McKinley James is an old soul armed with an electric guitar and sharp songwriting chops. He breathes new life into classic sounds on Working Class Blues, a debut album that introduces his mix of American rock & roll, amplified soul, and raw rhythm & blues. A groove-and-guitar sound that’s been sharpened by countless shows – from dive bar residences in Nashville to headlining gigs across Europe – and rooted in the shared bloodline of McKinley and his longtime bandmate: father Jason Smay.
Together McKinley and Jason rewrite the rulebook for blues-inspired rock duos, creating a lean, honest version of American roots music. Like McKinley himself, Working Class Blues exists somewhere out of time, blending the contemporary with the classic, erasing the lines between genre and generation.
Recorded in their family barn studio, McKinley and Jason captured the album’s raw energy over three days using analog gear and minimal microphones. McKinley’s vintage ’54 Stratocaster and Jason’s 1970 Ludwig drum set set the tone for a genuine, unfiltered recording experience.
Premiering exclusively on American Blues Scene is the video for “Movin.’” Grooving along at the steady pulse of rock and roll from the outset, the only thing that could make this song even better are some infectiously catchy Motown hooks. And by golly, that’s what you get!
