C.J. Lewandowski has undertaken an ambitious project. While traveling this year with James King, he will be recording interviews with James with an eye toward assembling them into a book on the bluegrass storyteller.
James has agreed to this venture, and is enthusiastic about seeing his life story chronicled in this way. If you’ve been following Bluegrass Today, you know that King has been quite ill of late, and continues to suffer from lingering liver problems. He is still touring, and means to continue to do so, but chronic affliction does give a man pause to think back on his life.
And so the project begins.
At this stage, Lewandowski has no specific plans for how he will organize all this material once it is collected, but is simply determined to take advantage of this opportunity to take down James’ story. He is also asking the wider bluegrass community to help, by sharing any personal stories they might have of The King.
James has led a hard life, and made his share of mistakes along the way. He knows that not every story that might be remembered will be wholly flattering, but wants to give an honest accounting of his life and times. Of course there are many more tales of James’ kindness and generosity, and the ways that his music has touched people’s hearts.
If you have any stories or photographs from the personal or professional life and experience of James King, C.J. would like to hear from you. He can be contacted through Facebook, by email, or at any James King Band show.
Best of luck to he and James. A detailed autobiography of James King would be a treasure to bluegrass lovers worldwide.
