James Price: The Grit and Soul of Modern Blues Rock

James Price is a British blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter known for his raw, emotive vocals and incendiary fretwork. Hailing from Manchester, England, he achieved mainstream success with his second album, 'Crossroad Heart', which debuted at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart and was later certified gold.

Early career

Born in 1985, Price began playing guitar at age 14, deeply influenced by the blues records in his father's collection. He cut his teeth performing in pubs and clubs across Northern England before self-releasing his debut EP, 'Northern Echoes', in 2009, which caught the attention of independent label Riverside Records.

Breakthrough

Price's major breakthrough arrived in 2015 with his sophomore album, 'Crossroad Heart'. Released on Riverside Records with distribution by a major, the album's lead single, Midland Train, became a staple on rock radio, propelling the album to gold certification in the UK and establishing Price as a formidable new voice in the genre.

Key tracks

Midland Train — This driving, riff-heavy single became his signature song and first major radio hit.

Crossroad Heart — The title track showcases his soulful vocal delivery and lyrical depth, anchoring the breakthrough album.

Steel & Grace — A later collaboration with veteran singer Dana Fox, it expanded his audience to adult contemporary charts.

The Letting Go — A fan-favorite deep cut celebrated for its extended, emotive guitar solo.

Following the success of 'Crossroad Heart', James Price toured extensively and collaborated with artists like slide guitarist Ben Waters. His third album, 2019's 'Iron & Wood', debuted at number 8 on the UK chart and featured a grittier, more produced sound, though it did not replicate the prior album's sales certifications.

Fans of James Price's brand of heartfelt, guitar-driven rock should also explore similar artists featured on our site. Kings of Leon share a similar balance of southern-tinged rock and anthemic songcraft. The Black Keys embody the same raw, blues-rock revival spirit that Price channels. Gary Clark Jr merges traditional blues with modern rock intensity in a comparable way. Tom Grennan offers a British perspective on soulful, raspy-voiced rock with widespread appeal.

The music of James Price maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on classic rock FM stations and dedicated blues rock programs. His hits are regularly featured on online rock radio streams and independent music radio stations that champion guitar-based artistry, ensuring his sound reaches both long-time fans and new listeners daily.

You can hear the powerful blues rock of James Price on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover his catalog, from early deep cuts to his chart-topping anthems, across our curated selection of stations.