | www.BrendanJames.com |
Brendan James is an American, piano-based singer/songwriter from Derry, New Hampshire. James spent his early music career playing at New York City open mics before he signed to Capitol Records in 2005. At Capitol he spent a year and a half recording his debut album, but was dropped before its release during the Capitol Records/Virgin Records merger in 2007. After leaving Capitol, he self-produced and released an EP, The Ballroom Break-in. He signed to Decca Records in 2008 and has released two studio albums with the label. His debut album, The Day is Brave, was released in 2008, while his self-titled second album, Brendan James, came out in 2010. He has toured nationally to support the albums, including tours with artists such as Jason Reeves, John Mayer, Tyrone Wells, Matt White, and Amber Rubarth.
James was born Brendan James Ernst in Nashua, New Hampshire on 17 July 1979, to parents Patricia and Randy, and is of Irish and German descent. He moved to Derry, New Hampshire, when he was four and, after the divorce of his parents, alternated living between Derry and nearby Manchester, New Hampshire. James had an early interest in performing and singing, leading him to perform in school plays and musicals while growing up. He attended high school at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. After the death of a friend's mother, James sang "Candle in the Wind" at her funeral with a local music teacher he knew, Kevin Kandel, accompanying him on piano. The collaboration began a friendship between the two and Kandel helped spur James's interest in music.