Nashville’s own Queen of the Blues, Marion Agness James, was born October 8, 1934. Resembling the early years of most musicians, James life-long journey with music was embedded in the church. With a church pianist and vocal teacher for a mother, a sister that sang with the legendary Clara Ward Singers, and professional musicians for cousins, James was destined to achieve musical greatness. She studied her craft by watching blues artists at vaudeville shows, visiting local clubs, and listening to her mother’s collection of 78s, remember those!
Marion came up through the ranks inside the legendary Jefferson Street music clubs alongside other future legends like Little Richard and B.B. King. People have long forgotten that Jefferson Street is arguably the first “Music Row”. With music flooding Jefferson Street in the early 60s, James made a name for herself as “House Rockin James” with her colorful guise, soulfully expressive voice, and by often rocking a tiara to her live shows.
Through the course of her sixty year career span, James recorded a top-ten hit self-penned song, “That’s My Man” for Nashville’s renowned Excello Records in 1966. “That’s My Man” featured her own husband, trumpeter/arranger Jimmy Stuart, and well-known blues guitarist Johnny Jones, also known as Bobby Blue Bland. James even heralded a guitarist legend in his own right, Jimi Hendrix, as a member of her band in the early years of his professional music career. American bassist Billy Cox also was a part of her line-up. She performed well into the mid-1980s when she took a much needed break from the road. However, her performances didn’t stop.
In the early 90s, Marion met guitarist Casey Lutton and merged with his group, The Hypnotics. This rhythmic ensemble recorded an album for the Italian label, Appaloosa Records. Marion has shared the stage with Rufus Thomas, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Chick Willis, and performed to sold-out audiences in Europe and the Southeastern United States.
In 2003, James released Essence on Soulfood Records, featuring the likes of Beegie Adair, Reese Wynans, Jack Pearson (The Allman Brothers), the bassist Bob Babbitt, and drummer Chucki Burke. James’ 2012 album, Northern Soul, was released on Eller Soul Records, and it soared to number 10 on the Living Blues chart. In 2013, she recorded “Back in the Day” a song reminiscent of Jefferson Street & the blues clubs where she got her start at Jefferson Street Sound recording studios.
Working to add blues to the narrative of the Music City scene, James fought for opportunities to honor and preserve Jefferson Street’s musical legacy and helped retired musicians in need, by founding the Marion James Aid Society. She led a campaign to erect two statues on Jefferson Street of Jimi Hendrix and Little Richard leading to her career being highlighted in a “Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945-1970” exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Although her recent death on December 31, 2015 pierced the hearts of many in the Music City her voice will forever sign radio airways and influence color and genre barriers as “The Blues Queen”.
