Hey friends, my name is James Monroe, I am a singer songwriter originally from Montreal and I live in Los Angeles, California. My music revolves around alternative and classic rock and I love to integrate classical instruments like cello, violin and flute in my songs. I am inspired by artists like The Beatles, Radiohead, Andrea Bocelli, Led Zeppelin, Rufus Wainwright, and Lana Del Rey.

My life and music took a major turn on November 26, 2017, when a family member left my son River unattended in the bathtub and he drowned. River was only 14 months old. His heart stopped but he was reanimated at the hospital. Due to the lack of oxygen to his brain, River suffered a brain injury and the doctors painted a bleak picture, asking me to let him go, saying River would never open his eyes again. I refused because I have such a strong spiritual connection with River and I knew our adventure was only beginning.

I spent a few years camping out at the hospital with River, massaging and stimulating his body, and telling him about all the great things we were going to do together. I brought my piano, guitar and flute in the hospital room and played for him every day. After a few months, River began to move one of his toes and in the weeks that followed began to open his eyes slightly. It felt like a miracle. Every week, I see new changes in River and more communication between the two of us.

River is now 9 years old, he has made so much progress and he can now stand and walk with my help. He still has challenges like a tracheostomy to help him breathe and a gtube so he can eat, but he is excited about life. River holds the drumsticks in his hands when we play drums, sits on my lap when I sing and play piano and he is part of the recording process and live concerts.

I am currently working on an album and a movie about River’s life and these songs are the first ones I am releasing as a solo artist. We are currently planning a tour of house concerts across the US. If you want to learn more about River’s story and see the inspiration behind my music, you can find River’s journey at heartswithriver.com and you can find me at jamesmonroe.com.

I am so grateful for your prayers, your thoughts, and your support of my music to help fund River’s therapy journey. Thank you for being on this incredible adventure of healing with us and I can’t wait to play some songs for you live!