| Artist: | nccomposer |
| Title: | Carolina Sunshine |
| Genres: | Pop / Country / Easy Listening |
About the artist
Thomas James is a songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist who got his first break in the music business in the early 1980s when his band, the Kelly James Band, caught the attention of then-MCA Records Regional Promotions Manager Jay McDaniel. McDaniel had been aware that the South's Marshall Tucker Band was searching for a promising act to jump-start its new Creative Arts label and suggested that the Kelly James Band submit a demo tape for consideration. Ultimately, the Kelly James Band’s demo was enthusiastically selected by producers Doug Gray, George McCorkle and Jerry Eubanks of the Marshall Tucker Band from more than 400 submissions because of the band’s fresh and marketable sound. The Kelly James Band was invited to record its debut album at the Marshall Tucker Band’s Spartanburg, SC studios and when it was released a few months later, several of the project’s cuts received airplay in the Southeast.
Doors opened fast for the Kelly James Band, which began performing for large, enthusiastic crowds, opening shows for the Marshall Tucker Band, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Dr. Hook, Artimus Pyle Band (former drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd), New Riders of the Purple Sage, among others. James was the main songwriter on the project.
The Kelly James Band’s unique sound was highly regarded by Ken Lanza of CBS Records who, in turn, approached industry legend Paul Atkinson for consideration to sign the band with Columbia Records. At the time, MCA Records and Warner Brothers had also expressed interest in the band. Unfortunately, tumultuous times and personnel changes in the industry never resulted in a deal with a major label, but the Kelly James Band persevered with loyal support from its fans, and continued to build a tremendous following in the Southeast. Sadly, differences in musical direction caused the group to disband a couple of years later.
Through the years, James has played in other bands, in addition to performing in a duo and as a solo artist. He writes in various genres, including pop, rock, country, folk and blues. Additionally, he writes orchestral compositions suitable for film or TV soundtracks. He is a member of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).
Lyrics
Carolina Sunshine
Words and music by Thomas James and Ted E. Kelly
Let me feel the morning sun breaking in the mountains.
Let the breath of springtime blow my way.
Walk with me to secret streams flowing through the laurel.
It’s going to be another lovely day.
That Carolina sunshine warms me like your love does every day.
Carolina sunshine… with it I’ll return my love your way.
[break]
Now and then I find myself aimless in my reveries,
Recalling times you used to spend with me,
And memories cloud my mind each day with Carolina mornings,
Waking with you lying next to me.
That Carolina sunshine warms me like your love does every day.
Carolina sunshine… with it I’ll return my love your way.
Carolina sunshine warms me like your love does every day.
Carolina sunshine… with it I’ll return my love your way.
Carolina sunshine warms me like your love does every day.
Carolina sunshine… with it I’ll return my love… with it I’ll return my love… with it I’ll return my love your way.