James Barker Band
Contemporary Country
ActiveAbout
The James Barker Band is a Canadian country group formed in Woodville, Ontario in 2013. The band consists of James Barker, Taylor Abram, Connor Stephen, and Bobby Martin. The members all grew up within an hour of each other in rural towns surrounding Toronto. The story began in 2009 when James Barker (lead vocals/guitar) and Connor Stephen (drums) first met at band camp. The band's big break came in 2015 at the Emerging Artist Showcase at Boots and Hearts Music Festival, where their raw talent and undeniable charm earned them the top prize. Following their 2015 win, they were signed to Universal Music Canada. In Canada, they have six number one country singles with "Chills", "Keep It Simple", "Over All Over Again", "New Old Trucks", "Meet Your Mama", and "You Didn't Hear It from Me". The band received two Juno Award nominations for Breakthrough Group of the Year and Country Album of the Year at the 2018 Juno Awards, winning the second. The band's debut extended play, "Game On," was released April 21, 2017. They released their first full-length studio album "One of Us" on September 5, 2025. The band names artists like Keith Urban, Eric Church, Maroon 5, and the Arctic Monkeys as some of their top influences. They've been described as an engaging and energetic group from Ontario who quickly became one of Canada's biggest country acts. The James Barker Band's catchy hooks, energetic performances, and relatable lyrics have made them one of the most successful Canadian country acts of their generation.