BARN STAGE

SINGER SONGWRITER ROUND

SATURDAY AUGUST 23

11:00 Am 

Pat James, a singer-songwriter from Aurora, ON, crafts an ear-catching blend of Roots-Rock and Americana, combining the storytelling of Bruce Springsteen with the soulful edge of Chris Stapleton. The importance of storytelling in his music is immediately evident. As you listen, you start to hear his other influences—Tom Petty, John Mayer, and Bon Jovi, to name a few.

The Early Years
Pat’s first exposure to music came from his older brother, Jimmy, who played guitar and introduced him to the classics of the ’50s and ’60s. The brothers would often perform together, with Jimmy on guitar and young Pat singing while pretending to play drums on a guitar case. When Pat was 12, Jimmy started teaching him simple chords. Every day, after his brother left for work, Pat would sit and practice obsessively, eventually learning enough to write his first song. From that point on, music became his obsession.

The First Band
By the time Pat was 13, he had been writing songs and playing his acoustic guitar in solitude. Then, a chance encounter set his musical journey in motion. One afternoon, Pat’s brother Tony and a friend, Flavio, brought home a collection of musical equipment—a drum set, bass amp, microphone, and even an electric guitar—left behind by a band that had skipped out on paying rent. Pat’s excitement was immediate, and he boldly asked, “Can I use this stuff or what?” Flavio’s permission was all he needed to get started.

Pat quickly rallied his friends. His buddy Paul Caruso was the first to see the treasure trove, and his immediate suggestion was, “We should start a band!” With Paul on bass and another neighborhood kid, Rich Pulcini, on drums, their band Stone Angel was born. Their first rehearsal was pure chaos—loud, disorganized, and filled with trial and error. Pat vividly recalls the shocks he got from picking up his guitar pick off the concrete floor of the garage. Despite the noise, it was thrilling, and they felt like gods during their impromptu garage shows for neighbors and friends.

Though Stone Angel didn’t last long, the summer of daily rehearsals and small shows left a lasting impression. It marked the beginning of Pat’s lifelong passion for playing and performing music. He often wonders how different his path might have been if that abandoned equipment had never found its way into his garage.

A New Beginning
After high school, Pat’s first official band, LOAF, leaned into the grunge sounds of the ‘90s, influenced by Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam. They later evolved into a pop-punk outfit called Better Off Deaf, performing across Toronto at venues like The 360 and The Kathedral. During this formative time, Pat honed his skills as a songwriter, focusing on storytelling and emotional depth in his lyrics.

By 2001, Better Off Deaf had folded, and Pat stepped away from music. For six years, he played guitar only for himself, writing songs alone in his basement. It wasn’t until 2007 that Pat began to rediscover his confidence, thanks to his best friend Jeff, who introduced him to a group of musicians. Among them were Chris and Rob, two guitar players who inspired Pat to start playing again. At a Victoria Day camping trip that year, Pat found himself at a pivotal moment. Encouraged by his friends, he overcame his nerves and sang Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” around the campfire. The overwhelmingly positive reaction from the crowd reignited his passion for performing.

The Official Start to My Musical Career
In 2009, Pat played his first solo acoustic show at a local pool hall in Aurora. This marked his return to the music scene, and for the next five years, he performed acoustic covers at bars across the region. During this time, he met guitarist Ryan Blake and formed The Road Heavy in 2014, his first original project in over a decade.

The Road Heavy
The Road Heavy was a turning point in Pat’s career. Within months, the band had written and recorded their first EP, Devil’s Grin, and embarked on a tour across Eastern Canada, opening for former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke. They shared stages with iconic acts like The Tea Party, Gob, and Scott Weiland, and by 2017, they were direct support for The Tea Party’s Transmission tour. Though the band disbanded in 2018, this era solidified Pat’s place in the music world and introduced him to drummer Jeff Cox, who would become a key collaborator for years to come.

Flash Forward
By 2023, Pat’s creative spark was reignited. Inspired by a road trip to see Bruce Springsteen—a bucket-list concert for the lifelong fan—Pat decided it was time to launch a new project. Encouraged by friends who believed in his talent and supported by years of experience, Pat James and The Whole Truth was born. The project represents the culmination of Pat’s journey, combining his passion for storytelling with a seasoned, authentic voice honed through decades of highs and lows in the music industry.