‘I GOT TO RIDE THE WAVE’
He blew up on TikTok and got signed by Sony. This Baton
TBY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer
eenage singer-songwriter
Noah James crafts music from his childhood bedroom in Prairieville. His instruments, including a few guitars, line the wall next to his sticker-covered closet door
James is a TikTok-viral, 18-yearold Baton Rouge native who has already made a name for himself in the country music industry He just got signed by Sony-owned Santa Anna Records in December 2024, based in Nashville, and released his first EP, “The Tracks,” with six songs.
“In my mind, I thought this was going to come five years from now,” James said about getting signed. “Never thought at 17 that this would ever even be possible.”
After posting videos of his raw vocals and guitar strumming for three years, James has climbed to almost 300,000 followers on TikTok. He’s most known for his covers of country singer Zach Bryan and his poetic lyrics about love.
In Prairieville, his favorite place to write from is his room.
“If I come in here and play, then I’m walking around and playing,”
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
time to experiment with music.
“One thing we do with homeschooling is we want to nurture each of them wherever their talents lay,” said James’ mother, Tiany Davis. “We knew that we wanted to support him in it, but he really did it all on his own.”
James said he started taking music seriously at age 15, the same time when he started to post videos on TikTok. He taught himself how to play the guitar, and it didn’t take long for his first video to go viral in March 2024 when he covered
“Burn, burn, burn” by Zach Bryan. The video has over 150,000 views.
“I got to ride the wave with this,”
James said he thought to himself after seeing the success of his video.
In December 2024, he covered another Zach Bryan song that almost has 4 million likes, nearly half of the overall 8.5 million likes on his account. By the time he hit 10,000 followers, he was already skyrocketing to 20,000 followers.
he said.
TikTok fame
James grew up in Prairieville and was constantly around music. His father was a professional jazz player, and being homeschooled with his brothers gave James even more
Hundreds of Donaldsonville residents received free medical, vision
“I was just posting on TikTok, having fun, just writing songs and hoping someone will like them,” James said.
So when Santa Ana Records contacted him in September 2024 with
ä See JAMES, page 2G
STAFF PHOTOS BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Noah James plays a song in the backyard of his home in Prairieville
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
screenings and prescription glasses are provided Saturday during
Love Impact Coalition free medical clinic in Donaldsonville.
Red, White & Youth school kickoff Sept. 20
VFW Post 3693 is hosting Red, White & Youth, an AllAmerican School Kickoff from 10 a.m to 1 p.m Sept 20 at the post hall, 42430 Churchpoint road, Gonzales
The free event will include activities, prizes, food, contests, scholarships and community vendors. For more information, email vdw3693@gmail.com.
Yoga with kittens
Cara’s House is planning a kitty yoga program fundraiser and animal rescue awareness program on Sept 27.
The animal shelter is teaming up with Reform Fitness for Yoga with Kittens, starting at 9:45 a.m. Early registration is encouraged at https://clients. mindbodyonline.com/classic/ mainclass?.fl=true&tabID=7.
Jurassic Quest roars in
Jurassic Quest is coming to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center Sept. 19-21.
The event features dinosaur displays, rides and a life-sized T. rex skull.
For tickets, visit https:// www.jurassicquest.com/ events/3WDR8F
Text your questions to (844) DINO-411 or (844) 346-6411. Roundtable names speaker
Tommy Faucheux, president of Louisiana Midcontinent Oil and Gas Association, will be the featured speaker at the September Ascension GOP Roundtable sponsored by Ascension Republican Women, set for 11:30 a.m. Sept 18 at the Clarion Inn, 1500 W. Highway 30, Gonzales.
Faucheux, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations with a minor in political science from Loyola University in New Orleans, has experience in management of state government affairs and policy matters.
The lunch is $30 and those not eating pay a $5 room fee. Guests can preregister at paypal.me/ARW225 or with Venmo. To RSVP, call (225) 921-5187 or email ARWrUS@ aol.com.
Cancer awareness program planned
Community Sisterhood is planning a Cancer Awareness Month event from 3 5 p.m Oct. 13 at Progressive Baptist Church, 36093 La. 73, Geismar
Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate. com. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday
JAMES
an offer, James and his family and friends were ecstatic.
Poetic lyrics piqued an interest
James didn’t grow up listening to country music. When he began his mission to find his voice, he drew inspiration from pop musicians like Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes and Ed Sheeran.
“I’m going to be honest, pop music was not working,” James said with a laugh. “So I got more into Noah Kahan. That’s when I found out about Zach Bryan.”
