Doc James
Doc knew early on in life that he was destined for the entertainment field. By age 5, he was able to hear all harmony parts, singing solos in church, the choir, and his father's group, and began learning vocal techniques from his father. As he grew, Doc was always a first choice in any vocal or musical production in middle and high school. In addition, he played trumpet from ten years of age and progressed into national levels with the Drum & Bugle Corps. Not surprisingly, he received his first professional job offer by the age of 20. Doc gives complete credit to his father and mother for being the strongest influences that gave him the courage to succeed in show business.
After graduating high school, Doc moved to Florida to attend college for music and voice. After a year, he returned to his hometown of Springfield, Ohio. He began an incredibly varied career, becoming a nationally certified personal trainer while continuing his musical performances, which involved an extensive road schedule averaging 140+ performance dates per year. He also found himself under the renowned tutoring of Dr. Steven Hurst of Nashville, TN, and, while in Europe, Dr. Sam Cook of Penn State University and the Wiesbaden (Germany) Opera Company.
Entertaining for Doc has literally spanned the world, traveling in 42 of the 50 states and performing in major cities like Chicago, Miami, LA, and now Las Vegas. Additionally, he has performed in 18 foreign countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, in cities like Venice, Frankfurt, Paris, Cairo, and Izmir. He has been involved in a number of groups, and has worked with or been associated with artists such as Bob Hope, Dolly Parton, Barry White, Boyz II Men, Tops In Blue, GRP recording artist "Acoustic Alchemy," Beatlemania, and the incomparable Ramona Gainer-Kausch (the niece of Gloria Gainer) among others. These performances have taken him through almost 2,000 bookings over the past 20 years, reaching 330,000 people live and millions by radio and television.
Things took a different direction in 2004 for Doc, as he slowed down to minimal travel, dedicating more time to home and family. 2006 found Doc climbing back into the solo realms after spending years in extremely rewarding partnerships and groups. Since getting to Las Vegas, Doc has formed a production company, Damodoc Productions LLC, with his business partner Damorah Alexander. He now travels nationally as a soloist and regionally with Omaha’s The Doc James Band featuring Honey.
Musical influences and inspirations include Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Rat Pack (Frank, Dean, & Sammy primarily), Tony Bennett, Maynard Ferguson, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, the Marsalis Family, Eric Clapton, B. B. King, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jon Cleary, Stevie Wonder, and Sting. Doc has brought those influences into his blues, jazz, and funk grooves and mixes, and is now enjoying his work re-exploring the rock venue as well. His extraordinary talents are enhanced even more by his ability to emcee, communicate, and interact with his audiences.
As Doc James moves forward in 2009, his music promises to be more exciting than it has ever been, as his crowd following and fan base would attest. Upcoming years will find him hard at work and on the road even more. If you get a chance to get out and hear him in any of his productions, his long sustained tones and natural stage presence will have you realizing why people ask for a return from Doc James.
