[1] Tom T. Hall dubbed King the "Bluegrass Storyteller", for his ability to infuse his story songs with emotion and authenticity.
[4] His father Jim King had appeared on Roanoke television with Don Reno and Red Smiley as tenor vocalist and guitarist for the Country Cousins.
[5][7] After a stint in the United States Marine Corps, King relocated to Wilmington, Delaware where he started a band with Lundy's sons T.J. and Bobby.
[2] In 1998 Bed by the Window was the recording debut of the James King Band, and its title track was nominated for IBMA's Song of the Year in 1999.
[1] King released The Bluegrass Storyteller in 2005 with Kevin Prater (mandolin), Bernie Green (banjo), Jerry McNeely (bass), and Adam Haynes (fiddle).
He was assisted by Connell, Don Rigsby, Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), Ronnie Stewart (banjo), Jesse Brock (mandolin), Jason Moore (bass), and Josh Williams (guitar).