The James Beau Edwards Interview #3

JAMES BEAU EDWARDS was born in Meridian, Mississippi; the birthplace of "The Father of Country Music", Jimmie Rodgers. Playing guitar since the age of 5, James absorbed the musical influences that surrounded him; be it Bluegrass, Country, Blues, or Southern Rock. The musical tapestry of the south was fertile ground in which to grow, and by the age of 9 James was performing for crowds numbering in the thousands at bluegrass festivals across the region. " It was a wonderful way to learn, watching, and even getting to perform with living legends. For a kid like me to get to meet, not to mention play with people like that... are you kidding?!" The inevitable happened, and James grew into a renowned musician, and formidable performer. With the influences of his youth melding together into a unique style, James caught the eye of the band Southfire. Freddie May heard Southfire for the first time at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville and right away noticed that the lead guitar player (James Edwards) was a standout performer and virtuoso. Freddie says he knew if all else failed, James could be a star. Later when I heard him sing and play guitar with his own three piece band, I knew that star status was even more a reality. When James started presenting me with songs he had written, I knew then that he was going to be a triple threat. One day in the studio with Southfire Danny Bailey said to me, Lets never lose touch with James, because hes what makes this band. When the band disbanded, James was the only one in the band that continued to be serious about being a star, so Freddie and Danny decided to work with him as a solo artist. " I think the Southfire experience was a real turning point for me...maybe I should say the point of no return . It helped me realize that not only did I want this, I had to have it", says James. After the group disbanded James began spending every week in Nashville, and every weekend on the road doing as many as 150 shows in a year, all the while w