Fredrick James Mullis Jr., or Early James as the world knows him, surfaced from the small town of Troy, Alabama, where music first stirred in his veins as a boy. The gift of a guitar at age sixteen, courtesy of an aunt, was a catalyst. Watching a local musician play covers at a family gathering ignited in him a yearning—this was it. He began weaving strands of his own reality into original songs like strands of a tapestry, influenced by giants like James Taylor and Johnny Cash. In the backdrop of familial support, he nurtured his songwriting in rustic Alabama before ambition nudged him to Birmingham.

Birmingham’s bustling music scene introduced Early to the exhilarating sense of possibility. He teamed up with Adrian Marmolejo and started Early James and the Latest, colliding genres from blues and folk to rock and classic country. His remarkable sound didn’t go unnoticed. Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys caught a glimpse of him performing, leading to a pivotal partnership. As James shaped his debut album, “Singing for My Supper,” it was clear he was grappling with larger themes, drawing from elements of the past while infusing a sardonic humor that reveals a lot more than it obscures.

He faced an unexpected twist when the pandemic put many live performances on pause, yet he continued with virtual shows, using that time to hone his craft further. The tension between ambition and circumstance often sets the stage for artists, and Early navigated it gracefully. His evolving artistic voice, described as “tattered and nervous,” became a hallmark of his music, exploring dark themes with striking lyricism.

Two albums later, with influences as varied as grunge to alternative rock, James finds himself on the precipice of something significant. As he heads out for his first headlining tour, he knows the journey is still unfolding. The Latest may refer to those near him in his musical journey, but for James, each performance reaffirms a steadfast affirmation: he’s just getting started.