James is a frequent contributor to March Xness, an annual March Madness style single-elimination tournament pairing essays and songs.
2020 – “I Seek to Cure What’s Deep Inside: Voyage to the Heart of the Internet with Toto’s Africa” for March Badness (worst 64 songs to reach the Billboard Top 5, 1970-1989)
2019 – Essay on “Reptile” by The Church for March Vladness (the tournament of Goth music)
2018 – Essay on “Wait” by White Lion and on reluctant rock star turned Staten Island recluse Vito Bratta for March Shredness (the tournament of Hair Bands)