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Honing his craft from a young age is paying off for James Barrett.
Following the Spotify success of his first full length album “One More,” the Clarks Summit native and Abington Heights senior is set to record with Nik Bruzzese of Man Overboard and Ace Enders of The Early November at the duo’s newly opened studio, The Lumber Yard in Hammonton, New Jersey.
Barrett, who has performed since he was 12, released music with four-piece Emberá in August and quickly followed up with his solo LP in March, which has received 2,463 listens on Spotify as of May 19.
“I promoted the album a lot, but I was overwhelmed by the response and support I’ve gotten,” Barrett said.
One of those listeners was Bruzzese whose proven pop punk group is on hiatus since January and who is developing other artists along with equally successful Enders. Bruzzese reached out to Barrett on Facebook to ask if they could work together.
“I’m not sure how he found me,” Barrett said. “He must have been really looking one day.”
Barrett, who had seen Man Overboard at Warped Tour in 2013, said he jumped at the chance to work with the seasoned musicians.
“I immediately said yes,” Barrett said.
The singer/songwriter/guitar player is scheduled for two 10-hour recording sessions at The Lumber Yard on July 9 and 10. He’s taking fellow Abington graduates Terry Hurst Jr. who co-wrote the title track on “One More” and Emberá lead guitarist David Sorokanich for their input.
“He’s one of the best guitar players I’ve ever met,” Barrett said of Sorokanich.
Barrett records a three song EP when he hits the studio with Bruzzese and Enders, and he is excited for the opportunity.
“Obviously they’ve had tremendous success,” Barrett said. “They’re both doing something right. It’s going to be awesome to hear their ideas. It’s going to be great to work in the same environment as them.”
