Trevecca Chief Security Officer turns life stories into music

By: Jasmin Enriquez Martinez

Features Editor

While patrolling a vandalized cemetery at night, something caught James Hambrick’s eye. A man stood under a tree with a weapon in his hand, ready to end his life. Instead of questioning him, Hambrick stopped to listen.

That moment would inspire Hambrick, Trevecca’s chief security officer, to write the songs “Talk About It Now,” featuring his granddaughter Erin Shark for his gospel country album “Somebody’s Gotta Tell Them.” 

The album tells real stories from his law enforcement career.

“People are going through those difficult times and maybe contemplating suicide, and just talk about it now, talk to somebody,” said Hambrick. “So that song right there means a lot.”

Hambrick, who retired as chief of Mount Juliet police and became Trevecca’s chief security officer in 2023,  collaborated to write his first album with Nashville songwriter Don Poythress, who earned multiple music award nominations, and worked with artists such as Willie Nelson.

He also worked with Leslie Satcher, a Nashville singer-songwriter.

After meeting with Poythress and Satcher on several rainy Wednesdays at a studio at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee, Hambrick wrote his first song for the album, “Rainy Wednesday.”

“She [Leslie Satcher] and her husband and everybody at the studio, you know, we met and we collaborated with them,” said Hambrick.

The album took several months to make, said Hambrick.

Hambrick has performed his music at concerts and has done a CD signing for his album release.

Terrence Schofield, associate provost of mission excellence and reconciliation, attended one of Hambrick’s performances.

“He’s Charley Pride and Johnny Cash all in one hybrid,” said Schofield.

“Small Town Big Problems” stood out to Schofield the most, the second track from Hambrick’s album.

“He knows how to relate and connect to people with real-life stuff and stuff that he’s been going through,” said Schofield.

On July 11, 2022, the Mt. Juliet Board of Commissioners unanimously made “Community Strong” the official city song, according to the Wilson Post.

“Community Strong” is the sixth track off of “Somebody’s Gotta Tell Them.”

“We’ve been blessed,” said Hambrick. “I didn’t think about that or didn’t look for that, but it’s been good. God’s been good.”

In the future, Hambrick wants to collaborate with his brother, who does gospel music, when there’s time.

“I’m just a servant and just thank God for the opportunity to do [this], because I love music,” said Hambrick.

Hambrick’s music is available on streaming platforms.