Dillon James Releases Debut EP ‘River Black’

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Singer-songwriter Dillon James has released his debut EP, River Black, via UMG Nashville/Buena Vista Recordings/19 Recordings

The five autobiographical songs take listeners through a hard-hitting account of the California-born artist’s journey from reckless to revival. Inspiration for the EP’s title track struck James in the form of a dream, while songs like “Call Me Up” and “My Shadow” incorporate true-to-life detail from his past. The previously-released “Walking Man” rounds out the track list on a fiery-yet-faithful note.

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Born and raised in Bakersfield, James picked up a guitar for the first time at the age of 10. First drawn to classic rock, his tastes diversified to the likes of City And Colour, Glen Campbell, Jeff Buckley, George Strait and Bob Dylan by the time he began writing his own music as a teen. Inspired by the local sounds of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, James developed the vocals and powerful storytelling that would define his sound.

After winning several singer-songwriter competitions and a brief stint working as an actor in Los Angeles, he entered a turbulent period of substance abuse and homelessness. During this painful time, he realized that if he could heal himself and achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a singer-songwriter, he could become a living testament to others as well, and later moved to Nashville to write and record his music.

“This EP represents how far I’ve come, and my new life after my past,” shares Dillon. “There have been ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and these songs tell those stories. I’m grateful that, through my music, I can share my testimony with anyone who might relate and need to hear that they aren’t alone.”

River Black Track List:
1. “River Black” (Jason Gantt, Dillon James, Dan Alley)*
2. “Had Enough” (Luke Preston, Ben Goldsmith, Tucker Beathard)#
3. “Call Me Up” (Dillon James, Joe Clemmons, Jonathan Smith)^
4. “My Shadow” (Dillon James, Marty James, Matthew Joseph Geroux, Frank Romano)^
5. “Walking Man” (Paul Sikes, Paul Wrock, Dillon James)$

* = produced by Paul DiGiovanni
# = produced by Matt Geroux
^ = produced by Paul Sikes
$ = produced by Paul DiGiovanni and Paul Sikes

Lorie Hollabaugh
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