James Hertless

James grew up in Taylor, TX in a musical family. James learned his way around the music business with the help of his father Rick Hertless. His career began singing harmony vocals for his father when he was only 11. James soon found that he wanted more from music than just singing. His father’s voice stuck in his head “everyone is looking for a singing bass player.” James bought a $60 bass at a pawn shop and never turned back.

One long summer, James locked himself in his bedroom with his bass and a clock radio. The bass licks came out from the tiny speakers and into James’s fingers. Inspired and influenced by a broad range of artists like Waylon Jennings, The Police, Diamond Rio, James Taylor, Shendoah, Primus, Radney Foster, and Victor Wooten. James began to shape his style and sound. “I’m not committed to any one type of music. I want to listen to anything that moves me.”

Without a single lesson, James has been playing bass guitar for over fifteen years with several Austin-based music groups. One night at Cheatham Street Warehouse, Matt Skinner changed James’s life. Matt invited James to join the Dub Miller Band. James entered the Texas Music Scene not knowing what to expect. Lucky for him Dub and Skinner gave him a crash course.

James has since played with his one of his heroes Drew Womack. He has supported acts such as Kevin Fowler, Ricky Calmbach, and Gary P. Nunn. James lent his vocals to albums by Ryan Turner, Jeremy Crady, and Drew Womack. He looks up his friends and musicians in this scene who share his view that music should mean more than a paycheck. “It’s hard to find music that has integrity and heart. Too many artists just play music that is easy to sell. That’s not art. They might as well be selling bumper stickers.”

James is honored to be playing Brandon’s music. “This is how music is supposed to make you feel.”

James currently lives in San Antonio with his wife Stacey.