James Watson - Keyboardist & Composer

I am a keyboardist and composer based in the Florida Panhandle, blending soulful expression with modern stage technology. Whether playing local venues or a larger stage, I am dedicated to crafting professional and memorable musical experiences.

For graduation, my parents bought me a Korg Poly 61. My first "real" keyboard. By that time, the first "band" had evaporated, but I kept playing. Having never had formal training, I developed my skills entirely by ear, spending hours mimicking the songs I heard on the radio—Night Ranger’s 'Sister Christian,' Journey’s 'Open Arms,' and so on. This self-taught foundation forced me to develop a keen ear and a signature style. I had just started high school.

It was an incredible experience that led to us playing regularly at our local church, and eventually, at other churches and related events. Pete and I even wrote a few songs—mostly cheesy, but it was a great experience.

Rooted in the Midwest CCM scene as a self-taught musician, I developed my foundation through years of leading and participating in various musical teams while touring throughout the region. This journey helped me cultivate a signature style that is a deliberate balance of soulful expression and technical precision. From re-imagining traditional hymns for modern congregations in Northern Illinois to my current work in the Florida Panhandle, I remain dedicated to bridging the gap between authentic, raw performance and the cutting-edge technology of the modern stage.

I continued playing in church groups until 1992, when I enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Clovis, New Mexico. I met a few musicians there, but while we played a couple of events, it never really went anywhere. During that time, I worked a second job at a local music store, which kept me connected to the industry.

Fast forward to the 2000s: I played in various church groups, created contemporary arrangements for traditional songs, but my interest eventually waned. By 2014, after two battles with cancer, I stopped playing altogether. I simply didn't see a path forward for music in my life at that time.

When we returned home, I sold my old Yamaha XS7 and bought a Roland EP-50—something practical that looked like a piece of furniture I could just sit down and play. Then, in 2022, my father passed away unexpectedly. I wrote a couple of songs [1, 2] as a way to process that loss, and I began looking for ways to play in a group setting once more.

I eventually sold the Roland and purchased a Nord Stage 4 88-key stage keyboard. I began marketing myself, played in a couple bands that were just starting up, and was eventually invited to audition for a regionally touring tribute band. I never envisioned anything like that happening, but what a ride it’s been: traveling through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, playing everything from casinos and theaters to outdoor festivals.