Second album for James Otto, 'Sunset Man,' blends country with R&B - Dallas Morning News
Second album for James Otto, 'Sunset Man,' blends country with R&B - Dallas Morning News 
Posted by Team Otto - Jun 04, 2008
Second album for James Otto, 'Sunset Man,' blends country with R&B
By MARIO TARRADELL / The Dallas Morning News
Country soul. It's not an oxymoron in 2008. James Otto can prove it.
Listen to his recent No. 1 single, "Just Got Started Lovin' You," and the way his bourbon-and-molasses voice caresses the lyrics to deliver a tune for breezy Southern nights. One spin is proof enough that Mr. Otto deserves a second shot at stardom. He sounds like a merger of Hank Williams Jr. and Ray Charles, channeled through Travis Tritt and Willie Nelson, then dotted with Ronnie Milsap and Conway Twitty.
"The reason that I play country music today is Hank Williams Jr. He made country music cool to me," says the 34-year-old by phone from his home in Nashville. "Prior to that, it was what my grandparents were listening to, the gospel stuff. Not that I didn't think those things were cool. But when you're a kid, those things aren't cool to you. Even Willie Nelson ... the style of songs that he wrote and he picked were very much R&B-influenced and jazz-influenced."
Finish the story here.
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I love your pictures of James in Knoxville!!! (smiles)
You were definitely blessed that day! How much time did you get with James that day? I envy you. (smiles)
God bless you and him always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
P.S. I will never live down how much of an empty headed person I was when I got to meet him and I could be stuck with that for the rest of my life too. (shaking)
I can't wait to see your shots of James in Knoxville!!! (smiles)
You have to add those who want to see them as your friends over there so that they can see your pictures. (smiles)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
Pics
I got alot of really great pics from James's show in Knoxville and in Atlanta. If anyone would like to see them they are on my myspace page at www.myspace.com/songbirdhannah
Hope you enjoy them. They are awesome cause any pic of James is great!
I would love to see "Sunset Man" go to radio! (smiles)
I LOVE bluegrass sounding music and I am sure that there are plenty who can relate to the song. (smiles)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
P.S. Would "Drink & Dial" do well on the radio? I don't remember another song on country radio containing the mentioning of a booty call. (smiling nervously)
Review on Sunset Man on SCNOW
OMG........What kind of critic is he. I agree, some people don't know good when they hear it. Thank God for us James has a fan crew behind him. I totally love the song Drink and Dial I thing that song is funny and cute because we have all been there. Ain't Gonna Stop will probably be his next big Single.....I just know it will. I love James Otto till the end of time. I love his style, the way he sings, his voice I just love everything about James Otto.
Ally ----An Ottomanice ac ac ac
I pray that a second chance for me is not too far away! (smiles)
I envy you so much girl, but I pray so hard that you have a safe and wonderful time and that you get to meet James this time! You will love him even more after you meet him!!! (big smile)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
Happy Camper right now.. and Prayers too!!
I am sending up Prayers for all of you at this moment!! and The reason I am a happy camper you ask? I just bought my James Tickets for his July 5th show at the Beachwagon in Myrtle Beach SC!! I am totally ready now.. I hope he does a meet and greet since there was a fiasco in Marion County.... I have no idea what happened but evidently this is my second chance.. I hope it happens!!
I'm on it! (smiles)
I got you covered! (smiles)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
YES!
For those of us who know you very well, then the answer would be yes! LOL
Amy
#1 Ottofan from SD
secretly wondering...
if I am the nut. LOL
lol
Power of Prayers.....
Prayers to all Ottomaniacs and extra prayers to one very special Ottomaniac who is a nut!
*~Vonna Rose~*
I have yet to hear or read such a thing too!!! (smiles)
James was the absolute awesomest in Knoxville, I pray so hard that it isn't my last time getting to see him!!! (smiles)
God bless you and him always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
SOUNDS LIKE THIS GUY DOESN'T KNOW A GOOD THING....
