Singer James TW is on the verge of big break

The Cover of James TW's EP Just a Number

Singer-songwriter James Taylor-Watts, 16, of Barford, whose artist name is James TW has been invited to New York and Los Angeles in August to perform in front of representatives from two major record labels.

The offer of a recording contract would be a dream come true for James, who was featured in the Courier two years ago after he had released his first single She’s the One on Itunes.

At the time , he said: “I only really got interested when I gave up killing songs with a violin and started playing the drums when I was about ten.

“After a couple of years I also started learning the guitar and piano, mostly by taking some theory from school and using YouTube to learn how to play my favourite songs.

“At about the same time I started writing my own songs and now have loads of scraps of paper with half-verses and choruses on.”

Much has happened in James’s budding musical career since then.

He received much praise for his performance in the lead role of a school production of Jesus Christ Superstar and has released a number of other tracks which have been supported by BBC Radio.

BBC Introducing has also named James as an ‘up & coming artist’ in 2013 and ‘one to watch’ for this year.

He has signed a contract with a California-based artist manager and his YouTube site averages 1,400 new views per day with the majority coming from the US, Germany and Brazil.

Last week he finished recording his EP Just a Number at Sticky Studios where Ed Sheeran, an idol of the teenager, has recorded many of his tracks for his forthcoming album.

Just a Number will be released on iTunes on Friday May 9.

James is planning several gigs to raise funds for his US trips, including at the Leamington Live Art and Music Project in Adelaide Road on Friday June 20.