James was born on August 21, 1939 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

He started performing at the age of 14 with Shreveport's famous “Louisiana Hayride.”

In 1955 he wrote and recorded "Susie-Q" with Dale Hawkins.

James played lead guitar for Rick Nelson , from 1957 to 1968 and played a big part in some of his biggest hits. You'll hear him in "I Believe What you Say” “It’s late,” “Lonesome Town” “Poor little Fool, “I Got a Feeling,” “ Hello Mary Lou” and “Travelin Man.” He also made weekly appearances on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which starred Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky Nelson.

In 1969 Elvis made a phone call to James asking him to put together a band for his up-coming Las Vegas engagement.

The main members of the TCB band were, James on lead guitar, John Wilkinson on rhythm guitar, Glen Hardin on piano, Ronnie Tutt on drums, and Jerry Scheff on bass.

James continued as Elvis' lead guitarist on numerous concerts and tours from 1969 until his death in 1977.

Other inductees at that time will be Aerosmith , Paul Simon , Michael Jackson , Solomon Burke, The Flamingos, Queen, Steely Dan the late Ritchie Valens , and Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry's piano man)

Some of the other greats James has played with are: Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison Jerry Lee Lewis, John Denver, Johnny Cash, George Harrison, Rosanne Cash, Henry Mancini, The Byrds, The Every Brothers, Tina Turner, Elvis Costello, Andy Williams, Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstat, Hank Williams, Jr., Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Mathis, The Mamas and the Papas, The Mills Brothers, Herb Alpert, and many others.

James can be seen on "Elvis on tour," as well as "Elvis That's the Way it is", both the 1972 version and the new "Special Edition."

You can also hear his magnificent styling on numerous CDs including, "Elvis recorded live at Madison Square Garden."

James could recently be seen along side the Imperials, The Sweet Inspirations, Glen Hardin, Jerry Scheff, Ronnie Tutt and members of J.D. Sumners Stamps Quartet on tour with Elvis the Concert.