Possessed By Paul James is the stage name of multi-instrumentalist Konrad Wert. He was raised Mennonite with Amish roots in the swamps of Immokalee, Florida and presently resides with his wife and son in the Hill Country of Texas.  Wert’s performances are so energetic that he could easily be mistaken for a small crowd. His songs are very honest. Not only are they completely personal and sincere, but they transcend identity and touch on the human condition.  “Possessed is just… possessed by experiences and family (Paul and Melvin James),” Wert says. ”…I connect with that, with the beauty of the brokenness, innocence and/or ugliness."
   PPJ has been around now since 2006 touring domestically and internationally while finding a balance between family and the opportunities of music.  "The goal is to be able to share and benefit both my family and those willing to listen.  That is a success in my opinion and thus far it seems to be working it's way out."
   In 2006 SYA Records of Milan, Italy pressed Wert's first LP 'Possessed by Paul James' followed by his first European tour.  In 2007 while touring overseas the Rev. Beatman of Voodoo Rhythm Records came to a PPJ show and liked what he heard and saw.  Thus in 2008 'Cold and Blind' was released, Wert's second album.  Presently we are awaiting PPJ's 3rd record, 'Feed the Family' this time with the intent of going completely independent, pressing both CD, LP and 7-inch.  
   Needless to say it has been a slow and steady road for the music of Possessed by Paul James.  As Wert likes to put it, "This isn't a race.  No one is coming in first or last, it's simply a marathon in the process of music and that feels best."



Grandfather Paul- Your real name is Konrad Wert, how come you call yourself Possessed By Paul James?

- "I use the names of my parents and grandparents. At the time it feels like I'm not alone or maybe pulling from them. My grandfather was named Paul (pictured) and my father's middle name is James."

- Describe the PPJ sound to the ones who haven’t heard you yet?

- "The sound is rooted in 'Roots' from blues, folk, punk, bluegrass and writing. I get wrapped up in it so it can take over."

- When did you start playing music?

- "In the church singin' real young. I started playing violin around the age of ten and the others followed."

- You had an Mennonite/Amish upbringing, in what way has that affected your music?

- "That gets asked a lot, but the thing was we were out of the communities growen up. My folks were mennonite with amish family way back in their lineage. It was a conservative as any church ran family where the pastor is the dad and mother the piano player. So, it all worked out."

[Excerpts from an interview by Christer Davidsson, MUTINYZINE.COM]



Possessed by Paul James has been touring out and about for 3 years now, including Holland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy with SYA Records and Voodoo Rhythm Records. Domestic touring includes: Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Idaho, North Dakota with more to come.

Most notably, PPJ has shared the stage with such artists as: T Model Ford, Cedric Burnside, Greg Graffin of Bad Religion, Black Diamond Heavies, Jeff Austin of Yonder Mountain String Band, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Drew Emmit of Left Over Salmon, Vince Herman of Left Over Salmon, Eric Mcfadden Trio, Bog Log III, Rev. Beat Man, Split Lip Rayfield, Scott H. Biram, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Ralph White of the Bad Livers, Red Hunter of Peter & the Wolf, The Meat Purveyors, The Weary Boys, The Dewayne Brothers, Harlan T. Bobo of Goner Records, The Oblivians, Tim Kerr of Poison 13, Left Lane Cruiser, The Dead Brothers and Black Joe Lewis.