James fell deeper into country and folk music, discovering musicians like Tyler Childers, Morgan Wallen and most significantly, Zach Bryan. Poetic lyrics piqued James’ interest, he said, which happens to be a lot of Zach Bryan’s discography
Another inspiration is “The Notebook,” a film adaptation set in 1940s South Carolina following two lovers with unapproving parents, and James was actually named after the main character, Noah.
Noah James sings with a harmonica around his neck while playing an unreleased song at his home in Prairieville.
“Noah and Ally, they both lived different lives,” he said. “She lives a more rich and privileged life, while he lives a more poor [life], and you got to work for everything.”
It took James until he was 16 years old to watch the movie, and it immediately became his favorite romance movie. And it motivated the lyrics behind his song “The Tracks,” a song he wrote with his older brother Micah and Micah’s girlfriend.
When it comes to experimenting with sound, James is eager to implement different instruments in his music, like the banjo and fiddle. He just learned how to play the harmonica and was quick to
feature it in the intro of “Set Free.”
“I got it for Christmas and been trying my best on that,” he said.
Next steps, live performances
When James sets foot on stage, he says his nerves instantly vanish when he starts to sing.
James flies to Nashville about every month, where his record label is based. He’s performed at several venues and remembers the first time, in March at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, when the fans in the crowd began to sing his own songs
along with him.
“It’s the best feeling ever,” James said. “The dopamine rush from that is stronger than anything, especially when they start singing the same song with you.”
Food, family and culture remain important to James.
“I’m a big nature guy,” he said.
“I think the nature around me has influenced me a lot. The people, the culture.”
He admires Louisiana-born musicians who still connect themselves to the state despite hitting fame, like Lainey Wilson and Tim McGraw James loves where he grew up, regularly eating jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish when in season.
In Baton Rouge, James is set to perform at 7 p.m. Sept. 18, at The Station Sports Bar and Grill, 4608 Bennington Ave. The show is free to attend, but customers must be 18 years or older to attend.
His EP includes six songs: n “Set Free” n “Love Run Cold” n “Same Old Things” n “The Tracks” n “Kind Tired Eyes” Music is a language that everyone speaks, James said, and he wants people to know they’re not alone. He hopes his music can bring people together “God gave me the gift of music,” James said. “And I’m doing music to inspire and bring a little hope to the world.”
RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125
STAFF PHOTOS BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
With his other 2 guitars lying around, Noah James admires his first guitar, which he received as a Christmas gift 3 years ago.
FILE PHOTO BY APRIL BUFFINGTON
St. Amant quarterback Cooper Babin looks for an open teammate against East Ascension during a 2024 match
its win. Donaldsonville put up 37 points in its win. Ascension Christian notched 40 points in their victory
Ascension Christian gives Gayle his first victory
The Lions beat Central Private 40-28 behind QB Leron McDowell’s arm and legs. First year head coach Conrad Gayle was excited to see his team earn a hard-fought victory
“A great team win, so proud of our team, especially our veterans, they are good leaders. McDowell passed for 179 yards and rushed for 109 yards with four touchdowns. Wide receiver Preston LeBlanc had a big day with three touchdowns
Kason Tanner had nearly 100 yards of total offense and a touchdown The Lions gave up an early
touchdown to Central Private but were never rattled according to coach Gayle.
“Our guys didn’t get rattled, they stuck with the game plan, trusted our preparation. The message from the start has been to control what you can control, we can learn from the past, the coaching staff will prepare for the future,” Gayle said.
The defense made some big plays when needed and Gayle appreciated the plan and the effort.
“Our defensive staff had an outstanding game plan prepared. Cade Buratt, Luke Denton, Jayse LeBlanc and Gage Mixon were huge leaders on defense. The entire unit was dialed into the plan.
Getting his first victory as a new head coach is satisfying, but seeing the excitement from his team made it even more special.
“Proud of the unity of this team, the lion nation showed up and supported us. Thanks to our cheerleaders, drumline and fans, it was great to see the smiles on their faces,” the coach said.
Other scores
St.Amant 60- 56 over Cecilia: QB Cooper Babin passed for 401, rushed for 149 and accounted for eight touchdowns. He is one of the top QB’s in the 2026 class in Louisiana.
East Ascension 50-44 over Salmen: Dawson Landry led the defense with eight tackles and had a pick six. Tight end Brysten Martinez had four receptions for 42 yards and two scores. Coach Brock Matherne was happy to get the win.
