Reading the list of songs written by Brett James is like a Who is Who of the country music business. While James is massive as a songwriter in the genre, his album appearances with own songs are rather rare. On 27th March 2020, he released the EP I am Now, which is the first own publication since 2003. Interesting stuff for a review, definitely.
Brett James – About The Artist
Brett James Cornelius was born on 5th June 1958 in Columbia, Missouri. Apart from being an artist, he is also a songwriter and producer. He has a Bachelor of Science of Baylor University (Waco, Texas), where he was part of a Fraternity. In the mid 1990’s, he had a record deal at Career Records. Thus, his so-far only album is a self-titled one released in 1995. This album also had three lower US Country Charts entries in the Singles charts. Thereby, the debut Female Bonding was the highest ranked one and made it up to the 60th spot. In 2002 and 2003, he released two more singles, of which Chasin’ Amy made it 34th in the country singles charts.
At that time, he was already very successful as a songwriter. Some examples are Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood or When the Sun Goes down by Kenny Chesney. However, you also find non-country recordings in his writings, for example Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore (Bon Jovi) or No Place by the Backstreet Boys. His social media states that Brett James so far wrote 24 #1 songs.
Brett James – I am Now – Track by Track
The EP contains five songs and lasts 18 minutes
1. I Am Now
The title track of the EP is a very melodic song, though James’ rough voice is giving a nice contrast to it. Lovely songwriting (as expected). After I listened to this song, I decided to introduce you to the whole EP.
2. Wait
Wait does not feel like country music at all. It is rather a Black Music track – a touch of soul and blues. James’ voice fits perfectly to it. Wow – the female background voices are a great addition, by the way.
3. Still On My Mind
Still On My Mind has a lot of country music touch again (and a got shot of rock music as well). It is another outstanding production – and likely my favorite album on the EP, just because I love the sound of the song most.
4. Lonely Ain’t So Lonely
After three rather powerful and intense tracks, Lovely Ain’t So Lonely is a gentle ballad. Close your eyes and enjoy. This voice is just amazing – and the songs are not worse at all.
5. True Believer
While James decided to have True Believer as a single taken from the EP, it is maybe my least favorite song – which in this compilation still means that it is really good. A wide range of background instruments give the right atmosphere to this great voice, this great storytelling.
Brett James – I am Now – Spotify
Here is the Spotify widget to the EP:
Brett James – I am Now – My View
Five songs, with a touch of blues, country, rock, great songs and an impressive voice – I am Now got all that in 18 minutes. It is an EP masterpiece, I just cannot find negative points about the EP and the five tracks. An absolute recommendation – Top Pick!
Postings about Nashville
Here are all reviews and more about and around Music City:

Let’s Praise Modern German Country Music – My Artist Overview

Country Music Picks (New Songs) January 2025

Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 31st January 2025)

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2024

Neal Morse & The Resonance – No Hill For A Climber

Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken

Justin Webb & The Noise – Stupid Young

Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 20th September 2024)

Country Music Picks (New Songs) August 2024

Country Music Picks (New Songs) July 2024

NHL Schedule 2024-25 – My Suggested Trips

The Mavericks – Moon & Stars

Restless Road, Redferrin & Carter Faith (6th March 2024, Frankfurt)

The Shindellas – Shindo

The Steel Woods – On Your Time

Lane Motor Museum (Nashville)

Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum Nashville

Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 28 April 2023)

Flying Contour Airlines Embraer E135

GEODIS Park Stadium Tour (Nashville)

Kane Brown (27th January 2023, Cologne)

Flyctory.com Best Ones 2022

RCA Studio B Tour Nashville

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (Nashville)

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Nashville)

Madame Tussauds Nashville

Nashville Mural Art in the Broadway District (Pictured Story)

Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont (Nashville)

Glen Campbell Museum

Car Rental Review – Alamo Nashville Airport (BNA) – Toyota Camry

Red Roof Plus+ Nashville Airport

Hampton Inn & Suites Lebanon (TN)

Riding the WeGo Star – Nashville’s only Mass Transit

Willie Nelson and Friends Museum Nashville

Car Rental Review – Avis Nashville Airport (BNA) – GMC Acadia

Tennessee State Capitol (Nashville)

Ryman Auditorium Self-Guided Tour

Comfort Inn Nashville – Opryland Area

Patsy Cline Museum (Nashville)

Johnny Cash Museum (Nashville)

The VIP Circle Room Experience at the Grand Ole Opry

A Nashville Predators Match at the Bridgestone Arena

Cooter’s Place Nashville

Tennessee Judiciary Museum Nashville

Hilton Nashville Downtown

Grand Ole Opry Show (18th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 10/11, 19th/20th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 9, 18th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 7, 16th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 6, 15th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 5, 14th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Preview)

