The McKinley James Interview: The Advice His Dad Gave Him, "Working Class Blues" Album, and Motown, Stax, & Chicago Blues

Opening for ZZ Top throughout multiple dates on their tour to opening up for the Mavericks at The Ryman Auditorium their’s something universal that connects McKinley James‘s music to playing for these two diverse audiences. That universality is blues meets old school rock meets a straight forward songwriting style. His latest album, Working Class Blues, highlights catchy songs with only him and his Dad,(see drummer in below photo) a touring musician, playing live in their recording studio. The sound is so full, that you’ll never notice it.

Listen to McKinley James's music on the AmericanaMusic.com Playlist of Artists You Should Know

Chapters

• 0:15 McKinley James Introduction
• 0:34 Growing Up in Webster, New York
• 2:21 McKinley James's Playlist
• 3:14 Jason Smay, Dad's Influence
• 4:31 The Stax Museum and Beale Street in Memphis
• 5:46 Love for Guitar Came First
• 6:19 Dad Pushing to Develop Vocals
• 9:06 Nashville and Stepping Up Songwriting Chops
• 11:20 Songwriting Approach
• 12:57 Creativity and the Thomas Edison Story
• 15:00 Recording the New Album, Working Class Blues
• 19:12 Studio Work at Easy Eye Sound with Dan Auerbach
• 20:00 Sun Studios in Memphis
• 21:54 McKinley James Outro
• 22:11 Clip to Next Week's Interview with Matt Joe Gow