James was from Ballymena, County Antrim, and supposedly a terrific Irish fiddler who would probably be far better known today if he had settled in 'Paddy in the Smoke' (London) or even Liverpool. For the geographically challenged, Widnes is very close to Liverpool.

James also gave the great Ulster song collector Sam Henry numerous songs and tunes, the best known being 'Kellswater', which Sam published in 1937.