Joelle James

Joelle James charts a path on her own
The Valley News, July 20, 2001
Mark M. Redfearn For Valley News

Although she's only 11 years old, Joelle James has a pretty good idea of what she wants to be when she grows up: "I want to be a famous recording artist."

While Bill James agrees that his musically precocious daughter is probably on the fast track to fame, he's hoping that her talent will be channeled in the right direction. He says that Joelle's voice is a gift from God and he wants her to use it accordingly. "She doesn't need to be the next Britney Spears," he says.

Joelle assures her dad that he doesn't need to worry about where her artistic aspirations will take her. "I don't want to copy anyone. I want to be my own self," she says.

In fact, the self that her parents often see is that of a typical pre-teen. Bill says he marvels that Joelle seems so mature while singing the national anthem prior to a baseball game or soccer match. But the instant she's finished she'll dash off the field into the grandstands to goof around with her friends and devour hot dogs. She'll even beg to play on the Jolly Jump if one is available. Kid stuff.

But there's nothing childish about Joelle's love for singing. She takes her music seriously, working under the tutelage of a top Riverside County voice coach and practicing an hour or more per day.

"I have to practice to be good," she explains. "It's really like doing sit-ups (for my voice)."

Julie James says her daughter started singing before she could read. "She's always liked music."

As a 5-year-old, Joelle would sing along to the radio or stereo while her mother made dinner. Her mom would pause while preparing the meal and say, "You have a good voice."

Joelle's voice has made her somewhat of a celebrity and has resulted in dozens of invitations to sing in all sorts of venues, from nursing homes to Christian youth camps to professional sports events. While she's had plenty of practice singing in front of large crowds -- most recently at a San Diego Spirit game on July 8 -- Joelle admits to an occasional attack of pre-performance jitters just before going out on the field to sing the national anthem.

But because she presents a veneer of control and serenity, even her parents aren't usually aware of her nervousness. "It always amazes me -- she seems so calm." says Bill.

Joelle says that prayer helps to allay her fears and gets her ready to perform. "Normally I just pray, then I sing -- and I'm fine."

Bill says that his daughter's involvement in activities at St. Martha's Catholic Church helps her to keep her priorities straight and strengthens her morals and values.

"(We) are trying to be very supportive, exposing her to good things," Julie says, adding that she and Bill don't want to live vicariously by basking in Joelle's successes.

Because the invitations to sing keep pouring in, Joelle finds she is forced to pick and choose which activities to get involved in and which to cut out. For instance, she's planning to start soccer practice soon, which will surely mean having to turn down some singing engagements.

"She's already giving things up, but she doesn't mind," Julie says.

When Joelle finds she has to choose between singing and soccer or something else, remembering where her true giftedness lies helps make the choosing somewhat less painful. "I think you have to have the gift before you can do it," she says.

And as every artist knows, work and play are one when the artist is fully involved in using her gift. Says Joelle: "Once it's not fun anymore, I'm not going to do it -- but it's always fun."

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