James McKenna: News

James will be going into the studio early this summer to record a full-length album. The album will be produced by James' long-time collaborator, Billy Schleifer. Keep checking here for updates and song previews...

The largest Australian newspaper, The Herald Sun, ran the following article on Sunday, June 3rd 2007.

COMETTI'S FOOTY ODE

Rosanne Michie

June 03, 2007 12:00am

DENNIS Cometti has co-written a song he hopes will be sung at the AFL Grand Final.

The AFL commentator, who was once a disc jockey and has a passion for music, has paid for the song to be recorded by little-known American artist James McKenna.

Channel 7 has agreed to use the song in its football coverage.

Cometti has met executives at Sony BMG in a bid to secure a recording contract for McKenna.

He hopes to bring the young singer/songwriter to Australia to promote the song.

The unlikely scenario began when Cometti, who surfs the internet extensively looking to buy undiscovered material from around the world, stumbled across McKenna's Seven Cigarettes album.

He said at least four songs on the album should be hit records.

"We have become quite matey," Cometti said of the relationship that has developed through emails and phone conversations.

Cometti did not initially mention his celebrity status. But he eventually told McKenna that his radio and TV experience might help the singer.

McKenna searched the internet for information about Cometti and was surprised he was very well-known and well-liked in Australia.

"I found his article on Wikipedia and I have been learning all about his Cometti-isms ever since," McKenna said.

"I would really like to meet him just to shake his hand. It's just nice to know that someone on the other side of the world appreciates what you do."

Cometti rewrote the lyrics of one of the album's songs, Jump, to suit AFL. The pair also collaborated on a funkier version that has captured the eyes of Seven producers.

James will be getting some spin every day over the next two weeks on Mix 94.5 in Perth, Western Australia during the afternoon drive show - The Big Couch. You can listen online at www.mix.com.au - I know it's a odd hour for those of you in the US, but if you're up early (or really late) you may just want to check it out.

Still Tuesday and Thursday but now I have a new partner-in -crime: Shaun Hague, a true pro on guitar and a great addition to the show - please keep up the support

Cheers

James

In early February, James will release "Seven Cigarettes", an EP of songs written by James and produced by Billy Schleifer. Fully mastered by Dylan Dresdow and featuring beautiful art design by Chad McCown, you'll be able to purchase the CD at all James' shows as well as on the web at CDBaby, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, Musicmatch, and more...