DIY
A major break for James and Lick 'n' Stick was when the band was asked to open for and back up Bo Diddley at the El Mocambo, during a week long engagement in 1973. Bo Diddley was impressed with the band. He took James under his wing giving him career advice and asked James to work with him to create the soundtrack of the feature-length movie, "'Diary of a Sinner"', Over subsequent years, Bo Diddley and Paul James played many engagements together, with Bo Diddley being considered by James as a major mentor. James was supported in his self-reliance to develop his career. James regarded the best career advice he received as coming from Bo Diddley. As James recalls, "Bo Diddley told me, 'don’t sign anything'. Bo taught me not to be afraid and to be independent. When I put out my own 45s, EPs, and LPs, Bo Diddley was right there saying, 'That's what to do. Don’t you be getting down on your knees to beg for a recording contract. Do it yourself!'"