James Russell Lauderdale was born on April 11, 1957 in Statesville, North Carolina to a Presbyterian minister and a choir instructor. He moved to Charlotte, North Carolina at the age of 5 with his parents and sister. After graduating from high school in Due West, South Carolina, Lauderdale went to the North Carolina School of Arts. In 1979, he moved to Nashville to pursue a country/bluegrass contract. Lauderdale has recently written many songs for many singers. Grammy winner of 2003 for Bluegrass.