Goodbye June – See Where The Night Goes

Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 21 Jan 2022)

Conner Smith – Didn’t Go Too Far EP

Mitchell Tenpenny – Midtown Diaries EP

Chris Young – Famous Friends

Joe Bonamassa – Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman

The Steel Woods – All Of Your Stones

Miley Cyrus – Plastic Hearts

Seven Things I look forward to do in the United States again

The Cadillac Three – Tabasco and Sweet Tea

The Country Music Week turns Digital

Tucker Beathard – King

Nashville, Let the Girls Play – Some Thoughts on Women Country Music

Olivia Lane – “Living Instead” Podcast about Artists’ Life and More

Upchurch – Everlasting Country

The Cadillac Three – Country Fuzz

CMA Fest 2019 – My Meet & Greets

Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Airport

Visiting CMA Fest 2019

My Favorite CMA Fest Songs 2019

Christina Taylor & Carolyn Miller – Two Upcoming Country Artists

CMA Fest 2019 – Fan Events with Cassadee Pope and Jana Kramer

Kenny Foster & Friends at the Listening Room (Nashville, 6th June 2019)

A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Day 6 – 5th June 2019)

A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Trip Report Preview)
Postings about Concerts
All postings about concerts I visited:

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Splitter and Reprise

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Day 3 (09.03.2025) – Evening Session

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Day 3 (09.03.2025) – Day Sessions

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Day 2 (08.03.2025) – Evening Session

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Day 2 (08.03.2025) – Day Sessions

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Day 1 (07.03.2025) – Evening Session

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Day 1 (07.03.2025) – Day Sessions

C2C Country To Country Berlin 2025 – Opening Event (6th March 2025) – The Bluebird Cafe

Nathan Evans (5th March 2025, Berlin)

Drake Milligan (25th February 2025, Cologne)

My Country To Country Berlin 2025 Preview

Carly Pearce (17th February 2025, Cologne)

Jenn Bostic (16th February 2025, London)

Warren Zeiders (3rd February 2025, Cologne)

BAP (13th December 2024, Cologne)

Kameron Marlowe (10th December 2024, Cologne)

The Kolors (30th November 2024, Mons / Belgium, Pict. Story)

Laura Evans (20th November 2024, Hagen)

Koe Wetzel (7th November 2024, Cologne)

Stephen Wilson Jr. (4th November 2024, Cologne)

Blackberry Smoke (29th September 2024, Cologne)

Visions of Atlantis (28th September 2024, Essen)

Percival (Song of My Life Show, Erftstadt, 12th September 2024)

Sound of Nashville Open Air 2024 (25th August 2024, Day 2, Cologne)

Sound of Nashville Open Air 2024 (23rd August 2024, Day 1, Cologne)

Jessica Lynn (Song of My Life Show, Erftstadt, 12th August 2024)

Giovanni Zarrella (6th August 2024, Cologne)

Andreas Dorau (25th May 2024, Essen)

Sasha (24th May 2024, Düsseldorf)

49 Winchester (21st May 2024, Cologne)

Kacey Musgraves (5th May 2024, Cologne)

Charles Esten (3rd May 2024, Hamburg)

Carrie Welling & Kasey Williams (2nd May 2024, Hengelo)

Darius Rucker (19th April 2024, Cologne)

Restless Road, Redferrin & Carter Faith (6th March 2024, Frankfurt)

Alexandra Kay, Hannah Ellis, Lakeview (5th March 2024, Cologne)

Jenn Bostic (20th February 2024, London)

Alex Diehl (2nd February 2024, Cologne)

Eric Paslay (13th December 2023, Cologne)

Gregor McEwan (6th December 2023, Cologne)

Loi (19th October 2023, Cologne)

Nacht der Gitarren (14th October 2023, Reutlingen)

Kelvin Jones (8th October 2023, Frankfurt)

Ron Pope (23rd September 2023, Cologne)

Home Free (20th September 2023, Hamburg)

Randall King (15th September 2023, Cologne)

Heart To Heart Event (29th August 2023, Düsseldorf)

Ben Zucker (28th July 2023, Monheim)

Seepark Biker Days Pfullendorf 2023 – Day 3 Concerts (2nd July)

Seepark Biker Days Pfullendorf 2023 – Day 2 Concerts (1st July)

Seepark Biker Days Pfullendorf 2023 – Day 1 Concerts (30th June)

Seepark Biker Days Pfullendorf 2023 – A Preview

Rock of Ages UK Tour – A Personal Farewell and Thanks

Rock of Ages (9th June 2023, Solingen)

The Deslondes (6th June 2023, Cologne)

Everette & Austin Jenckes (23rd May 2023, Cologne)

Kip Moore (14th May 2023, Cologne)

The Longest Johns (21st April 2023, Cologne)

