James Buckley
Songwriter, Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards

Taking piano lessons at seven years old didn’t really seem to gain much interest with James. But when he became eight he was “forced” to join the Saint Paul’s Cathedral Boys Choir. This was something that he did latch onto because he found out he had a very good ear for music and could sing anything that was asked of him. The highlight was performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony in Carnegie Hall where he and another boy were to sing a cappella in one portion of the performance. This performance was also turned into an album. It turns out that this experience had a major influence when he began composing songs later in life. Even as a boy, he was making up his own songs and was also influenced by the Beatles, their melodies and harmonies.
The ability to take life experiences and put them to song has developed itself and has become his strength. In 1976, he was urged to join up with 3 other musicians to form a band. Having messed around with a guitar very little, he was apprehensive, but with coaxing by the other guys became a part of a band called “Paladin”. Within a couple of months, he had written his first song with them and continued to grow as a writer and performer with Paladin, who became more and more into performing original music.
After Paladin, he became the lead singer for “The Features”, a new wave offering that had reasonable success and had maintained a good following of fans. He continued to write songs and assisted in helping some of the other guys in their writing.
The Features disbanded and James began working on a project called “Masque”, which was a rock musical about a day in the life of a boy who had to face many decisions in life that we all face. This was ultimately recorded and performed live with an onstage collection of 13 musicians, including some of the current members of “James”. The recording, which was produced by Tim Hadley, still stands dear to James’ heart as something special because of the message it sent, the success and hard work of all of the people involved.
James briefly performed as The Jim Buckley Band, but soon abandoned that and eventually his involvement in music completely.

Twenty years later, though, in 2003, as he was transferring some of these old songs he had written and recorded from tape to CD, some of his family wanted to hear it and reluctantly he gave them a copy to hear. This copy and others eventually got passed around and through the encouragement of his wife and many others he decided to try and make a return to music. He picked up his songwriting skills right where he left off and began writing with a vengeance. A couple of his songs have been recorded by some prominent local artists and was released on a CD called "Nied's Hotel". Many other songs have spawned and with the help of his longtime friends in “James”, they have made these “ideas” into songs that contain the passion and emotion for which they were intended.

John Casciato
Drums, Percussion, Vocal Harmony

It began in 1969 for John when he and some other friends from high school decided to start a band and play weddings. He had taken drum lessons at the school and was urged to join up and try his luck professionally. For the next eight years he played weekend after weekend covering many styles of music which allowed him to extend his versatility and establish his own technique.
In 1977, he stepped into the rock n’ roll world with “Mantra” and eventually “Paladin”, a four-piece original, classic and modern rock band, performing in the tri-state area of PA, OH, and WV while beating a path into the recording arena. After Paladin disbanded he became drummer for The Jim Buckley Band.
In 1983, John moved to North Carolina and entered the world of southern rock joining a new band called Encore, proceeding to win a local Battle of the Bands after just a month of rehearsing. He continued to record in the studio before moving on to play in other local bands in the area, mostly southern rock and even a Jimmy Buffet/Country Band playing parties and local clubs. In 1989 he joined a 5-piece Beach/Variety Band called Phoenix, playing local clubs and events.

In April of 1991, he began a two-year road trip with a Dallas-based band called Moses and The Highbrows, a lounge act that covered all styles of music. The road took him to Las Vegas, Houston and Chicago as well as a summer of fun and music at Lake Of The Ozarks in Missouri, all the while continuing his recording studio experience.

In 1993, John returned to North Carolina and joined a power trio called Valence, performing in North and South Carolina and as an opening act for Hootie and The Blowfish.

From 1997 to 2002, he beat the skins for Maco Station, a 5-piece country, blues and classic rock band playing extensively throughout the local area and recording their first CD which did well in the local market.

He returned to Pittsburgh and joined up with long time friend, James Buckley, who decided to return to music with the creation of “JAMES”.

John Carlino
Six and Twelve String Guitars, Banjo, Vocal Harmony

When he was 2, he got his first toy six string.His parents bought it at the five and dime.He played it till his fingers turned red.It was the gift that he got a Christmas time.

In ‘69, John and some older guys at school.
Got a band and tried real hard.
Jimmy quit, no one got married.
It was a great start, but never went too far.

If it sounds like a song to you, it is and so has the musical career of John Carlino been a song in a way. With an easy beginning, a great buildup, a few bridges, crescendos and a chorus of musical aspirations that have enveloped his musical life.
At the start of the 70’s John began with a band called “Hardwater” which eventually became “HIghway”. In 1972, he became an original member of “The Mystics” with current “James” member John Casciato. Then came “Schizm” with Tim Hadley. He then teamed up with John Casciato again to launch “Mantra”. Two years later, fate took him into a band with a brass sound, “Synergy”.
It was 1982, when John became a member of Rhonda and The Wise Guys, featuring Rhonda Zigarelli. He then helped start a band called “The Rage”.
Things sometimes go in circles and through all of these bands that he performed with he returned to play with “The Mystics” again.
In 1997 he applied his knowledge and experience spiritually with The St. Raphael Folk Group, under the direction of Pittsburgh’s own, John Maione.
In 2003, he added “JAMES” to his list of musical adventures and has proved to be an integral part of the “JAMES” message and concept.
Today, he often joins with John Maione & Friends occasionally, playing songs from Maione’s CDs. He is active with The St. Raphael Music Ministry, St. Raphael Elementary School as well as performing at masses and their special Christmas Program.

Tim Hadley
Guitar, Mandolin, Vocal Harmony, Bass

 Biography Coming Soon!!!!

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