Jim James Announces Memoir One Wonders

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James has announced One Wonders, his first memoir, which will delve into the singer-songwriter’s upbringing in Louisville, the pitfalls of being a full-time musician, and his descent into and recovery from alcoholism and depression. It’s out April 13 on Simon & Schuster.

“If nothing else, I hope the main thing someone takes away from this book (aside from learning more about the joys and challenges of being a working artist and musician) is that it’s okay to ask for help,” James wrote in a heartfelt statement, which you can read in full below. “Everyone is going through some sort of challenge in this crazy world. IT IS POSSIBLE to find your way out of darkness and despair, and begin to enjoy the subtle, beautiful, everyday victories of simply being alive.”

In August, James premiered Wowed Out, his first solo album in eight years. He’ll be supporting it with a quick tour before the end of the year, kicking off with a hometown set in November; the full slate is listed below.

Jim James: One Wonders

Jim James:
11-28 Louisville, KY – Kentucky Performing Arts Brown Theatre
12-01 Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre (SOLD OUT)
12-03 New York, NY – The Town Hall (SOLD OUT)
12-06 Boston, MA – Wilbur Theatre
12-08 Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater (SOLD OUT)
12-11 Glendale, CA – Glendale Presbyterian Church

Hello, friends! I am releasing a memoir!

Why? Why write this book? Why now?

As I’ve made good progress in therapy over the last five or six years, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on finding my voice- both as a singer, songwriter and musician, and as a person wandering the earth wondering…

what do I really want to SAY with my life overall?

As I reflect on my own musical journey (from first learning to play the guitar to creating music in the present day) and navigating the complexities of life in general, I have been thinking a lot about my elders. For so many of them, tradition was to never speak about yourself. You carried your victories and failures, your joys and horrors, quietly.

A thought kept making its way into my mind: wouldn’t things be lighter for all of us if we shared more with other people?

I feel like it’s our generation’s job to tear down those walls and share our triumphs and horrors.

When we do, we’ll find that we’re all walking around with the same things inside of us, the good and the bad.

It helps so much when we can find a way to let them out together, so that we can all begin to move toward a more peaceful and love-centered existence.

As if it WANTED this to happen and was WILLING it to happen, the Universe stepped in and began to line up the things I needed to write this book, bring it to life, and ACTUALLY PUBLISH it. And I began to realize its purpose:

Perhaps if I illustrated my journey, and how I began to deal with my own struggles with mental health, it could help people take a step toward getting out of their own darkness and depression.

If nothing else, I hope the main thing someone takes away from this book (aside from learning more about the joys and challenges of being a working artist and musician) is that it’s okay to ask for help. Everyone is going through some sort of challenge in this crazy world. IT IS POSSIBLE to find your way out of darkness and despair, and begin to enjoy the subtle, beautiful, everyday victories of simply being alive.

One Wonders will be available April 13, 2027 in hardcover and ebook, and as an audiobook, which I'll be reading. Additionally, Carmichael's Bookstore in Louisville will have autographed copies that you can preorder now.