James Berrian is a baritone and founding member of the vocal group Veritas. He is featured on the new Christmas compilation album, A Thrill of Hope.
Natasha Barbieri: Tell us a little bit about where you grew up and when you first discovered classical music.
James Berrian: I grew up in northwest Alabama in the middle of nowhere! Our little town is called Phil Campbell, AL. Suffice it to say, I didn’t discover classical music until I moved away to college to study music education. I remember the first day of college choir, and our director had us sight-sing a Rachmaninoff choral piece called “Bogoroditse Devo.” I had never heard anything like that in my life, and I was HOOKED! I fell madly in love with classical music that day, and it’s a love affair that continues to this day.
Natasha Barbieri: Were friends/family supportive of the style when you started?
James Berrian: Absolutely! When I told my family that I had been cast as “Figaro” in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” several of my family members made the long drive to come to my performances. I was surprised to hear how much they enjoyed it after the performance. I think they fell in love with classical music as well!
Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about college because I think that’s a very transformative time for a musician. What are some of the lessons you learned that have helped you develop?
James Berrian: As I mentioned, the college was a very transformative time in my musical life. Thankfully, I attended a college that gave me many chances to perform on stage. That was huge for me. I also learned the value of rehearsal and hard work. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to those days in the practice room discovering new and uncharted territories of my voice. It was an amazing time of life!
Natasha Barbieri: In your bio, it mentions you love attending concerts. Unfortunately with covid, we can’t see live events but there are so many wonderful online streams popping up. Can you tell us some of your favorites?
James Berrian: Well, thanks to Netflix and YouTube, I’ve been able to discover some amazing live performances that were recorded before COVID. One of my favorites has been Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s collaboration concert on the Qello app. It is unbelievable! Also, Beyonce’s visual album “Black Is King” on Disney+ is incredible. It is visually stunning!
Natasha Barbieri: Since you are part of the group Veritas tell us if there were any other bands past or present (regardless of gender) that you would have liked to be part of or even just witness the behind-the-scenes working process of?
James Berrian: I’d love to sit in with David Foster in a recording session and see how he pulls the performances out of the artists he produces. He’s worked with some of the greatest artists of all-time, including Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli, and I know I could learn a lot from an experience like that. Also, she isn’t a band, but I find Beyonce’s drive, creativity, and work ethic very inspiring. I would love to sit in one of her rehearsals and see how she works.
Natasha Barbieri: Do you have a favorite piece to perform?
James Berrian: One of the defining moments in my career was getting to perform a piece I had written with my friend, Jay Rouse, called “More Than Conquerors” at Carnegie Hall a couple years ago. I love performing that song.
Natasha Barbieri: What is the first thing you plan to do after covid?
James Berrian: Go to a CONCERT!
Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your musical goals in 2021?
James Berrian: I can’t wait to get back on the road with my group, Veritas, and tour our new album, Decades! We’ve been working really hard with our producer, David Hamilton, in Nashville, and we can’t wait for people to start hearing what we’ve been pouring our hearts into this year.
Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
James Berrian: Christmas morning breakfast is one of my favorite traditions! Every year, my dad wakes up early and makes his famous homemade biscuits. Being from the south, I love biscuits, but there’s something extra special about having them on Christmas morning with my family.
Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about the piece you were featured on in “A Thrill of Hope” and what this particular track means to you.
James Berrian: I was very honored to sing a duet with my friend, Kate Stanford, on the classic Christmas carol “Hark The Herald Angels Sing.” It’s a beautiful arrangement that was recorded with the Moscow Symphony. It’s a gorgeous blend of classic, sacred Christmas and nostalgia. I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out!
“A Thrill of Hope” is now available on Spotify and Apple Music
To learn more about James Berrian visit Verita’s official website.
