Billy James
Encyclopedia
Billy James is a publicist and talent scout; best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s discovering and developing musical talent for record companies such as Columbia
, Elektra
, and RCA Records
.
As a young publicist for Columbia, James became Bob Dylan
's emissary at the label and was reportedly one of the only "suits" Dylan trusted; he conducted for CBS the earliest available taped interview with Dylan, of which a fragment is available
Sent to the West Coast, James found himself in the middle of the West Coast music scene. He wrote liner notes
for The Byrds
' first album, Mr. Tambourine Man
, and brought artists such as The Doors
and Jackson Browne
to the attention of Elektra Records. In 1966, he managed the folk singer Penny Nichols
, who was hired by The Sandpipers, but sang with them on just one concert at San Diego.
James was respected by artists and his peers for his humor, irreverance, intelligence and integrity in an industry that rarely fostered the latter.
By the early 1980s, James left the record business and worked for a time as an advocate for songwriters at the National Academy of Songwriters
and as a Board member for the local chapter of NARAS. In the 1990s, James worked as publicist in the high-tech world.
Semi-retired, he lives with his wife and family in Redwood City, California
.
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, Elektra
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
, and RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
As a young publicist for Columbia, James became Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's emissary at the label and was reportedly one of the only "suits" Dylan trusted; he conducted for CBS the earliest available taped interview with Dylan, of which a fragment is available
Sent to the West Coast, James found himself in the middle of the West Coast music scene. He wrote liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
for The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
' first album, Mr. Tambourine Man
Mr. Tambourine Man (album)
Mr. Tambourine Man is the debut album by the American folk rock band The Byrds and was released in June 1965 on Columbia Records . The album, along with the single of the same name, established the band as an internationally successful rock act and was also influential in originating the musical...
, and brought artists such as The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
and Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
to the attention of Elektra Records. In 1966, he managed the folk singer Penny Nichols
Penny Nichols
Penny Nichols is an American folk musician and songwriter. She began her career in the Southern California folk circuit in Orange County, California in 1964, singing in a bluegrass band with Alice, Bill & John McEuen...
, who was hired by The Sandpipers, but sang with them on just one concert at San Diego.
James was respected by artists and his peers for his humor, irreverance, intelligence and integrity in an industry that rarely fostered the latter.
By the early 1980s, James left the record business and worked for a time as an advocate for songwriters at the National Academy of Songwriters
National Academy of Songwriters
The National Academy of Songwriters, originally "Songwriters Resources and Services" was a music industry association which provided a support network for songwriters, and gave out awards in various categories. It was founded by Helen King, who was working as a secretarial/answering service for the...
and as a Board member for the local chapter of NARAS. In the 1990s, James worked as publicist in the high-tech world.
Semi-retired, he lives with his wife and family in Redwood City, California
Redwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
.