Bio and music

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James White was born in Texas, and as a child moved to California. The monumental creative explosion of the West Coast music scene in the 60's and 70's had a profound impact on him as a young singer-songwriter. James developed his musical skills and songwriting in the thriving music scene of Northern California, where he went to college. He decided to try his songwriting skills in Nashville, where a fortuitious job offer with a show band took him to the Cayman Islaneds.

James White found a home in the islands and stayed for more than a decade. He was the artist -in-residence at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman, one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean. He met and married his wife Adela, also an expat from the States in Cayman for a break from the rat race. They married on Grand Cayman and raised two daughters, Hallie and Katie before moving back to the States.

During his time in the Caribbean, James picked up influences from Caribbean music legends, and he taught himself to play the steel drum.  He soaked up the culture of the West Indies and  picked up the nickname “Sunny Jim.”   Today, his original music is a blend of all that he has learned from California to the Caribbean by way of Texas. 

Sunny Jim has published 11 CDs, 9 studio recordings and 2 live performances. They include; Postcards from Seven Mile Beach, Life in the Laidback Lane, Sandbar Serenade, Tropical Trader,  Escape Artist, Sky Sand Water Moon, Tropicool, KISS, Flotsam and Jetsam, Rum Shoes and It’s Still Summer Somewhere. 

Sunny Jim has won numerous awards for his original music and performances.

Troprock Music Association (TRMA) 

· Entertainer of the Year 2013, 2023, 2024

· Songwriter of the Year 2014

· CD of the Year 2011, 2014, 2016, 2024

· Male Vocalist of the year 2008,2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,2013, 2014, 2015

· Musician of the Year 2010, 2012

· “I Can” Community Service Award 2014

Troprockin’ Magazine People’s Choice Award

· Troprock Icon 2019

· Singer/Songwriter 2018

· Favorite Song of the Year 2019