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Songwriter And Composer, James Slater, Talks About His Musical Journey

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James Slater Trop Rock

Photo courtesy Jeff Cohen Moonshine Images

If you attended the Lone Star Luau 2 recently in Marble Falls, Texas, as I did, I hope you were able to catch James Slater in a terrific performance. I sat down with him before the weekend was over and found out about his tropical upbringing and his vast list of hit songs, performed by some of the biggest music names around.

James was born in North Carolina, but did most of his growing up in the Panama Canal Zone. His dad was chief of psychiatry in a local hospital and his mom is from Bolivia, hence James’ swarthy and handsome coloring and features. He is a dedicated pianist, although he, like most boys, didn’t love the practicing when his friends were out playing sports. His folks found him a winning piano teacher, however, who loved Santana and taught him some classic Santana licks.

James Slater Trop Rock

Photo courtesy Vickie Vaughan

James would start actually writing songs and performing at age 15. College was at the University of Miami and the real songwriting bug hit when he composed the song “All I Want From Santa is a Girl From Atlanta.” The song was recorded, took off, and so did Jame Slater’s composing career.

A truly engaging performer, James went to Los Angeles and started playing piano five nights a week in Carol O’ Connor’s (remember Archie Bunker?) establishment. Before too long, however, he moved to Switzerland and fell in love with Europe. He was part of a band called “Vaya Con Dios.” Seven years passed in Europe, but after 9/11 happened in New York City, he felt as if he should get back to the States. He moved to Nashville to write and to be near family.

And did he ever write! His song that probably rings the most memory bells with folks is “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” recorded by Martina McBride. This sweet ballad was actually written for his niece, and was nominated for a Grammy award.

James Slater Trop Rock

Photo courtesy Jeff Cohen Moonshine Images

Many, many more songs have flowed from James’ musical creativity and artists such as Tim McGraw (“Mexicoma”), Carrie Underwood (“Forever Changed”), Kenny Chesney (“The Life”), Willie Nelson,  Reba McEntire, Lady Antebellum, Enrique Iglesias and many others have recorded his compositions.

Many of us know him for “Key West Address,” which the mayor of Key West, Florida calls the “Official Song of Key West.” James said he traveled to Cayo Hueso for the Key West Songwriter’s Festival and fell in love with the town. He calls the catchy song his “love letter to Key West” and he captures the spirit and quirkiness of the town so well in the lyrics.

James Slater is an entertaining, chatty and convivial musician and we hope to see more of him soon in the Trop Rock world!

I live in Port Aransas, Texas and love all things Parrot Head and Trop Rock. I enjoy interviewing Trop Rock artists, attending events and always look forward to seeing Trop Rock friends from around the nation! Author of the Trop Rock lyric infused cozy mystery book "Schooled for Murder." Check out my website at www.CindyMuir.com

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