James Hand – The Essence of Country Music Authenticity (RIP)
James Hand—often regarded as one of the most authentic voices to ever grace the medium of country music—has died. He passed away Monday morning, June 8th, after complications due to issues with congestive heart failure. He was in a Waco, TX hospital and his former wife and mother of his two sons, Kayla Allen, was by his side and holding his hand as he passed on. James Hand was 68-years old.
“Authenticity” is that elusive ingredient everyone is searching for in country music, but few can truly capture. Embedded in every true country music fan is this nagging idea that somewhere out there is a treasure trove of country music waiting to be discovered. Somewhere, someplace, there’s a lonely man plugging away in some honky tonk, sweat beading across his brow and a life’s worth of pain behind his songs, who couldn’t hide his authenticity if he tried; a true country legend waiting to be discovered.
James Hand was that legend.
As Willie Nelson once said succinctly and completely, “James Hand is the real deal!” Growing up on the rodeo circuit with his parents, Hand started learning guitar and singing as a teenager, but never pursued music as a career. Instead he was a rodeo man and truck driver. Then in 1999 at the age of 47, he decided to release a proper debut album, Shadows Where The Magic Was. Immediately that authenticity of working and living for an entire lifetime before choosing to sing about it opened a floodgate of emotion and compelling stories.
47-years-old is a bit old to begin a career, but country fans in his native Texas and beyond saw that James Hand had something nobody else did. In 2006 he was signed to Rounder Records, and released The Truth Will Set You Free produced by Texas legends Ray Benson and Lloyd Maines, and began to tour regularly. Songs like “In the Corner, At a Table, By the Jukebox” left fans mesmerized and peppering Hand with Hank Williams comparisons, while the writing of “Shadows Where The Magic Was” proved he was worthy of recognition with all the great wordsmiths of music.
Hand released Shadow on the Ground in 2009 through Rounder as well. But that authenticity that made James Hand so compelling was also a burden on his soul. He never ventured far from his home in the tiny town of Tokio, TX (near the town of West) where he lived on his family’s property—horse barns and rodeo grounds in the back, with old relics of the rodeo life undisturbed in the house—Hand too sentimental to leave them behind. Stories of James getting squeamish and disappearing right before performances are told throughout the Texas tour circuit. He faced legal trouble due to abuse issues, but he didn’t use his stint in prison to bolster his bravado of how “Outlaw” he was, he uses it to show his humility as he did in an interview with NPR:
There are people in this business that play that up. “Aw man, I did this, and I did that.” Well, I want to tell you a little story about that. Everybody wants to know an Outlaw, but nobody wants to be an Outlaw. If a guy has a problem, he’s not gonna wear it on his sleeve because he doesn’t want anybody to know. If he’s an Outlaw he’s not gonna tell anybody because he doesn’t want anybody to know. The louder that people say they had a drug problem, or they went to prison, or that they’re an Outlaw, the less they probably did it, and the less that anybody with any kind of class wants to hear it.
Now if somebody asks me about it, I’ll be forthright and honest about it, yes. But if somebody doesn’t ask me about it, I don’t call a publicist and say, “Play this up.” Yeah, play this up because I went to prison and broke everybody’s heart in my family and a lot of my best friends.
Later in life Hand paired with Hillgrass Bluebilly Records to release Mighty Lonesome Man in 2012, offering more classics to the country music canon such as “Lesson in Depression,” or the defiant “Old Man Henry.” In 2014, he finally recorded the Gospel album he always wanted called Stormclouds in Heaven. That same year he also starred in an independent film about himself called Thank You A Lot.
Though he no longer had the backing of a major label or a big booking agent, James Hand continued to perform throughout central Texas and beyond. He was a regular of the Austin honky tonk circuit, won an Ameripolitan award, and opened the Ameripolitan Awards as a performer all seven years since its inception.
Hand also won the admiration of newer artists, often due to the authenticity he embodied. British country singer Ags Connolly also paid tribute to Slim in 2014 with the song “I Saw James Hand.” Charley Crockett did as well by featuring him in a video for the song “How I Got to Memphis.” Crockett was inspired to record the song after seeing James Hand perform it. “I think James Hand is the greatest living Honky-Tonker, and he had me in tears with the way he was singing those lyrics. He chokes me up every time I hear him sing.”
