By: Kathy Forste, Music Director

For L.A.'s foremost live acoustic musician and KC Cafe Radio Performing Artist James Hurley, change came early in life.  And, it came about in the incredibly short span of 7 1/2 seconds.

Music was already a significant part of Hurley's life.  He was surrounded by it through his parents and siblings, who not only appreciated a multitude of music genres, but played a variety of instruments, including an accordion they attempted to impart on him.

For Hurley, however, the call of the rodeo circuit was louder than the music that surrounded him.  Eventually he quit high school to compete.  That career would soon come to a sudden conclusion in a split 7 1/2 second ride that ended with a broken hip and ensuing medical complications.  It was during his recovery that Hurley discovered his dad's six string guitar.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Hurley has been named by Folkworks magazine one of L.A.'s "Top Ten Live Acoustic Male Singer/Songwriters."  His Jazzy/Blues/Folk/Pop style has been heard up and down the west coast, the southwest and to the Atlantic and back again.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Hurley about those fateful 7 1/2 seconds.  We also talked about our mutual interest and influences in music, the business of music, and James explains why 80% of his concerts are performed through "concerts in your home".  Hurley also talks about some of the stories behind the songs on his latest album, "Tempest in a Teacup"  and provides us with an "inside scoop" on a new album he is currently working on.

Listen to the interview here:

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Music by James Hurley on KC Cafe Radio: