Hello, my name is James Hamilton, but you can call me “Red". I have lived a big portion of my life in the Brush Creek area of Knox County and attended Artemus school for four years (by the way, Mrs. Girdner was the best teacher in the world).

I began playing music at eleven years-old and played my first show at Artemus school when I was thirteen! Now at the age of forty-seven, I have been teaching music for over ten years and playing professionally for three years. I helped to form the bluegrass group, Brush Creek Grass (1978-2003); then another band, The Cumberland Gap Connection (2003-2008). I departed the group due to medical reasons, but I still enjoy playing with my best friend Charlie Bays!

I now live in the Sharps Gap community of Barbourville with my wife, Mattie and five beagles. I love God, life and miss my parents, James & Carolyn Hamilton very much. I am looking forward to working with staff and students alike!