James Wesley puts those core values into his music with a whiskey-smooth voice and a timelessly winning way with a great country song. Wesley sings directly to real people about real things that profoundly affect real lives—and from his small-town upbringing to his blue-collar work ethic, he has a deep understanding of what those folks are longing to hear.
"I know there's more people out there than just me who want to hear something that grabs you and makes you go, 'Wow, that's me—that's how I feel, that's my day, that's my family,'" he says. "When you swing a hammer every day, when you're out there doing what you have to do, you learn a lot of compassion for the people that do it day in and day out."
Wesley grew up in tiny Mound Valley, a community of about 200 people in Southeastern Kansas. He first discovered country music via his grandmother's record collection, which included heaping helpings of classic crooners like Marty Robbins, George Jones and Ray Price. "We'd go over there on the weekends," he recalls. "She'd have the console set up and the records stacked up and we'd listen to them as they dropped. Those guys back then, they could sing. I thought, 'That's what I want to do.'"
His mother was the first to notice Wesley's own talent for singing when she overheard him belting out his favorite songs behind his bedroom door. "I thought if I shut my door I blocked everybody out, but evidently I didn't block Mom out," he says with a chuckle. "She heard me and said, 'I'd love to have you sing in church.' So that's what I did." Soon he taught himself to play guitar on an old Stella practice model. "I've got it to this day," he says. "You can still see where I wore down the D, C and G chords on the fretboard."
By his late teens he was singing in local nightclubs and beginning to think about making music his life. "I'd sit in my bedroom and stare out of the window and dream of being out there, getting to see the world," he remembers. His first move in that direction was to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he performed in a nightly music and variety show.
There he met his wife, Mindee, with whom he now has two young children—and finally set his sights on Nashville. "I could have stayed in Eureka Springs for the rest of my life, but I just had to chase the dream," he says. "I had to follow my gut." He and Mindee sold their house and almost everything in it, rented a moving truck and headed for Music City. Once there, Wesley took a construction job to make ends meet and began learning the ropes of the Nashville music business. He met hit songwriter Rodney Clawson and producer Dan Frizsell, and the three began recording together.
Their work caught the attention of Broken Bow Records, which signed Wesley in December and quickly released the very first song on his original demo, "Jackson Hole," as his debut single. The tune (penned by Clawson and Monty Criswell) immediately began racing up the charts, driven by listeners who loved its vivid story of fleeting love in a snowy setting. "Jackson Hole" offered fans an upfront introduction to the more vulnerable aspects of Wesley's personality. "Growing up with three sisters, I've got a sensitive side too," he says with a smile. "But I'm proud that I have that side, that I'm not callous. The only thing calloused about me is my hands."
The breakout success of "Jackson Hole" instantly validated the enormous risk Wesley took in uprooting his family from Eureka Springs for an uncertain future in Nashville was worth it. "My family has seen all the ups and downs," he says. "There's been a lot of hard work. There's been times it wasn't easy, and they've been there the whole time. They're great." It also meant that Wesley's days of construction work were over. "Thank God I get to put the hammer down, at least for a while," he says with a laugh. "It's nice to be able to do what I love to do."
James Wesley hopes to do what he loves to do for a long time to come. "I want to be in it for the long haul," he says. "I want to do those songs that everybody wants to hear, and that everybody can feel. I want to be the guy who tells the stories, and tells it like it is."
Thank a Farmer
James Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the coffee in your cup
Don't thank the corner store
For that early morning rush
Thank a farmer
Yeah I think back to that hayfield
Filled with girls and four-wheels
You can thank a farmer
I still believe in amber waves of grain
Man on his knees praying for rain
That grew this country strong
And keep us moving on
They get tougher as their lives keep gettin' harder
Oh I think it's time
We all thank a farmer
From the blacktop roads you ran
That used to be his land
To big cities and small towns
That he built with his two hands
You can thank a farmer
And for this shirt on my back
And these boots on my feet
And them tank top wearin' country girls
And them old skin-tight bluejeans
I thank a farmer
Yeah, thank a farmer
I still believe in amber waves of grain
Man on his knees praying for rain
That grew this country strong
And keep us moving on
They get tougher as their lives keep gettin' harder
Yeah I think it's time
We all thank a farmer
I still believe in amber waves of grain
Man on his knees praying for rain
That grew this country strong
And keep us moving on
They get tougher as their lives keep gettin' harder
Yeah I think it's time
We all thank a farmer
Thank a farmer
A lot of folks like me still care about the FFA and county fairs
And the folks who really make this world go round
I'd like to thank a farmer
In James Wesley's song Thank a Farmer, the lyrics are a tribute to the hard work and perseverance of those who work the land. The song reminds us how much we owe to farmers, and how often we take for granted the abundance and convenience of our daily lives. From the fuel that fills our trucks to the food that fills our tables, the song stresses the importance of acknowledging the role that farmers play in sustaining our communities.
