An American and a Brit once met when one couldn’t decide which variety of tea to get—and the indecisive party may not be the one you think (no, you didn’t accidentally open sappy TV movie listings). Gentleman James from across the pond was having trouble deciding, so Karli stepped in with a suggestion (English breakfast, aptly enough) and the two have been making beautiful music together ever since.
Yes, he may have been holding up the line, but love isn’t always on time.
If you hate love songs, but love love, then Buddy’s may be the perfect place for you to witness stateside songstress Karli Chayne combine forces with the love of her life, James Sinclair-Stott, as the musical duo Karli & James.
The two have several releases to their credit, and some heavy hitters are taking notice. Their video for “I Need Neon” recently received heavy rotation on the CMT 12-Pack, a fan-voted block of videos on the 24/7 music channel. It was co-written by Karli and James along with Brady Seals and Porter Howell, former and current members of Little Texas, respectively. Howell (who co-wrote “The Wine’s Gone to My Head” with them, too) adds a slick slide guitar to the track and is featured in its video.
Its power is impossible to deny—“I Need Neon” will be line-dancing circles in your head for eons.
The charismatic couple (previously professionally known as Cross Atlantic) knows a thing or two about lighting up a room, even when they’re the only ones in it. Just ask the viewers of their video blogs in which they clearly have no fun at all and never poke fun at one another’s culture differences.
But you really have to be there in real time to feel what they bring to a room.
At first I thought I’d love you like a brother. But if you haven’t noticed I’ve discovered . . . I love you like a lover. That’s an excerpt from Karli & James’s song “Love You Like a Lover,” written by Karli, James and Adam Wheeler and featured on the 2023 EP Someday Dreaming, which can be yours from their online store. For a small price more you can even get an autographed copy. It also includes “I Need Neon” and “The Wine’s Gone to My Head.”
Additionally, their self-penned song “Tullahoma” has sparked much attention across the nation, singing praises for the Tennessee town on the radio waves.
Tullahoma has become a special place to Karli & James. They say the quaint town reminds them both of their own hometowns in Missouri and in the U.K. and feels like home, plus it has “a nice ring to it.”
“[We] believe that chasing a dream like ours requires us to be fearless in certain ways, but all we really want to do is make our families and hometowns proud,” Chayne said.
The bulk of the booked dates for Karli & James for the foreseeable future look to be at Puckett’s in downtown Nashville, likely a welcome partnership considering Puckett’s has become well-charted territory for the two. K&J are also familiar stage sights at the Murfreesboro location about every other month, also.
On Saturday, March 9, Karli & James join Alex Hall and Gina Venier to play Buddy’s Place. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. Buddy’s Place shows occur at Cedar Springs Ranch, 9638 Rocky Hill Rd., Lascassas. Concertgoers may bring lawn chairs, snacks and beverages.
For tickets and more information, visit buddysplacenashville.com.
“Buddy’s is always a fun show,” K&J state. Come join the fun and hear the showcase of stories behind all the songs and collective musical heritage(s).
For more on Karli & James and for updates on other upcoming local shows, visit karliandjames.com.
