Christian pop artist Coby James releasing new single, feeling 'Brand New'

At only 19-years-old, Coby James is thrilled to be sharing his joy-filled upbeat music with listeners.

"I was born in North Carolina. I moved the week of the pandemic shut down last year [to Tennesse]," says James. "I moved before Senior year of high school was even done, when I was 18."

James lives just outside of Nashville and enjoys immersing himself in the Christian music scene.

"I was completely ready to get out and be here, where music was. To be where I felt the Lord was calling me. It felt like where I was supposed to be."

He started writing and performing music at the young age of 15.

"I was playing shows around North Carolina and ended up playing music at a bar where I was playing original Christian music. I was opening for a band and the lead singer is now my manager. He was listening to the set and walked out halfway through."

While James thought it was because he didn't like his music, the singer was making phone calls to record labels in Nashville.

"We wrote the first EP in Nashville, ended up getting a tour with Danny Gokey, signing a record deal with Centricity all within the span of a year," says James.

Gokey started off young in the Christian music scene himself, as a contestant on American Idol. James says he enjoyed the touring experience.

"I toured with Danny Gokey in the fall of 2019 and then the spring of 2021. He was very kind to me, I mean I was just a 17 year old when we met. I just absolutely love him and his whole crew. We played a lot of basketball, funny enough. Most nights after a show we'd find a court and play."

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James spends most of his time writing songs and loves to do it. He's written 150 songs in roughly a year, and from that pile came his new single, 'Brand New.'

"I get my songs from life experiences and what God is teaching me that week. I feel like every week I'm learning something different, whether that's patience, or being joyful in the hard times, or embracing sadness, it's kind of that."

While James has faced hard times, he says he's generally a happy person, and his music reflects that.

"I would say, finding joy in every single day and trying to bring joy into people's lives, whether that's at the grocery store or just a friend. Just being what Jesus would be on earth, being that joy and that light."

That joy is mostly what James has found while being the young up-and-comer in the CCM world.

"More often than not, we all like to look out for each other. I've had so many artists come alongside me and be so kind, like Mark Hall from Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, all kinds. I'm so blessed with that. I honestly don't think I'd see that in any other industry."