James Bracken

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James C. Bracken was the co-owner and co-founder of Vee-Jay Records, along with his wife Vivian and her brother, Calvin Carter. As well as producing and releasing records through his label, Bracken also wrote some of the material to be recorded.

Bracken was born May 23, 1909 in Oklahoma and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He died in Chicago, Illinois on February 20, 1972, having lived there at least since 1944 when he met Vivian.

[edit] Songwriting

In the late 50s to early 60s, Bracken formed a casual writing partnership with influential blues singer John Lee Hooker, and together they wrote songs for Hooker to perfom and record. Some examples of this partnership include "Baby Lee", "Dimples", "Little Wheel" and "Kiss The Girls".

Probably the most widely recognized of Bracken's solo compositions is the instrumental track "Steppin' Out", which was covered by Eric Clapton while with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and later by Cream (of which Clapton was a part) in a 14 minute version released on their live album Live Cream Volume II.

Bracken also wrote "High and Lonesome", performed by Jimmy Reed, but the song was credited to Reed himself.