Capturing the transcendent spirit of brotherly love like no other song in recent memory, Hugh James’s compelling new gospel-soul single and video “My Brother’s Shoes” is a stunning and heartfelt reminder to all of us not to judge the lives of others.
Originally from Garwood, New Jersey – a 40-minute bus ride from New York City – Hugh James started playing piano at the ripe old age of 5. He began jamming in garage/basement bands as a kid and soon started putting words and music together. He went on to study piano and composition at the University of Miami, before laying down roots in Los Angeles. Once there he developed a multi-faceted career in the music industry, including penning songs for Tiffany and Steve Holy, recording and performing live with the likes of Michael McDonald and BJ Thomas, placing songs in numerous films, and holding court as the Featured Pianist in Residence at Disney’s Grand California Hotel.
Hugh was inspired to write “My Brother’s Shoes” in the wake of the passing of his brother Doug in 2014, who had fallen on hard times. The headline of the newspaper story about Doug’s life and death (dateline: Lakewood, NJ) read, “From waterfront home to Tent City; homeless man dies after long battle with alcohol.” Once a successful contractor, Doug was found in Tent City wearing a red shirt and hospital socks – no shoes to be seen, leaving Hugh asking everyone from total strangers to Jesus for clues, on “My Brother’s Shoes.”
