James Barker Band are an Ontario crafted Country influenced group who formed back in 2013 consisting of James Barker, Taylor Abram, Bobby Martin, and Connor Stephen.
In 2015 they won Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase, and were awarded a release with Universal Music Canada and an all-inclusive trip to Nashville, Tennessee. The fast rising band were was also given the opportunity to open for Country superstar Thomas Rhett on the Boots and Hearts main stage in front of 40,000 of country music’s biggest fans and returned to play the mainstage at the festival in 2016.
The two years for James Barker Band have been super busy. Their first single, “Lawn Chair Lazy,” which was written by band front man, James Barker, along with fellow Canadians Gavin Slate and Travis Wood, became the highest charting debut single ever from a Canadian artist at Country Radio. Meanwhile their video for the song also spent two weeks at #1 on the CMT Canada’s Chevy Top 20 Countdown.
They then released follow-up single, “Just Sayin’,” which went on to receive mass praise from the industry and fans and just like their first, went Top 10 at country radio. The third, single “Chills” released on March 3 also received a #1 from CMT Chevy Top 20 Countdown, but also a #1 at Canadian country radio, making them the first band to have a number one at radio off a debut album.
The boys have also played live shows with the likes of Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Brothers Osborne, Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Dean Brody, High Valley, Tim Hicks and more.
And now they have shared their latest single ‘Keep It Simple’ which showcases a musical direction change for the Country tinged outfit. Speaking about their new music, the band say: “Our ideology is the same as it’s always been, make honest music. We were all country music fans before we got into a band, and I think the one thing that drew us (and draws others) to country is how relatable it is. It’s music about real life for real people”.
Here at CelebMix we are thrilled to bring you the exclusive BTS premiere of the ‘Keep It Simple’ music video:
Make sure you follow James Barker Band on Twitter @jamesbarkerband to keep up to date with all their latest music and tour news!
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