“What you don’t play is as important as what you do play. You need the space, as it makes the small things that you do seem bigger”: 5 questions with McKinley James

McKinley James

McKinley James is at the forefront of the current crop of new, young blues guitar players. Named after Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield), it was a no-brainer that he’d gravitate toward the blues, although for James, there’s a hefty dose of vintage Stax soul in the mix. 

Eschewing the predictable, over-the-top flash and bombast of so many axe-slingers, James’ playing is all about tone, touch and taste, with a mighty injection of hard-rocking energy in the mix.