James & Angela McKinney Band

New CD!  "A Clear View" 
is out now and is getting rave reviews!
Click on the STORE to read more.

Anyone who has seen James and Angela perform
know, when the show is over, that they have just
witnessed a performance between two musicians
who time has polished and molded to form a
special magic that was meant to be, and that will
not be forgotten!

      The collaboration first started when the two met
in Texas after James had moved from Nashville,
Tennessee five years prior, and started a band in
Dallas, which gained great recognition in the
bluegrass area.  Angela, a native Texan, was a
recognized singer within the Texas scene, and taught
guitar and fiddle at a small town music store.
    It was at a jam held at the music store that James and 
Angela first met. The two hit it off immediately.  
Ten months later they married and moved to Nashville to start their lives together and to
pursue their dream of playing music together.  For years they played under the name of James’ former
band, Danger In The Air, but later decided upon the name “James & Angela McKinney Band”
because, with time, the sounds that were constantly there, no matter who else played with them, were
the sounds of James and Angela. The sincere, loving personalities of these two along with their
undeniable musical talents are something you are sure to embrace. 

James McKinney is without a doubt no stranger in the
Acoustic/Bluegrass world.  Born and raised in the mountains of
Ft.Payne, Alabama, James spent his formative years surrounded by the
musical sounds of his great-grandmother and great-grandfather, his
grandmother, as well as his mother who all played banjo.  So it comes
as no surprise that James would fall for the same instrument that
embodied his heritage and made his spirit soar.

  James became very accomplished at the banjo at a young age, and
by the time he was fifteen had won the South U.S. Banjo
Championship. From that point on he continued to win countless
contests, and was the leader of a young bluegrass group for many
years.

     At age nineteen James moved to Nashville to play music full-time
as the banjo player and musical arranger of Opryland’s “Bluegrass
Show” as well as becoming a studio musician.

     Also at age 19, James first played on the Grand Ole Opry, and has played many times since.  In 1980,
James started touring with long-time friend Vassar Clements and can still be found appearing with him on
occasions.  In 1982 he won the National Banjo Championship in Winfield, Kansas, and since then he has
been asked to be one of the judges for the National event many times.  James moved to Dallas, Texas in the
late 80’s and started his former band, Danger In The Air.  In 1990 James moved back to Tennessee along
with Angela to play music full-time together.

     Recognized as the Master of the Five-string Banjo, James is also known as one of the most experienced
lecturers/teachers on the instrument. He has given workshops and Master Classes all over the world. Living
in Nashville gave James opportunities to play and study with some of the best musicians of all time.  James
is quick to give credit to some of his biggest influences and mentors such as his music instructors Lenny
Breau, foremost jazz educator David Baker, and Henry Ferrell (the teacher of Chet Atkins and Jethro Burns),
not to mention the powerful influences of Bill Monroe, Don Reno, Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley and long-time
friends Vassar Clements and John Hartford.

     James’ playing can be heard on everything from commercials, to Porter Wagner shows, to various
artist albums such as Barbara Mandrell, Vassar Clements, Johnny Cash, and his Danger In The Air
albums.  But one of his most highly acclaimed recordings is his instrumental album entitled ”Mind Over
Banjo”.  Most recently, James is excited about the band’s current cd, "A Clear View."

Angela McKinney, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band,
was born and raised in the wide-open lands of Texas where she
resided in the small town of Burleson, right outside of Fort Worth,
for the most part of her life. From the beginning, Angela showed
a great aptitude and love for music, as was evident in her constant
singing and early writings.  She was often chosen for school
programs because of her early vocal abilities, but it was in church
that Angela first started singing.

     She was later awarded with a college scholarship where she
was able to continue developing her musical skills.  At nineteen
she was exposed to Texas-style fiddling, and was so taken by it
she started playing and later competing at “Old-Time Texas Fiddle”
contests on the instrument.  She later started sharing her love for
the music by teaching the guitar and fiddle.  While in Texas she
was often seen playing and singing at the “Old-Time Texas Fiddle” events, as well as performing
with a local band and performing regularly at several Opry’s. Once Angela and James moved to
Tennessee she became the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band “Danger In The Air.   Her
emotionally moving, yet powerful vocals helped the band earn a spot on the T.V. music show “Be A
Star”.

     Since a young child, Angela had always been drawn to the guitar, and later, after listening to great
acoustic players like Tony Rice, Django Reinhardt, Dan Crary and Clarence White, she decided it
would be her instrument of choice.  As time has revealed, not only has Angela been recognized as a
spellbinding singer, but also a highly skilled guitarist.  Undeniably, Angela brings to the band a purity of
voice and a love for music, but Angela is also a very accomplished songwriter who is able to capture a
moment or feeling and sing to your heart.  The band’s current album demonstrates her writing talents
as will her upcoming solo album, which will primarily be her original songs.

Missy Holtman, bassist, has been a very familiar face in
bluegrass circles for years now.   She has been a cornerstone in
the bluegrass world since she first began with her boundless
enthusiasm and mission to promote bluegrass and acoustic
Music.  She has served on the board and been the Vice President
of ABMA for many years.  One place she shares her desire for
others to hear and learn more about bluegrass is where she
teaches elementary school as well as after school private lessons.
 She also often writes articles for the ABMA magazine.  Missy is a
very versatile musician. She writes, she sings and plays several
instruments.  She first started as a child on piano and harmonica,
and as she got older started playing fiddle and guitar and singing.
She later became intrigued with the bass, which she caught onto
very quickly, and was hired by James and Angela without
hesitation.

Sharon Bounds, fiddler, born and raised in
Northport, Alabama, is a third generation fiddle
player with both grandfathers as well as her father
leading the way.  Sharon first started playing at
age 11, and by age 12 she was competing at
contests.  She has since been a multiple winner
of the Mississippi State Fiddle Championship,
the Alabama State Championship, and is a
seven-time top ten winner in the Grand Masters
National Fiddle Contest and was awarded the
Dr. Perry Harris Award for Outstanding Achievement
in the national contest. The respect she has gained
through the years has made her a much sought after fiddle contest judge.  Sharon also teaches
private fiddle lessons for a living as well as teaching her two sons, thus paving the way for the
fourth generation.

For Booking Information e-mail  angelamusic@ardmore.net  

Webmaster:  missyholtman@bellsouth.net