Michael James, an emerging talent in the country music scene and a Massapequa native, made a triumphant return to Long Island this month with a highly anticipated performance at The Warehouse in Amityville.
The venue, located at 203 Broadway, was packed with friends, family, and fans eager to support James and witness his performance. The concert marked a significant moment for the singer, who began his journey in country music after a transformative experience at a Kenny Chesney concert with his father at age 13.
Despite a promising start in football and basketball, multiple concussions led James to pivot towards music. He credits country music with helping him rediscover himself during this challenging period. At 19, he invested in a guitar from savings earned through part-time jobs and taught himself to play using online tutorials.
Determined to follow his passion, James relocated to Nashville over two years ago to pursue his music career. Since then, he has opened for well-known country acts such as LOCASH, Restless Road, and Carolyn Miller. His debut album, “Good News,” released in June 2024, has gained significant attention, with the single “Road I Wanna Ride” surpassing 100,000 hits.
James collaborated with fellow singer-songwriters Scott Loewen and Holdyn Barder on the album, which reflects a shift from party-style country to faith-based music. “We wrote hundreds of songs to find the ten that made it,” James said, noting his favorite tracks include “Good News” and “God Bless My Mama,” the latter co-written with Loewen.
Returning to Long Island was a poignant experience for James, blending nostalgia with his ongoing journey in the country music industry.