I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE JAMES OTTO TWICE THIS WEEK. WED IN KNOXVILLE, TN THEN SUNDAY IN ATLANTA, GA AND BOTH SHOWS WERE THE BEST! JAMES AND HIS BAND KNOWS HOW TO ROCK THE CROWD. I DON'T KNOW ANYONE THAT HAS GONE TO ONE OF JAMES'S SHOW THAT HAS LEFT SAYING THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED. HE IS SO AWESOME!!!!!
Some people just don't know awesome stuff when they hear it.
We should all just be glad that we do not add to such a group of people. (smiles)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
I agree with you...
I really did not like this review very much at all. I mean, his first two singles are JGSLY and FY and the guy doesn't even like them??? I agree with everything you've said here.
Amy
#1 Ottofan from SD
well, I reckon
Maybe I'm partial.. but I just don't agree with the criticism in that review! I mean.. he thinks drink and dial is stupid? C'mon now! Its cool and cute! And at the concert, everybody liked it. I especially like the second verse!
Anyway, I give that review a C. Yeah, overall its a positive review but it was way too critical of James's style and abilities. It kinda made it seem as if John Rich is the reason the album is good at all.
The dude said that JGSLY is "so so"... ok, that song made it to number one. And For You is one of the most touching songs I have ever heard! WTF!
I will definitely do this...
I'm sorry to hear that any fellow Ottomaniacs are going through tough times right now. I know of a couple myself, but will definitely keep everyone in my thoughts & prayers. The positive power of prayer is amazing! Thanks Michelle for helping us to realize that if we stick together we will be stronger. I know several of us have already gotten support from each other and it is nice to know there are people out there that live halfway across the US that care about you. :o)
Amy
#1 Ottofan from SD
Thoughts and Prayers
Prayer is powerful! May God send the comfort of His Spirit to his people in this time of natural disaster, war and economic uncertainty. Being an Ottomaniac rocks, but being a compassionate group of caring and throughtful human beings is even greater. Thanks Michelle for this posting to remind us all of what really counts.
You got it! (smiles)
Especially if you are meaning those who are in the flood areas.
God bless you and them always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
To me, the Sunset Man album is better than an A++++. (smiles)
I just pray that there aren't too many people in this world that are in need of a Q-Tip, if such a thing is okay to point out here. (smiles)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
Thoughts and Prayers
I believe in the power of prayer and positve thoughts. So, I'm gonna ask that we keep our fellow Ottomaniacs in our thoughts and prayers. I've know a few of them that are having it rough right now and I'm sure that they would appreciate all the extra prayers!
~ Michelle ~
Review of "Sunset Man" on SCNOW
Nick Hilbourn of the Columbia, SC Morning News published the following review of "Sunset Man". I sure can't agree with all of his comments, but the overall review is favorable.
http://www.scnow.com/scp/entertainment/eight_days_a_week/article/james_o...
I can't wait to see James in his next video!!! (smiles)
Oh the suspense!!! (smiles)
God bless you and him always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
"For You" video...
Thanks for always keeping us up to date on all of James' happenings!!! Will be looking so forward to it!
Amy
#1 Ottofan from SD
For You video
Hey Ladies-
There WILL be a video FOR YOU ;) (forgive my cheesiness.)
The treatment is lovely and we'll be shooting soon. In the mean time, there will be some exciting things to tide you over until the Concept Video hits CMT/GAC. Keep an eye on the site, we'll keep you posted.
Lyssa- Team Otto
"For You" Radio Release
This is exciting news!
Please everyone---
Email or call your local radio stations or log into XMRadio Highway 16 at http://www.xmradio.com/help/emailus.xmc?ch=16 and send them an email to request "For You" when you get a chance.
Not sure how to find your local radio station? Go to http://www.radio-locator.com
Lets drive "For You" to No. 1 day ONE!
I can't wait to BURN up them phone lines for James!!! (smiles)
And may there be a video to go with "For You". (smiles)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
Request "FOR YOU" June 9th!
I love when James performs FY "live" too! I definitely want to see a video too!
*~Vonna Rose~*
i just got the new cd
i just got the new cd today.. finally, ive wanted it for a while, especially after seeing him in concert last week. My favorite song is still "For You", which is awesome live by the way. I cant wait to see if he does a video for it
***AMBER***
His first album
You will love it!!! Every song!!! (smiles)
God bless you and James always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee