Born: May 15 1934 in Linden, TX.

Biography: Considered the best stand up Bass player in rock ‘n’ roll in the 50′s. Began his career in 1954 as a bass player on the Louisiana Hayride. Was an original member of Bob Luman’s band “The Shadows,” which included James Burton and Butch White. They played on Bob Luman’s Imperial recording of ” Red Cadillac and Black Mustache ” which is considered one the purest rock ‘n’ roll records ever recorded. James left Bob Luman and went to Hollywood to become a member of Rick Nelson’s band which recorded some of the best rock ‘n’ roll records of the 50′s.

James played stand up bass on Rick Nelson’s ” Believe What You Say ” which is considered the best Rock n Roll record of the 50′s if not in fact the best Rock n Roll recording ever. James had a four slap beat on the stand up bass that could only be played correctly by him. Many tried to copy his style.

James played on The ABC-Paramount recording by Bobby Lee Trammell ” Shirley Lee ” one of the most sought after recording of the 50′s and considered to be the purest Rock n Roll recording ever recorded.

James went on to work with Dale Hawkins, David Houston, Jim Reeves, and Tony Douglas before he retired from the music business in 1963.

Current Status: Today James is retired. He was an excellent welder by trade and retired from that line of work at his shop in Atherns, TX in 1991.

Inducted: September 11, 2007 at the First Annual Inductions Awards Ceremony in Oklahoma, City, OK.