Born James Edward Hand Jr. on July 7th, 1952, he is survived by two sons, including professional bull rider Tracer Hand.
“Our hero and friend James passed away early this morning,” a statement reads. “His sons Shane Machac and Tracer Hand and nephew Cody Hand appreciate all the love and prayers, and need them now more than ever. They are absolutely devastated and overwhelmed at this time, and wanted to ask that everyone please respect their privacy at this time as they grieve this devastating loss. We will let everyone know information regarding any memorial services or things of that nature as that information becomes available. We love you James!”
Now all that’s left is a shadow where the magic was. Rest in Peace, James “Slim” Hand.
Dave D.
June 8, 2020 @ 8:20 am
His music enriched my life. May he rest in peace.
JoseyWales
June 8, 2020 @ 8:45 am
Fuck this year so much.
LIH
June 8, 2020 @ 9:27 am
I’m so sorry to hear this. I was fortunate to see him – just once – way up here in New England. We had hoped to see him up this way again.
Jack W
June 8, 2020 @ 10:36 am
When ever someone dismisses a music artist that works within a traditional style as a “nostalgia” act, James Hand is probably the first person that I think of when I refute that, at least in my head. Sure, he was traditional (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but he created great new songs (along with his performances) to add to the tradition. And country music is about the songs, right? Also, sometimes I would think about how you didn’t have to be an overtly country person to love his music. I mean, you had to like country music, obviously, but the themes of his songs were universal, while being gutbucket country at the same time. Like Hank Williams.
the pistolero
June 8, 2020 @ 10:48 am
Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?
How about James Hand?
…well, fuck.
Kevin Smith
June 8, 2020 @ 11:33 am
Lost a great one indeed! Too soon, too young, what a complete bummer. Like Trigman , I too saw his Ameripolitan performance this past February. He also sang a bonus song that weekend during the Bakerfield Tribute showcase and he about brought the house down with his performance. Trig, was that his last gig by chance? If so, we witnessed a historical moment.
Trigger
June 8, 2020 @ 12:22 pm
Not sure if we can say Ameripolitan was his last performance. He may have played once or twice before the COVID shutdown, I’d have to look. It was definitely one of his last.
Stellar
June 10, 2020 @ 4:08 am
Someone filmed him getting on stage with the Ameripolitan pickup band/jam session- in addition to all the official performances, there’s a late-night informal jam at the hotel the attendees were staying at, and he jumped in for a couple of songs the last night:
https://youtu.be/kJCjSX6B4q8
Bob Howell
June 10, 2020 @ 2:32 pm
James Hand’s last performance was Sunday March 15 at the Little Longhorn Saloon. I was fortunate to be in Austin that weekend.
Kevin Smith
June 10, 2020 @ 3:34 pm
Thanks for that.. Ginnys! Thats one of Dales favorite honky-tonks. Cool you got to see his final performance. Sad that it was his last however. Solo acoustic or did he have a band?
Bob Howell
June 11, 2020 @ 3:48 pm
James had a band. Guitar, Bass, and Drums. I recognized the guitarist from other times seeing James but don’t know his name or the drummer. Speedy Sparks was playing bass.
Trigger
June 11, 2020 @ 5:02 pm
Willi Indian was James Hand’s guitarist for a long time. Wrote an obituary for him when he passed away a few years back.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/lead-guitar-player-will-indian-passes-away/
Chris McElrath
June 15, 2020 @ 10:59 am
Bob, that was me on guitar. I was fortunate enough to be his guitarist for the last few years. John McGlothlin, his drummer of many years, was on drums that day. Thanks for being there that day. Little did any of us know how significant that day was going to be.
Wes Hickman
November 24, 2020 @ 9:47 am
When I heard James had died, I cried. James Hand was a true Texas troubadour in the purest sense. His style and unique voice will truly be missed by this old man. A truly humble man and will be remembered as one of the greatest country performers this world has ever known. I’m count myself as one lucky son of a gun to have heard his songs. I hope when my day comes he will shake my hand.
