Biography

James was born in Richmond, Indiana to Rev. James H. & Jane Ann Rainey. James started playing piano at the age of 5. He studied under Bonnie Baker Taylor, who was the pianist at the Evendale Church of God in Evendale, Ohio. James would go home with her after church and Bonnie would show him chords and structures, key signatures and timing, flats and sharps, and all of the COOL piano licks. James was exposed to Southern Gospel Music early on. The church would have The Speers, The Rambos, The Downings, Doug Oldham, Lorne Matthews, and so many more. James’s first job was with The Gospel Harmony Boys from Huntington, WV. There, James learned all the old hymns of the church, and the proper quartet way of arranging and executing songs.

List of Accomplishments:

• The Hoppers

• Rusty Goodman

• The Greenes

• The McKeithens

• The Plainsmen

• The Singing Americans

• Wendy Bagwell & the Sunliters

• The Anchorman

• The Trailblazers

• Crimson River - founding member

• The Melody Masters

• The Stamps Quartet

• The Blackwood Quartet

• The LeFevre Quartet

• Wilburn & Wilburn

• Allison Speer

  Currently

  Solo Ministry with wife Laura Jo Rainey

  Record Company: Mark V Records

  Producer: Shannon Newman

  Booking Company: Mountain Top Talent

  Publicity & Promotions: Hey Ya’ll Media/Vonda Armstrong/Singing News