Rising Stars: Meet James Tristan Redding

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Tristan Redding.

Hi James, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hmm, a brief walk through my story. Okay. I was eleven years old and had practically nothing: no money, skills, and no hope.

I won’t get into the nitty-gritty right here and now, but anyone reading this is welcome to inquire and we can have a longer conversation about the darkest parts.

Anyway, I stumbled upon a guitar in someone’s attic when I probably should not even have been up there.

It filled a void in my life, it took the place where a best friend would have stood; it became my best friend. A lot has changed since then, I have a few dollars now and a lot of hope. But fundamentally as NSAI famously claims, it all starts with a song.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
A smooth road? Only when I run out of gas. For better or worse when I’ve got the juice to move forward, I have two speeds: broke down or twice the legal limit. That’s my tongue-in-cheek way of owning my own responsibility, of admitting that I tend to make my own trouble.

I’ve actually been surprised to find how much merit and talent do really drive the music industry, I have yet to hear someone on the radio or see someone on a big stage who didn’t deserve to be there. So that’s a growth area for me, how to stop making it happen and let it happen.

We can dive further into the specific struggles later, but my story mirrors that of any artist from the Gulch to the gutter: love and loss, aspirations and addictions, regret and redemption.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First and foremost I’m a songwriter. I created a group called Song A Week back in October of 2015, which now boasts over 500 members around the world in 22 countries and 30 U.S. states.

I’m also a singer and multi-instrumentalist and have enjoyed being a studio musician on drums, bass, guitar, keys, and backing vocals on a number of other people’s albums. I’ve toured the continental U.S.A. and several other countries both as a solo act and with a band called Union Pulse, and written close to 1,000 songs.

I recently began creating some community-focused initiatives, like a 24-hour songwriting marathon and a live music circle underneath a highway overpass, and that has been a fascinating adventure. I also record audiobooks both as a hobby and to get myself more engaged in reading.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Ooh, an influences-and-tools question.

Yes. I listen regularly to the Tim Ferriss podcast and enjoy his books as well. My friend, Julia Tindall Bloom (of the fabulous duo Cabin Of Love, with her amazing husband Nathan) has a blog that is always thought-provoking.

And, not to stray too far from the original intent of the question, the Nashville Rescue Mission, the Room In The Inn, and a website called Don’t Call The Police have been amazing resources for friends and fellow musicians who can create amazing things with a little help.

Pricing:

• $0 – cost to listen to my music, all available at my website for free listening.
• $25 – most merch from The Nashville 24 online store

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jamestristanredding.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/songdoer
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/songdoer
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/songdoer
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/songdoer

Image Credits
Randy Reed and Rebekah Burling