- Billy James
Billy James is a publicist and talent scout; best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s discovering and developing musical talent for record companies such as Columbia,
Electra , andRCA Records .As a young publicist for Columbia, James became
Bob Dylan 's emissary at the label and was reportedly one of the only "suits" Dylan trusted; he conducted for CBS the earliest available taped interview with Dylan, of which a fragment is available [ [http://www.interferenza.com/bcs/interw/61-fall.htm Fall 1961] ]Sent to the West Coast, James found himself in the middle of the West Coast music scene. He wrote
liner notes forThe Byrds first albums, and brought artists such asThe Doors andJackson Browne to the attention of Elektra Records.James was respected by artists and his peers for his humor, irreverance, intelligence and integrity in an industry that rarely fostered the latter.
By the early 1980s, James left the record business and worked for a time as an advocate for songwriters at the
National Academy of Songwriters and as a Board member for the local chapter ofNARAS . In the 1990s, James worked as publicist in the high-tech world.Semi-retired, he lives with his wife and family in
Redwood City, California .References
External links
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