News

19 Jan

James Otto Celebrates Release of Zac Brown Band's New Single "No Hurry"

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 January 2012 20:04

Fifth Radio Release From ZBB's Current Album You Get What You Give Co-Written by Otto

Nashville, Tenn. (Thursday, January 19, 2012) – “When I got the call, my wife and I stopped what we were doing and started dancing around the kitchen of our house, we were so excited,” said singer/songwriter James Otto about the news his co-penned song “No Hurry” would be the new single release off of GRAMMY/CMA/ACM award-winning group the Zac Brown Band’s latest album, You Get What You Give. The heartening, ‘slow-down-and-smell-the-roses’ ballad is the fifth single from You Get What You Give and hits radio airwaves this week, joining the race to become the band's tenth consecutive No. 1 single on country radio.

James Otto Gets New Tattoo in Honor of Daughter

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 January 2012 00:06

James Otto is one proud daddy to his first born daughter, Ava Katherine … just ask him! After this past weekend’s activities, you don’t even need to strike up a conversation with the ‘Just Got Started Lovin’ You’ singer to know that, since he is now sporting some fresh ink across the inside of his wrist with his little love bug’s name.

“I went ahead & got that Tattoo tonight!” Otto tweeted on Sunday evening from Key West, Fla., where he has spent the past several days performing as part of a songwriting festival.

Otto had the tattoo put on his left wrist, matching the same tattoo his wife has on her right wrist, dedicated to their little girl born Aug. 24, 2010.

“I’ve wanted to do this tattoo since Ava was born,” Otto tells Taste of Country. “There are a lot of tattoos you may regret getting, but your child’s name is a safe bet. Plus, my wife isn’t a huge fan of tattoos, but it’s hard for her to be mad about one to honor our daughter [laughs]!”

James Featured in Nashville Lifestyles!

Last Updated on Friday, 02 December 2011 16:29

JAMES Go grab a copy of this month's Nashville Lifetyles' magazine to see James in the "Hear This!" section! Available in Nashville stands until the end of January.

11 Nov

Happy Veterans Day!

Hats off to all of our service men and women today who have served in the
military of the greatest country in the world. Because of you, we are able
to celebrate freedom-- the greatest gift of all. To all of those we have
lost in combat, thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice.... may you
forever rest in peace with God; and for those currently deployed, you're in
my thoughts and prayers every day. I hope we all can use this day as a
reminder of all of the blessings we have in this country and take time to
recognize those who make it possible. - James

09 Nov

'Parks and Rec' Star Chris Pratt is a James Fan and wait until you hear why!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 November 2011 19:39

111013-chris-pratt Chris Pratt comments on the soundtrack to his life!

What's the first album you bought with your own money?

The Beatles' White Album. I paid a kid named Luke to steal it. He had a little thing going on where he would steal shit for money.

Whose music has helped you over a breakup?
There's a song from Keith Urban ["You'll Think of Me"] that goes, "Take your cap and leave my sweater / In fact, I'll feel a whole lot better." Keith Urban writes good songs. "Nobody Drinks Alone" is great to listen to when you're drinking alone.

Growing up, did your parents object to anything you were listening to?
Everything. We got a Run-DMC record, and my dad threw it away when he found out they swore. It was like, "You can't listen to Pearl Jam, they're satanic." What? "They smoke pot." Well, they probably do.

What was the last concert you attended?

Zac Brown Band at the Hollywood Bowl. I'm a huge fan. I brought a couple of bottles of wine, and we sat on the grass and basically gave our wine away to strangers. I mean, we didn't give it all away. Actually, we drank most of it.

If you were to portray a musician in a biopic, who would it be?
People have told me I look like Gordon Lightfoot. I'm going to Google him... Oh, shit! I do look like Gordon Lightfoot. It sucks, though, because no one would go see that movie because no one knows who he is.

Name an album that is guaranteed to get a person laid.
I don't know if that album exists. There's this song by James Otto, "Just Got Started Lovin' You," about how we only have the weekend and I just got started lovin' you. If that doesn't work, she's not worth it.

What song would you like played at your funeral?
Only the song Elton John is going to write for me when I die.

If you were to curate a festival, who would headline?
Mouse Rat. I wrote one song for [Pratt's fictional Parks band] Mouse Rat that basically went "La di da di da / La di da di da / Ann." I registered it with BMI and they used it, so now they have to pay me.

What were you listening to the first time you smoked pot?
If I was going to sneak away from the folks and smoke weed, I was going to play Mr. Bungle or Faith No More. Something that seemed rebellious.

Is there a song you associate with your first kiss?
"Because I Love You" by Stevie B. It was a make-out party in the basement of my friend Joey's house. There were four of us, and the whole plan was: "Come over — we're going to make out." Her name was Sarah Duncan. You're welcome, Sarah.

See the original article http://bit.ly/sfIKKv !

02 Nov

JAMES OTTO CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN WITH MARY AND HIS LITTLE LAMB

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 November 2011 21:40

Nashville, Tenn. (Wednesday, November 2, 2011) --Aside from being out on the road this fall making special appearances on Reba's "All The Women I Am" tour, country soul powerhouse James Otto is spending a lot of time at home with his daughter Ava who celebrated her first birthday in August. Although he's known for his larger-than-life stature and tough-man military attitude, Otto has a soft spot in his heart when it comes to his little girl. Shamelessly, for Halloween on Monday, he dressed up as the farmer in Ava's favorite nursery rhyme "Mary Had A Little Lamb," and took Ava on a "hayride" around their neighborhood trick-or-treating in Nashville.

Pictured from left to right: Amy Otto (Mary), Ava Otto (Little Lamb), James Otto (Farmer), Izzy Otto (Farm Dog). High resolution image available by clicking "download."

26 Oct

James Otto Fills in for Steel Magnolia's Joshua Scott Jones

The show must go on for Steel Magnolia's Meghan Linsey. Her Steel Magnolia cohort, Joshua Scott Jones, entered rehab earlier this month, but the duo still has a string of shows opening for Reba McEntire's All the Women I Am tour.

Enter James Otto. Meghan will fulfill Steel Magnolia's Reba tour dates, with James filling in for Joshua at select shows. "I want to let you all know that as of now all Steel Magnolia scheduled shows will be happening, including the Reba tour," Meghan wrote to fans on the band's website following Joshua's announcement. "Obviously with Josh taking this time to get healthy he will not be with us, but we will still be playing the same hits you've heard at radio and putting on an amazing live show that might even feature some surprises! As hard as this time has been, I am excited to get out there and see you all. I cannot thank the fans enough for your continued love and support."

James Otto told GAC that he immediately said yes when he got the call from Meghan. "I thought our voices would blend really well. I know that our musical tastes are very similar and we're coming from the same place. Man, who wouldn't want to be out on tour with Reba McEntire? That was one of those things that's a no-brainer."

To read the original Country Weekly article, click here.

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