This past September, Rattle held a Singer/Songwriter competition at Magnolia Motor Lounge. From that spectacular evening of talent, James Cook came out victorious as the winner. He beat out Randall King during a lightening round after they both scored the same amount of points. Soon, we were hitting Fort Worth Sound with Bart Rose and the Atonement Entertainment video crew to record his Rattle Studio Series EP. We’ve had many musicians come through and record sessions, but James’ session is quite unique. He’s truly an original Americana artist, with the twisting of genres that blossom into his own invention. He incorporates the country, rock and blues, with a dash of grit and salt that makes the hair stand on end when you hear him play. You can feel it in the writing that he pours over every word in detail until its perfect. Those five acoustic recordings are available on iTunes, on vinyl through our partner Austin Signal & wherever you buy digital music.

James has spurred his contest win into an opportunity to build momentum for his new EP, which the Wichita Falls resident plans on dropping later this year. Lullaby for the Rapture will feature familiar tunes and many new ones centered on the concept of the end of the world. He’s been in and out of the studio putting the finishing touches on this one for awhile. We have already heard Dermanenlion, the stirring last song on his Rattle Studio Series, which James promises to be even more epic than the acoustic version.

When James isn’t hitting the venues to play his original music, he’s spinning many of the artists we feature in this magazine for his day job as Program Director for a Texas Americana station, 94.9 The Outlaw in Wichita Falls. You can listen to him on The Way Too Early show 6-10 am every weekday. DD

James Cook - The End is Nearing