Toronto-born singer/songwriter/guitarist Jamie James began playing guitar at age 13 and played in Detroit-area bands, most notably Bob Seger's, in the early '70s. After moving to Southern California, James formed the rockabilly revival group the Kingbees in the late '70s. When the group dissolved in the mid-'80s, James began playing with former Stray Cats Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom as well as headlining at Hermosa Beach's Lighthouse venue. James met Harry Dean Stanton after one of his performances in 1990 and they began collaborating shortly after. In 2000, James released his solo album Crossroads and also appeared on that summer's Hootenanny tour, which also included Chris Isaak, Dave Edmunds and the Reverend Horton Heat on the bill.