The lyrics also speak to the way that farming is intertwined with American identity and culture. The song celebrates the enduring image of the American farmer, with their hard work and faith in the land. By referencing the "amber waves of grain" and the "man on his knees praying for rain," the song evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, when the country was built by the hands of those who worked the fields. The song is a reminder that we all owe a debt of gratitude to those who continue this legacy.
Overall, Wesley's Thank a Farmer is a powerful tribute to the men and women who sustain us through their hard work and dedication to the land, and a reminder of how important it is to remember their contributions.
Line by Line Meaning
From the fuel that fills your truck
Don't overlook the contribution of farmers to the fuel that's used in your truck.
To the coffee in your cup
The coffee you drink in the morning also comes from the farmer's hard work.
Don't thank the corner store
The corner stores that sell farm produce mustn't take sole credit for it.
For that early morning rush
It's easy to forget this, but farmer's efforts ensure the availability of goods during the morning rush hour.
Thank a farmer
Rather, we should be grateful to the farmers for their continuous hard work.
I think back to that hayfield
The artist remembers a specific hayfield that bears significant memories for him.
Filled with girls and four-wheels
It was also a place where he met girls and rode four-wheelers.
Sneaking off with her for that first time
He has fond memories of sneaking off with one of these girls for the first time.
You can thank a farmer
All of these memories are possible only because of the hard work put in by farmers.
I still believe in amber waves of grain
The artist still deeply cherishes the quintessential symbol of American prosperity: amber waves of grain.
Man on his knees praying for rain
Farmers have to work harder than ever to stay resilient in the face of changing weather conditions.
That grew this country strong
Farmers were critical to the growth of America into the prosperous nation it is today.
And keep us moving on
Their work continues to be crucial to the nation, and in turn, to the world.
They get tougher as their lives keep gettin' harder
Despite these many challenges, their work remains as critical as ever.
Oh I think it's time
The artist believes that the time is right to recognize and honor the contributions of farmers.
We all thank a farmer
This is a call for all of us to thank the farmers, regardless of our backgrounds, lifestyles, or beliefs.
From the blacktop roads you ran
The roads that you take for granted, the same roads you travel every day, were once the land of farmers.
That used to be his land
Farmers sold their land for the sake of urbanization, but we mustn't forget their sacrifice.
To big cities and small towns
Farmers are the true builders of the big cities and small towns.
That he built with his two hands
All of the infrastructure we enjoy today, was built upon the hard work of farmers.
And for this shirt on my back
The cotton in our clothes is a product of the farmer’s hard work.
And these boots on my feet
Even the boots we wear every day are made from agricultural products.
And them tank top wearin' country girls
The women who wear tank tops, which might seem petty, are also beneficiaries of the farmer’s hard work.
And them old skin-tight bluejeans
The artist wants to help us recognize the small things in life, even skin-tight blue jeans.
I thank a farmer
They all want to emphasize that farmers deserve our thanks and gratitude.
A lot of folks like me still care about the FFA and county fairs
He mentions FFA and county fairs, indicating that his love and respect for farmers began when he was young.
And the folks who really make this world go round
Farmers and their hard work are the core of all human civilization.
I'd like to thank a farmer
In conclusion, the artist reiterates the importance of thanking and recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by farmers.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSH THOMPSON, STEVE BOGARD, DUSTIN LYNCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sheri Duff
My Dad is 74 and still farming. God bless and thank a farmer. Life is hard on them. There is no retirement plan for them. I love you Dad. Plus love this song, your voice is amazing!
Brandy Burke
tell him thank you for what has done
Caroline Franco
This song deserves by far more credit, it doesn't get any more real than this.. A big thank you and tribute to my granddaddy!
Patrick Sellers
Thank you for this song and video. I grew up around farms and country fairs in small town USA. I used to hunt in their fields each Fall and Winter. Now I'm up in Canada with my fiancee working on a dairy farm with 600 head of cattle. I start at 3:40 in the morning, have a break from 10-11:30, then go back till around 5 or 6, whenever I'm done for the day. Every single day, with just every other weekend off, 250-270 hrs a month. I milk 350 cows twice a day, raise the calves, take care of the dry cows, monitor the pregnant cows and heifers. I love what I do, and spend a lot of my free time trying to dispel myths and lies people spread on the internet.
Patrick Sellers
The hardest part for me other than the lack of sleep and making plans is watching the farmer on his down time hunting geese in the fields while I'm hauling milk, hay and bags of grain from the dairy to the calf barn and outdoor heifer hutches. I'm getting very jealous haha
Vulpor Vulp
Thank you to farmers and God who gave the Farmer his talent
Farmin' with Chevy Trucks
Awesome song, I just wish city folk would understand the hardwork it takes for that meal touch their table.
skyler harrell
@Daniel Parker and they still don’t realize the work it took to get there food to that sushi bar.
Taylor Washburn
@BrAD Strayer alallllllllllllllll0ol009al00pp0
Brandy Burke
right