I'm James Tollison

I’m from Sweetwater, Texas. That town’s so small, the city limits sign is just a sticky note on a cactus.

I grew up listening to Hank Williams so much I thought “Hey Good Lookin’” was the national anthem. I also idolized Royce Porter and David Dickey—two legends from the same town. That’s like being from a place that accidentally produced three Jedi… but we just play country music and eat brisket.

I moved to Nashville when I was young and wrote some songs. Got a contract once with a guy who played for Kitty Wells. I didn’t take it. I figured if I signed it, I’d have to start wearing rhinestones, and I’m allergic to sparkle. Makes me break out in responsibility.

So I disappeared for like 20 years. I was basically a country music ninja—gone, but still humming in the shower.

Now I’m back with an album called ‘Back in the Ring.’

I called it that because getting back into music after 20 years feels like climbing into a boxing ring with Father Time… and he brought brass knuckles made of regret.

I recorded it at Junk Drawer Recordings in Clyde, Texas. That studio’s name is perfect. It’s like they found all the good sounds in a drawer next to some old batteries and a half-eaten Snickers.

Jordan Tyler Haynes produced it and played lead guitar so tasty I wanted to put sauce on it.

Liz Sloan-McGovern’s fiddle is supernatural—like if a ghost learned to play and decided to haunt your heart instead of your house.

McKenna Kasowski sings harmony so pretty I checked if angels had to clock out.

Garrett Bryan on piano is a mad genius; I’m pretty sure he solved string theory between takes.

Curtis Hansen on drums? World’s best. Dude’s got forearms like Popeye if Popeye ate ribs instead of spinach.

I wrote nine songs. One of ‘em is called ‘Too Damn Good.’ That’s not bragging; it’s just a warning. The rest are about love, leaving, lying, and missing people. Basically the four food groups of country music.

If you buy this album here instead of the big platforms, I actually get to eat something that’s not ramen seasoned with hope. So… thanks for that. Seriously. I’d hug you, but I don’t want to spill your beer.

Anyway, I’m James Tollison. I sing, I write, I play a little guitar. I once did ‘Coat of Many Colors’ in Dolly’s key just to mess with people. I’m back in the ring now… and this time I’m not ducking.