Listen as we chat with James “D-Train” Williams
Biography
The soulfulness, the versatility, the uniqueness, the strength, the impact of the “D-Train”. You know when you are hit with the force of a train you will not be the same; and for three decades, James D-Train Williams has shared his unwavering vocals leaving a lasting impression.
Born and in Brooklyn, New York, James “D-Train” Williams began his singing career at age 6 fine tuning his vocals in many church and school choirs. While attending Erasmus High School he earned the prestigious title “D-Train” as a Defensive Tackle football star. (”When he hits you, you felt the impact of the Train”). James’ career came into play by a chance meeting. While helping out his fellow classmate the legendary Will Downing in the studio, he met producer Hubert Eaves III and the two embarked on a musical journey of Number 1 Billboard Hits. James “D-Train” Williams gave memorable and fresh-sounding R&B/dance tracks of the early to mid-1980’s. Along with Hubert Eaves III their first single, the brilliant “You’re The One For Me,” was released on Prelude Records in 1981. The song hit number one on the dance chart in early 1982 and kept that position for three weeks. Their first album for Prelude was 1982’s entitled “You’re The One For Me.” The album stormed the club charts and produced three powerhouse 12″ singles. Besides the stunning title track it also featured “Keep On” and the much-covered “Walk On By.” “Music,” D-Train’s second album, followed in 1983 and was supported with another batch of singles: “Keep Giving Me Love,” “Are You Ready For Me,” and the major club smash “Music” amongst them. “Something’s On Your Mind,” followed by “Oh how I Love You Girl”, and top 10 R&B hit, “Misunderstanding” (from his debut Columbia album, “Miracles of The Heart”,) followed by “In Your Eyes”, and a host of others. Having signed to the Epic/Prelude label, D-Train found greater success in the UK than at home in the U.S. He enjoyed three UK Top 30 hits with “You’re The One For Me” (1982), “Music, Part 1″ (1983) and “You’re The One For Me (Remix)” (1985). D-Train’s biggest US hit was the Billboard R&B Top 5 single, “Something’s On Your Mind” (1983). In 2009, D-Train released 701 Franklin Ave showing that the impact of the D-Train remains.
D-Train’s soulful yet versatile voice has been respected and requested by many, giving him the privilege to work with many renowned artists including Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross (Dance With My Father CD), Vanessa Williams (Everlasting Love CD) Bette Midler, Cher, Mary J. Blige, Cheryl Lynn, Patti Austin, Kirk Whalum, Judy Collins, Aaron Carter, Elton John (Aida CD), Clay Aikins (Christmas CD), Natalie Cole (Snowfall On The Sahara CD), and many others. Unknown to many, along with singing background vocals on CDs for many outstanding artists, James D-Train Williams is one of the number one Jingle vocalists in the industry. Spots such as; Be All That You Can Be (Army & Navy), Verizon, Kmart, Pampers, Got Milk, Cotton, AT & T, Optimum Online, New Jersey Bell, Kodak, Nescafe, Hanes, Budweiser, Home Improvement, and New York One to name a few. James has appeared in such films as: “Perfect Stranger” with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis, “Keeping The Faith” with Ben Stiller, and “A Walk In The Park” with Richard Gere & Winona Ryder. He is also the lead vocalist for the television theme Pokemon, Pokemon The Movie and background vocalist for Walt Disney’s “Hercules” The Movie. James continued his musical journey and shared his soulful voice in a different capacity as an On Air Personality with Sirius Satellite Radio from 2001 to 2008. You can still catch the D-Train, as he continues to perform throughout the United States and internationally.