“Proud of our guys playing together and finding a way to win the game. We must be better coming out of halftime if we are going to compete in this district. I am proud of the effort as they stared adversity in the face and found a way to win,” Matherne said.
Dutchtown 44-13 over Ponchatoula: Quarterback Owen Fletcher led the way for the Griffins to get a win. The Griffins rebounded in week two after losing to a really good Madison Prep team in week
1. Donaldsonville 37-14 over Port Allen to move to 2-0 under coach Darnell Lee. The last full season the Tigers started out 2-0 was 2021 when they started 6-0 on the season. Prairieville 21-14 over Parkview: The Hurricanes lost to Parkview 53-13 last season, what a turnaround. They continue to get better each week, watch out in district, they will surprise a team or two. The defense looks to be the strong point so far.
Other scores Loreauville 41-21 over Ascension Catholic
WEEK 3 GAMES
Friday: n Dutchtown (1-1) hosts Collegiate BR n EA (1-1) hosts Sam Houston n Prairieville (1-1) at Riverside n St. Amant (2-0) hosts JF Kennedy n Donaldsonville (2-0) hosts West St. John n Ascension Catholic (1-1) at St.
Quarterback Leron McDowell, of Ascension Christian, led the Lions offense to give coach Conrad Gayle his
Aquinas
Officer Shelton Anthony organized Saturday’s free medical clinic at the Lemann Memorial Community Center
CLINIC
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400-500 per event, Collin-Lewis said.
“We have a goal of offering four free clinics per year, and this year, we’ve already had six,” Collins-Lewis said. “We have hundreds of volunteers and doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists. We have had the same dentists who have volunteered with us for years.” West Ascension Parish Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Anastasia Montgomery said the Donaldsonville event was needed by the community
“A lot of people can’t afford medical care, and it’s been amazing, and we’ve been blessed with having so many volunteers,” Montgomery said. “To me, it proves services are needed and what better way to provide them than this free clinic.
“We hope more people realize the impact and blessings they offer through volunteering and bring their talents and services to the community This warms my heart, and if I could do this every day, I would.”
The successful event was one that Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan hopes will launch a continuing partnership between the city, Love Impact Coalition and West Ascension Parish Hospital
“This is truly amazing and overwhelming to have all of these volunteers and support here,” Sullivan said. “All of this is being offered in the city of Donaldsonville today I arrived before 5:30 a.m. this morning and there were already people here lined up waiting for the doors to open. Could not have asked for anything better.”
West Ascension Parish Hospital Chief Executive Officer Shelton Anthony said the event proved Ascension Parish residents are interested in taking charge of their health
“We were very surprised at the amount of people that attended,” Anthony said “That shows there is a need in this community for medical services.”
The hospital, located on Memorial Drive in Donaldsonville, offers emergency and cardiology care, lab services and imaging. Anthony said the hospital has many events planned for breast cancer awareness in October For more information about Love Impact Coalition, visit www.loveimpactcoalition.org.
‘Griffins Rolling Down the Bayou’ is theme for Dutchtown homecoming
“Griffins Rolling Down the Bayou” is the theme of Spirit Week activities for Dutchtown High’s homecoming, set for Sept. 15-19.
A parade is set for Sept. 19, which starts at 6 p.m. before the homecoming football game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. The court will be presented, and the queen will be crowned at halftime.
Festivities end Sept. 20 with the homecoming dance and crowning of the Homecoming king.
The Dutchtown High Homecoming Court includes, seated from left, Catherine Book and Hannah Hernandez and standing, Carmi Burnett, Claire Campagna and Imani Steib
Dutchtown High’s Homecoming Court includes, seated, Vivian Cayton and standing from left, Khloe Carr, Deanne Melancon and Olivia Henderson.
PROVIDED PHOTOS TIM BABIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Named to the Dutchtown High Homecoming Court seated from left, are Lexie Broussard and Olivia Sedotal and standing Sophia Magee, Jillian Orgeron and Lily Vidrine.
Donna Collins-Lewis, founder of Love Impact Coalition, left, and West Ascension Parish Hospital Chief Executive
The Love Impact Coalition’s free medical clinic offered a slew of medical care services Saturday in Donaldsonville including vision exams; dental cleanings, extractions, and fillings; medical screenings for sexually transmitted infections and colon cancer; and maternal and general health information.
Hundreds of people receive free medical, vision and dental screenings Saturday during the Love Impact Coalition clinic in Donaldsonville.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Dental patients receive care Saturday during the Love Impact Coalition free medical clinic in Donaldsonville.
