A native of Memphis Tennessee, the Home of the Blues, James Hurt was born on May 8, 1967. He grew up in the historic community of Orange Mound. James credits his Mother for his exposure to such greats as B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bobbie Blue Bland, Robert Cray, Johnnie Taylor, Al Green and Isaac Hayes. At age ten James was given an autographed copy of the classic Art Blakey album Witch Hunt. Using his chest of drawers and his mother’s pots and pans, James became dedicated to the drums by age twelve.