Twenty-four-year-old singer-songwriter Preston James is releasing his debut EP, White Trash from Way Back, Friday, Nov. 1 on all platforms . With his long hair, blonde scruff and dark eyes, the Cheatham County (Tenn.) native certainly looks the part, but it’s his soulful vocals and the storytelling quality of his lyrics that will convince you to put these tracks on your country/southern rock playlist.
James, writer or co-writer on all but one track on White Trash—the high-octane, instrument-laden “Heartbreak’s on You” (Go on, break my heart; tear it up like a letter/Put the pieces on the burn pile; it’ll hurt, but I’ll feel better) featuring the song’s writers, Jaren Johnston and John Osborne—has previewed three singles off the EP for fans. In addition to “Heartbreak,” he has released “Fences” (written with Steve Moakler and EP producer Logan Wall), an autobiographical love letter detailing James’s relationship with his fiancée and fellow Season 11 Voice alum Charity Bowden, and his rowdy debut single, “Deal with the Devil,” written with Jason Saenz and Alex Kline.
“Working with Preston over the course of this EP has been such a creative palate cleanser,” Wall says. “Preston is a massive talent on the rise, and I feel lucky to have been involved from the ground floor. As a producer, my role is always to make sure the artist’s voice is heard and their story is told truthfully.”
New cuts include the bittersweet, acoustic guitar–driven “Take Me Back” (written by James, Wall and Joybeth Taylor) and the solo-written title cut (I’ve never known nothing but them katydids buzzing some sad ol’ mountain sound/And the smell of that rock burning holes through my poor hometown…It’s where I’ll die when I’m old and feeble/I’m getting by fine with my white lightning still/Cause I’m White Trash from Way Back in these Tennessee hills). Every song showcases James’s passion for storytelling as he moves effortlessly from small-town love song to hillbilly headbanger, narrating the goings-on of rural life.
“White Trash from Way Back sums up me,” James says, “where I’m from and the music I love, in about 18 minutes. I hope y’all have as much fun listening as we did making it!”
After being offered his first publishing deal at 18, James is carving out his place on the Row with this EP, signing with publishers King Pen Music and Warner Chappell Music and inking a booking deal with the Neal Agency, whose artist roster includes hitmakers Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Chase Rice and Riley Green, among others.
Brian Carothers and Evan Kantor, both agents with the Neal Agency, are firmly in James’s corner. “Preston is sitting on an unbelievable debut EP,” Carothers says. “I’ll never forget the day he played it for everyone here. The excitement in the room was special, and we’re all thrilled to be working with him.” Adds Kantor, “From the moment we heard the music, we were all sold on Preston’s talent. What’s been even more exciting is seeing how incredible his live show is. We are honored to be a part of bringing that to the masses.”
Clay Bradley, VP of Creative at BMI, the performance rights agency who represents James, is a longtime supporter. “I love Preston James. He is a natural born guitar picker [James plays electric and acoustic guitar on the EP], songwriter and a rising star in the industry who shows a maturity and insight far beyond his years.”
Kelly King, president of King Pen Music, agrees, saying, “As soon as I met Preston, I knew there was something special about him. His old soul way intrigued me, and his work ethic blew me away right off the bat. Once I saw him play live, I knew he was going to introduce a new edge to country music. I am so excited to see how country music embraces him the way he has embraced it all his life.” Producer Wall adds, “When it comes to White Trash from Way Back, Preston’s voice is loud and clear, and his story is undeniable.”
