Vincent James
Vincent James has been circulating in the musical world for over 3 decades. He first began as a songwriting penning “Rock & Roll and Wrestling Connection” in the mid-80s that was made into a music video by PRISM Television staring Cyndi Lauper, Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper. James later began managing local bands helping to book and promote hundreds of live shows. Eventually James elected to go the artist route and released several recordings including two national singles. Highlights included the humorous “Y2K” song that landed a local FOX news spot, a Billboard review and an appearance on the nationally syndicated Jenny Jones Show. A few years later, James single “One More Night” aired on over 80 radio stations nationwide, landed a spot on the FMQB chart and launched his transition to Mr. Love Songs. Over the next decade James wrote dozens of custom love songs for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions through his LoveSongs.com website.
Change came knocking in 2014, when James realized he wasn’t serving his true purpose. After listening to a teleseminar entitled “How Everyone Has a Book Inside Them”, James decided to publish a book along featuring inspirational music stories about two music changed people’s lives. Co-authored with his wife Joann, “88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life” was first published in June 2015 and features stories and anecdotes from both regular and famous musicians. Story contributors include Rick Wakeman (YES), Vanessa Carlton, Simon Kirke (Bad Company/FREE), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Rob Hyman & Eric Bazilian (The Hooters) along with hit songwriters Seidah Garrett (Michael Jackson), Billy Steinberg (Madonna) and Bobby Hart (The Monkees). The sequel to “88+ Ways Music” was published on New Years Eve 2020 and is entitled “88 MORE Ways Music Can Change Your Life”. 80% of all “88 Ways Music” proceed from both books are donated to music education and service non-profits.
While publishing and promoting “88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life”, James began to discover his true passion for music education. Along with his wife, they formed the Keep Music Alive organization and launched the 1st Annual Teach Music Week in March 2015 and the first Annual Kids Music Day in October 2016. Keep Music Alive officially became a non-profit in October 2017 and now partners with over 1,000 music schools, music stores and other organizations to offer free lessons to new students and special events that benefit and celebrate kids playing music. These events range from student performances, instrument petting zoos, drum & ukulele circles, instrument donation drives and more. Over a dozen celebrities have signed on as Kids Music Day Ambassadors lending their name and image for the cause including Julie Andrews, Jack Black, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Loggins, Michael Feinstein, Vanessa Williams, Pat Benatar and more. Television and Broadway star Matthew Morrison signed on as the Official Spokesperson for the milestone 5th Annual Kids Music Day in October 2020, leading to Kids Music Day being featured on Entertainment Tonight, People TV and Good Day New York.