MICHAEL CRAWFORD
June 8, 2020 @ 11:42 am
Met James when he was supporting Dale Watson in a UK tour a few years ago. He was amazed that people here in Scotland knew who he was. So humble – and totally authentic, the real deal. I loved the five minutes I spent with him that evening. Rest in peace to one of the greats.
Corncaster
June 8, 2020 @ 11:49 am
What a natural. I’m off to listen up.
Travis
June 8, 2020 @ 11:52 am
Just like with Jimmie Capps last week, I’ve known a little about the person but know there is a lot out there for me to discover yet. Both Capps and Hand seem like authentic great musicians/people worth learning more about. I love the quotes above with NPR about being an outlaw. People that like to declare themselves anything; whether they are claiming to be outlaw, claiming to not be a racist, claiming to be a good person; or claiming to be stable genius (sorry for the political jab); always throws up a red flag and tells me this person is probably the exact opposite; otherwise, their actions would tell the story.
Bill Meador
June 8, 2020 @ 11:58 am
I am shocked and heartbroken to hear of his passing. We had him play some gigs at our steak ranch in East Texas, a few years ago. His songs were timeless honky tonks, even though most all were his compositions. I am very proud to have been his friend and loyal fan. True country music has died with Slim. Rest peacefully, my friend.
TXMUSICJIM
June 8, 2020 @ 12:41 pm
The purest form of country music I ever experienced was James Hand Solo acoustic I was mesmerized by the experience what a tragic loss!
tbg
June 8, 2020 @ 3:51 pm
What a bummer! James was one of the few remaining “real deals” left out there. This is sad, sad news.
Jerseyboy
June 8, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
So Sad, He was great, prayers to his family during this time. He was a real singer, reminds me of the great Don Walser. I’m sad tonight.
Chris
June 8, 2020 @ 4:10 pm
I like James Hand very much.
Authentic truly is an apt names for his music and style.
Gloria Opperman
June 8, 2020 @ 5:00 pm
I graduated West Tx class of 1970 with James! He always sang at our school assemblies and man could he belt the songs out! I was saddened to hear of his passing but I know he and his guitar now grace Heaven with my precious Deacon husband Jerry. I grew up around the West area all my life. I married the love of my life Jerry Opperman in 1991 and we hade 27 years of blissful married life together. My Deacon went to serve the Lord in 2018 and joined our precious fur baby Sugar Bear. Gloria Opperman 70 class WHS
Harpo
June 8, 2020 @ 5:21 pm
So sad.
brz
June 8, 2020 @ 6:13 pm
Oh man. Rest well James, and condolences to his family and friends. He was an amazing singer, and I get the impression an amazing person too. I had the good fortune to say hi after a show a couple times, and every time his humility left a genuine impression. I’ve met a lot of artists whose music is really important to me, but never one where i thought the the artist was more in awe of meeting a fan. That was really special, and so was he. He will be missed.
SteveS
June 8, 2020 @ 6:55 pm
How was I not aware of this guy. RIP. Trigger please put together of list of older musicians we should go see while we can.
DJ
June 9, 2020 @ 6:19 am
This^^^^^^^
Being someone who was once described as authentic by someone I had a great deal of respect for makes m feel close to a man I never saw, never mind knew. I wish I had.
David Oden
June 9, 2020 @ 12:05 am
The man was one of kind he was a life long friend I went to school with him he was the real deal even back then. I well miss him. May God bless I know he is heaven with his mom and dad . So long my friend
Jed Rogers
June 9, 2020 @ 4:46 am
Sad sad news. James Hand & The Conclusion Jumpers at Ginny’s – don’t know if they were filmed or not. If not, they should’ve been on film or youtoob or whatever. Miss ole Gene Kurtz too. Lot of great memories. Mr. Hand’s signature is on the pickguard from my old ’67 Fender.
Brandon
June 10, 2020 @ 1:45 am
He was my friend, the best I ever had. I’ll miss you pal.
Mike Trynosky
June 11, 2020 @ 3:38 am
Aderhold Funeral Home will be live streaming his funeral service Friday June 12 @ at 11AM.
Ben
April 30, 2023 @ 7:04 pm
RIP MY FRIEND RIP