Rock of Ages Opening Night – Red Carpet Impressions

Rock of Ages (German Tour Opening Night in Munich, 5th April 2023)

Matthias Reim (24th March 2023, Oberhausen)

Weird Al Yankovic tours Europe 2023 – My Reprise

Mitchell Tenpenny & Morgan Evans (3rd March 2023, Hamburg)

Weird Al Yankovic (19th February 2023, Tilburg)

Julian Taylor (15th February 2023, Cologne)

Kane Brown (27th January 2023, Cologne)

Brett Young (19th November 2022, Cologne)

Milky Chance (18th November 2022, Cologne)

Alexander Ludwig (2nd November 2022, Cologne)

Five Weird Al Yankovic Shows in Florida – Some Concert Pictures

Carly Pearce & Sarah Darling (12th September 2022, Hamburg)

Lindsay Ell (with Kyle Daniel & Shy Carter, 23rd August 2022, Cologne)

Gipsy Kings & More Than Words (11th August 2022, Cologne)

Johnossi (12th June 2022, Cologne)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 5, 29.4.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 3, 27.4.2022)

Grand Ole Opry Show (18th March 2022)

The Country Music Week turns Digital

Björn Heuser (28th May 2020, Drive-In Show, Bonn)

The Bourbon Room / Rock of Ages Hollywood

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 3 (08.03.2020) – The Main Stage

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 3 (08.03.2020) – Splitter

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 3 (08.03.2020) – The Side Stages

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 2 (07.03.2020) – The Main Stage

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 2 (07.03.2020) – The Side Stages

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 2 (07.03.2020) – Splitter

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 1 (06.03.2020) – The Main Stage

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 1 (06.03.2020) – The Side Stages

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 1 (06.03.2020) – Splitter

Country 2 Country 2020 in Berlin – A Preview

Olivia Lane (8th February 2020, Hassocks / Brighton)

Brett Eldregde / Lauren Jenkins (29th January 2020, Amsterdam)

Brandy Clark (29th January 2020, Amsterdam)

Brett Eldredge / Lauren Jenkins (24th January 2020, Cologne)

Noah Guthrie (9th December 2019, Cologne)

James Barker Band (20th November 2019, Zurich)

Mrs. Greenbird (Frankfurt, 7th November 2019)

Ben Zucker & Van De Forst (6th November 2019, Cologne)

Willie Jones & Tyler Rich (29th October 2019, Cologne)

Logan Mize (26th October 2019, Cologne)

Scotty McCreery (24th October 2019, Cologne)

Country 2 Country 2020 Lineup – My View

Andy Clark (19th October 2019, Dusseldorf)

Sarah Darling, Kenny Foster, Robert Counts (13th October 2019, Frankfurt)

Rock of Ages (Zons / Germany, 28th Sep 2019)

Lauren Jenkins & Austin Jenckes (16th September 2019, Amsterdam)

British Country Music Festival – Day 3 (15th Sep 2019)

British Country Music Festival – Day 2 (14th Sep 2019)

British Country Music Festival – Day 1 (13th Sep 2019)

Sound of Nashville Press Event & Logan Mize Concert (11th Sep 2019, Cologne)

Jillian Jacqueline & Lauren Jenkins (9th September 2019, Cologne)

Thompson Square (5th September 2019, Cologne)

Eric Paslay (3rd Sep 2019, Aschaffenburg)

Weird Al Yankovic – “Strings Attached”, Indianapolis (29th August 2019)

The British Country Music Festival (Blackpool) – A Preview

Wade Bowen (6th August 2019, Cologne)

Weird Al Yankovic, Strings Attached Tour (Bank of NH Pavilion, Gilford, 18th July 2019)

CMA Fest 2019 – My Meet & Greets

Visiting CMA Fest 2019

Write Like A Girl (London, 13th June 2019)

Christina Taylor & Carolyn Miller – Two Upcoming Country Artists

CMA Fest 2019 – Fan Events with Cassadee Pope and Jana Kramer

Kenny Foster & Friends at the Listening Room (Nashville, 6th June 2019)

Maren Morris & RaeLynn GIRL Tour 2019 in Amsterdam (22nd May 2019)

CMT Next Women of Country, Liverpool (10th May 2019)

My Favorite Country 2 Country Songs 2019

Country 2 Country in London 2019

“Sound of Nashville” in Cologne (6th March 2019)

Country 2 Country 2019 in Berlin

Danielle Hope at “The Crazy Coqs” (London, 17th Feb 2019)

Rock of Ages – My favourite Musical

Catherine McGrath at Arts Club Loft Liverpool

LINA @ Kunst!Rasen Bonn

Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 4)

Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 3)

Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 2)

My favourite Country 2 Country 2018 songs

A Day at the Country 2 Country 2018