James Gates is Canadian folk songwriter with a new release telling a story of his grandfather’s WWII experience as a bomber pilot. The song is titled ‘Keep it in the Sky’ and the single and music video was released digitally October 26 2020, in time for Remembrance Day. 

Keep it in the Sky takes the listener on a journey soaring over the English Channel in search of an enemy ship. It is a WWII story of Saskatchewan's Roy Gates on a dive-bombing mission. The song was inspired by the entries in his pilot logbook and is written from the point of view of his grandfather, the dive-bombing pilot. 

The song was written by James Gates (Regina) and produced by Bob Funk (Nashville), both grandsons of pilot Roy Gates. It was mixed by James Bunton (Donovan Woods, David Myles) and mastered by Heather Kirby. The music video (Crushed Rockets) features rare WWII footage of an Air Force squadron flying Albacores on a mission just as Roy did. 

Born and raised in Nipawin Saskatchewan, James attended the University of Saskatchewan and is a professional engineer who designs and delivers energy efficiency programs. His passion for energy conservation and the environment has connected him with other Saskatchewan songwriters through the Songs for Nature program. This collaboration with local songwriters, as well as support from SaskMusic and the Regina Regional Songwriters Group, has fostered Gates' focus on telling stories that connect with his audience through songs. 

Gates' debut album 'Plans' (2019) was on the long list of the Best Saskatchewan Albums of 2019 which has been receiving airplay on CBC radio and community radio stations across Canada. The title track Plans reflects a balance between hurt and hope when dealing with health challenges. Sung over an acoustic guitar and an earthy rhythm section, Plans connected with judges in the International Songwriting Competition (2019 ), placing it in the semi-finals. Gates was also a bronze level winner in Music City Songstar.