| James Payton |
James always seen himself on stage...he was a natural born leader with an imaginative mind.
James is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. where he attended both grade school and high school. He
would work jobs as he attended school as a way to support his family.
After graduating high school, he continued his education at Peirce University which he earned a
Bachelor degree in Communications. James passion has always been wanting to speak as a
Master of Ceremonies. In an effort to go after his passion, he would visit several clubs to possibly
earn a position as a M.C.
As a M.C. he also studied the art of dressing men for success and landed the name "Fashion
Plate Payton." It can never be said that Mr. Payton was not dressed to impress. He allowed his
character to shine thru his fashion apparel and his classic style speaks volumes about his
character. This unique talent led James to working with children in the inner city by volunteering
his time on Saturday mornings at the local YMCA and other organizations.
He began his career as an emcee at a club in Philadelphia where he was known as the Highline
working for Sid Booker who owned several clubs. This led to working with groups including the
Stylistics, Blue Magic, Stevie Wonder, The O’Jays, Tedd Pendergrass, Billy Paul and many others
in the Philadelphia area. While working for First Pa. Bank, as a collection agent, during his stay at
the bank he went to Spain to play basketball for the International Sports on gold medal winning
banks. As an avid sports person, he tried out for the Conn Reds in 1962. He left Philadelphia in
1979 and relocated to L.A. to pursue a career in acting as well as working as an emcee.
James landed a job as Valet and emcee for the 5th Dimension and The legendary Frank Sinatra
during his years as he did what he loved the most: traveling the world and meeting different
people from different walks of life. His reputation grew as an emcee and his skills grew even
more spectacular. This led to working stages including famed Apollo in New York, Carnegie Hall
and Radio City Hall. It was at the Apollo Theater were the God father of Soul James Brown said to
Payton WOW I am totally impressed with your voice and stage presence. I do not know who is
better you or Danny Ray (James’s Brown Emcee). Danny Ray himself gave Payton his props and
said you are incredible!
His biggest feat was when he worked with The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, Jackson Five, and
Blue Magic at Radio City Hall. However, James most accomplished to date is when he emceed in
London, England at the world's famous Royal Albert Hall with Frank Sinatra, Pat Henry and The
Fifth Dimension. It was a command performance in front of The Queen of England and seated in
the audience, was Sammy Davis Jr., Roger Moore, Elton John and Ava Gardner, to name a few.
James has worked every famed stage in the U.S. and several overseas such as South America,
Paris, and Holland.
In 1979, James moved to Las Vegas working there as an emcee with the 5th Dimension mostly at
the Rivera and Caesars Palace Hotel. Las Vegas opened up great opportunities for James. When
he was not dedicating his time and talent to a show, he worked in the time share industry as a
salesman. He was the first African American sales person at that time in the industry becoming
the top sales person for two years in the Western region. He soon became the first African
American entertainment director in Las Vegas working at the Stardust Hotel where he worked for
10 years.
James spent his days working selling time share and his nights at the Stardust. This led to a
position as a host in the showroom at the Maxim Hotel.
Later he became the Marketing Director and the Entertainment Director at the Aladdin Hotel.
While in this position he was able to book acts such as the O'Jays, and The Whispers which he
also emceed the shows.
James made history again in Las Vegas, Nevada by becoming the first African American ring
announcer for boxing events.
.
In 2008, James moved to Chicago, IL He currently emcee for various organizations and charity
events here in Chicago.
James is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. where he attended both grade school and high school. He
would work jobs as he attended school as a way to support his family.
After graduating high school, he continued his education at Peirce University which he earned a
Bachelor degree in Communications. James passion has always been wanting to speak as a
Master of Ceremonies. In an effort to go after his passion, he would visit several clubs to possibly
earn a position as a M.C.
As a M.C. he also studied the art of dressing men for success and landed the name "Fashion
Plate Payton." It can never be said that Mr. Payton was not dressed to impress. He allowed his
character to shine thru his fashion apparel and his classic style speaks volumes about his
character. This unique talent led James to working with children in the inner city by volunteering
his time on Saturday mornings at the local YMCA and other organizations.
He began his career as an emcee at a club in Philadelphia where he was known as the Highline
working for Sid Booker who owned several clubs. This led to working with groups including the
Stylistics, Blue Magic, Stevie Wonder, The O’Jays, Tedd Pendergrass, Billy Paul and many others
in the Philadelphia area. While working for First Pa. Bank, as a collection agent, during his stay at
the bank he went to Spain to play basketball for the International Sports on gold medal winning
banks. As an avid sports person, he tried out for the Conn Reds in 1962. He left Philadelphia in
1979 and relocated to L.A. to pursue a career in acting as well as working as an emcee.
James landed a job as Valet and emcee for the 5th Dimension and The legendary Frank Sinatra
during his years as he did what he loved the most: traveling the world and meeting different
people from different walks of life. His reputation grew as an emcee and his skills grew even
more spectacular. This led to working stages including famed Apollo in New York, Carnegie Hall
and Radio City Hall. It was at the Apollo Theater were the God father of Soul James Brown said to
Payton WOW I am totally impressed with your voice and stage presence. I do not know who is
better you or Danny Ray (James’s Brown Emcee). Danny Ray himself gave Payton his props and
said you are incredible!
His biggest feat was when he worked with The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, Jackson Five, and
Blue Magic at Radio City Hall. However, James most accomplished to date is when he emceed in
London, England at the world's famous Royal Albert Hall with Frank Sinatra, Pat Henry and The
Fifth Dimension. It was a command performance in front of The Queen of England and seated in
the audience, was Sammy Davis Jr., Roger Moore, Elton John and Ava Gardner, to name a few.
James has worked every famed stage in the U.S. and several overseas such as South America,
Paris, and Holland.
In 1979, James moved to Las Vegas working there as an emcee with the 5th Dimension mostly at
the Rivera and Caesars Palace Hotel. Las Vegas opened up great opportunities for James. When
he was not dedicating his time and talent to a show, he worked in the time share industry as a
salesman. He was the first African American sales person at that time in the industry becoming
the top sales person for two years in the Western region. He soon became the first African
American entertainment director in Las Vegas working at the Stardust Hotel where he worked for
10 years.
James spent his days working selling time share and his nights at the Stardust. This led to a
position as a host in the showroom at the Maxim Hotel.
Later he became the Marketing Director and the Entertainment Director at the Aladdin Hotel.
While in this position he was able to book acts such as the O'Jays, and The Whispers which he
also emceed the shows.
James made history again in Las Vegas, Nevada by becoming the first African American ring
announcer for boxing events.
.
In 2008, James moved to Chicago, IL He currently emcee for various organizations and charity
events here in Chicago.
