As a teenager, former Morrison resident Gabe James skateboarded down the town’s streets singing. The neighbors heard him and told his parents what a beautiful voice he had.
“Until then, my parents didn’t even know that I sang,” James said.
They do now. James, 23, who plans to make music his career, appeared on the pre-recorded episode of “American Idol” that airs March 30 during the auditions portion of the contest.
“It was an incredible experience for me, and I’m excited for people to see it,” said James, who performed Bon Iver’s single “Skinny Love,” for judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood. “I felt considerably calm. I definitely had some nerves, but they were truly nerves that come in when you just really care about something.
“I’d given myself the time to prepare to where I just knew whatever is meant to happen is going to happen. I leaned on that comfort.”
Because the show hasn’t aired, James can’t reveal the judge’s response.
A Denver native, James and his mother, Jodean Spahn, lived in Morrison from 2013-2019. But his love of music was obvious from a much younger age.
“I started banging on guitar when I was 3,” he said. “I would bring it with me everywhere. I remember my dad was playing Van Halen when I was about that age. It gave me this crazy feeling; I just knew I really loved music.”
His parents both supported his musical interest.
“Until you’re about 7, you can’t really wrap your fingers around a guitar,” he said. “So my mom put me in lessons when I was 7. And I’ve been playing ever since.”
James and his mom moved to Morrison in 2013 after his parents had divorced, renting the basement of a family friend’s home in the town. James was enchanted with Morrison.
“I always tell people I’m from there because a lot of people know about Red Rocks and Morrison,” he said. “It was such a gift to be able to live there, and it felt like some of the most developmental parts of my life.
“I absolutely loved being on the cusp of the mountains in the foothills. I loved going on hikes, being outside. Between those years of my life, I didn’t love being at home most of the time. So, I was always going on really long walks and hikes. I would put one earbud in and walk and sing.”
James also took advantage of those years to attend as many Red Rocks concerts as possible.
In 2019, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical career. He signed with a music label, but later left it saying it was “a toxic environment” and has been performing since at venues including Hollywood’s Troubadour, the Roxy Denver, and LA’s Hotel Café.
“I didn’t just walk on the show and decide I want to be a singer,” he said. “I’ve been out in LA for the last six years, failing a lot of the time and learning. I really care about this. It’s my whole life.”
James, who writes his own music, describes his musical style as indie folk/alternative. His influences include Tom Petty, Sam Fender, Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits and the Bleachers.
An “American Idol” talent scout first reached out to James about two years ago, but he declined. A year ago, the same agent tried again. This time, a friend convinced James to do it.
“I wanted to be prepared, so for two to three months before the show, it consumed my life,” he said. “There are a lot of Zoom auditions you go through with producers. It’s a lot less straightforward than people see on the back end.”
James’ father, girlfriend and mom — whom he calls “my rock” and who now lives in Silverthorne — came to watch his performance and meet the judges.
“I’m still riding a high from the whole experience,” he said. “‘American idol’ is an incredible gift, a real opportunity.”
The show airs at 7 p.m. March 30. mountain time on ABC and Hulu.
For more information on James, you can find him at Gabexjames on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and You Tube.
