James Wood, aka Chords of Wood, is a Tennessee singer and songwriter.

Born and raised in Central Ohio, I grew up in a hardworking, blue-collar family. In 2023, my wife of over 38 years and I settled in Southern Tennessee after living in Oklahoma, Ohio, Indiana, and Minnesota. We first met in 1984 while serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma—a foundation that has shaped much of our shared journey.

Music has always been a central thread in my life, from high school marching band, orchestra, and choir to college coursework in music theory and composition. As an unapologetic evangelical Christian, some of my fondest memories include singing in southern gospel groups for churches I attended and recording a five-track EP at the Gaither Studio in Alexandria, Indiana, after attending their Songwriting Intensive. Eventually, completing my B.F.A. in Integrated New Media from Indiana University South Bend, where I also explored creative writing and music.

Today, I continue to blend my passion for storytelling and music into songwriting projects spanning genres of Country, Christian, Smooth Jazz, Electronic, and film scores. Many of my works reflect themes of family, faith, freedom, and the working-class experience. I’m committed to pursuing personal and collaborative success in the music industry, with an optimistic eye toward the future and the opportunities it holds, (it will be intensely brighter in a post Deep State-Globalist Cabal world, FYI).