Born in Kansas and raised in Oak Cliff, Texas, Bybee D. James' love for the arts began at an early age. Her first performance on stage before an audience was at the age of three. Her love for ballet was superceded only by her love for music, poetry, and lyrics when she started playing the keyboards at age ten.
Of course she grew up singing with the music that filled her home, and it was quite a variety. Maternal influences were Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fats Domino. Paternal were more of the likes of Merle Haggard, Mac Wiseman, and southern gospel. This explains her wide range of music appreciation. She may have a Wagner CD, Tony Rice, The Allman Brothers, Buck Owens, Joan Baez, and Doyle Bramhall II in her car at all the same time!
Over the years of her early life, she was a wedding/funeral/benefit/party player and singer. Her talent was voluntarily placed on the back burner to raise two sons (who are both musicians) and begin a career in nursing.
She has gleaned from her days and nights working with joy and sorrow. These people and her experiences can be heard in her heartfelt material. Over the last 15 years she has primarily performed in a supporting role, playing guitar and keyboards, and singing backup for various Texas artists.
So now, Bybee D. James has found her own identity and sound on her debut CD entitled "Cross That Line". Good things happen to those who wait.
Cross That Line was produced by Guthrie Kennard, and co-produced Pat Manski and Bybee D. James. It was recorded at The Zone Recording Studio in Dripping Springs, Texas.
The following musicians contributed to "Cross That Line."
Texas Tornado Guthrie Kennard was also a co-writer, while lending his acoustic and bass guitar talents to several tracks.
After engineering Ray Wylie Hubbard's Snake Farm, Pat Manske was kind enough to lend his engineering and producing talent to this project. He also played drums and percussion.
Casey James played guitar, mandolin, and sang harmony on most of the tracks. He has more time playing with Bybee D., since he is her son.
Beth Garner, Armadillo Music recording artist, played on several of the songs. She is currently touring with The Red Devil's. Her newest CD is Addictions.
Kris Brown played dobro on the title cut, as well as Honey, Honey. He is currently touring with the Neville Brothers.
Jack Gaskin, better known in Austin as "Action Jackson," added his professional fiddle playing as well as his humorous personality.
David Webb, reknowned keyboardist out of Florida, played Hammond on Gabriel's Wheels and That's a Fact.
