The James Jennings Project

The James Jennings Project is the creation of James Jennings. That’s me. I call this project’s artist by that name because I often bring outside voices into projects I’m working on. I’ve been writing songs since early 1974, the same year I began playing the guitar, and found my life transformed spiritually.

For me, the message is the thing that I most value, and the song itself is so important when trying to convey any message. There are better singers and players out there but if the song itself isn’t well-constructed with a catchy melody, creative chord progressions, a solid arrangement, and lyrics that make me think, I don’t find myself attracted to the music or the artist. My influences range from Steely Dan, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, David Crosby, Keith Green, and Todd Rundgren to Burt Bacharach, Joni Mitchell, and Carole King. Being a hobbyist, and independent musician I’m not comparing myself to them, but their music has moved me profoundly. Hopefully, some of the things I’ve written will positively remind you of them and some will be uniquely my own style.

I’m a lifelong lover of music and believe that music can move and challenge us. I still remember hearing ‘Moon River‘ playing when I was about 4 years old, and how much it grabbed my young soul. I’ve been playing guitar for 40 years, but I’ve always seen myself as more of a songwriter than a performer. I’ve never played music for any reason other than for my personal enjoyment, to communicate, to try to make a difference in some small way, and perhaps create something beautiful. I believe that for our Creator, creation is intrinsic to His nature, and He desires for us to join Him in the joy of breathing something into existence. In my years of writing and playing music, I’ve created some songs that I’ve been encouraged to share. I’ve put some of them into an album I’ve entitled “Hitchhiking On A Narrow Road.” You can find out more about that album by going to the Album link above.

I’m interested in collaborating with other musicians. If you’re interested. Let me know what you think. I may use this site to post some music that I won’t include on this or other albums.

As a person of faith and someone who is disappointed with what passes for Christianity these days, I want my faith to reflect Jesus’ values as they were presented in the Sermon on the Mount.  In addition to creating music, I have a published book called Salt and Light-Meditations on the Sermon on the Mount. It is a 43-day study of Jesus’ most well-known sermon and I believe it is a tutorial for fixing what is wrong in the Church and the world around us. You can read about it here. I’m currently bundling the album and the book together.

These are the values I believe are transformative:

• Be creative.
• Love your neighbor.
• Ask questions and challenge the answers.

While I’d like to have an impact, I’m not looking for fans. The people who most need fans are people who are homeless, struggling, victims of injustice, or lonely. I’m fortunate that I’m not currently experiencing any of that- though I’ve experienced each at some point in my life. I encourage you to find a way to concretely love your neighbor. If you would like to be on my email list, please send a request to the email address below, and I will inform you about the release dates for my music.