Tell us a little about your family.
I come from a family of seven. Four sisters and no brothers, along with my mother and father. All of my sisters are musically inclined and they all sing. That probably has a lot to do with my father who is an incredible musician. We grew up listening to him play the organ and keyboard and developed our love for music because of him. My mom is the oddball. She can sing a little bit, but that’s it. We are all very close to each other and enjoy spending time with each other. I thank God everyday for having such an incredible family.
Describe your spiritual journey.
I have been in and around church my entire life. I received the Holy Spirit around age five and haven’t looked back since then. I , like most people, struggled somewhat throughout my teen years, with just trying to find out who I was and who I was going to be. As a church kid I was always told what/who I was going to be instead of letting God reveal to ME what or who He wanted me to be. In time God made it clear who HE wanted me to be and I have been pursuing His plan for my life relentlessly every since then. I’m so thankful for the salvation that I have been freely given and only hope that I can share the good news with as many as I can before our time here is up.
What is your favorite Scripture in the Bible?
Wow. That’s hard. Do we have to pick just one? Lol. If I had to pick just one I think I would have to say II Corinthians 12:9-10.
What is your music background?
Like I stated earlier my biggest musical influence is my father. He is an incredible musician. He can play anything he puts his hands on. Besides him I would have to say my biggest vocal influence growing up was probably Daryl Coley, and Smokie Norful, and Lauryn Hill. I grew up emulating everything these incredible singers did vocally. I would rewind tapes over and over again until I was able to do exactly what they did. So that’s how I learned to sing. I sang my first solo around age ten or eleven in church. No one really knew I could sing except my family because I had been the drummer at my church since the time I was five, but after singing that first solo I have been singing in church every since then.
What is one of your favorite songs to sing? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite song to sing lately has been “Let Go” by DeWayne Woods (written by P.J. Morton). The lyrics are very simple yet they minister to me in a way that very few songs do. When we learn to let go and let God have complete control in our lives that’s when things really start clicking in our lives. I have learned, His plan is far superior to my plan. So why not trust Him?
Do you write your own songs?
Yes! I have been writing songs since the time I was five or six years of age. I have written over tow hundred songs. Thankfully my mom recognized the ability God had given me at a young age when she heard me singing a song I made up off the top of my head. I was five and didn’t really realize what I was doing, but she did and bought me a notebook to start writing my lyrics in and it went from there. My writing process varies. Sometimes something someone says inspires me. Other times it may be life experiences that inspire me. Usually something inspires me. Life presents you with so many situations and experiences that can inspire you if you learn to look for them. That’s what I have learned to do. Very rarely do I sit down and force myself to write something. Inspiration happens so frequently and easily that I don’t really have to.
Where can we listen, purchase, and connect with you?
You can listen to my music on MyHopeRadio.com and my Facebook music page (www.facebook.com/wilsonejames) . I also have samples on iTunes. My music is available at the Pentecostal Publishing House, iTunes, cdbaby, and Amazon mp3. If you want to connect with me make sure to visit my Facebook music page!
Fun Stuff
What would you do with a million dollars?
Just sit and look at it. j/k After paying my tithes and offerings, I would probably build me a state-of-the-art studio and invest the rest of it.
What time in history would you like to visit for a week?
I would love to visit the period of time when Jesus was on the earth. What better way is there to spend a week than hanging with the God of the entire universe.
What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
Honey Bunches of Oat
What is your dream vacation spot?
I would probably have to say the Bahamas. Never been, but always wanted to go.
Who do you want to send a ‘shout out’ to?
A BIG shout out to all of my family and friends who have supported me through the years. There is no way I would be who I am without the guidance and leadership of so many of you. Thank you for believing in me!