By JIMMY LAWTON

HERMON -- A Hermon man, with help from a West Potsdam software consultant, has created a website to honor his brother who died of brain cancer in 2012.

Richard Douglass is carrying on his sibling's musical legacy through a new website designed and published by Brad Clements of Murk Works Inc.

He said his brother James J. Douglass was a talented and deep musician whose songs should be shared with the world.

"I know it was important to my brother because he had this collection of songs he wrote over the course of 30 years," he said.

Douglass said many of his brother’s songs were professionally recorded and printed into albums, but it was not James' goal to become famous.

"He wrote music because he liked music. He didn't want to be a rock star, he just loved doing it," Douglass said.

Douglass said he and other family members agreed the music should be shared for free with the world, but weren't exactly sure the best way to do it. After some time, Douglass enlisted the help of a West Clements, who volunteered his time and skills to establish the website http://jamesjmusic.info/.

"Brad did it on a volunteer basis," he said. "He wouldn't take any money."

Clements, who is also a member of the West Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department, said it was the “natural” thing to do.

“It was no big deal. He wanted to do it and I had the tools and technology to help,” he said. “I think it’s a great testament to his brother and how much he cared for him.”

The website contains two full albums that can be streamed or downloaded for free.

It also features pictures of James and liner notes that were transcribed from the originals.

James, who grew up in the North Country before leaving the area, writes of his checkered past as well as his journey to success and spiritual growth.

James also writes of his battle with brain cancer, which eventually claimed his life. An excerpt of his writing follows:

"It was shortly after a serious brain surgery that the voices came back to me about this collection of songs that had been shelved for half a decade due to disillusionment with the music industry," James wrote. "People who had cared deeply about music advised me, 'It’s important that the world hear these songs.' Their refrain came to me amidst the clatter and unearthly silence of the intensive care unit, and I became determined to undertake the challenge – to put these songs out. As I struggled to learn to walk again, the resolve only strengthened to put aside the initiative-squashing scale of risk and reward, and this CD is the result of this resolve. I decided to light a small fire and send a few embers up into the night sky and see where they may land or take hold – hoping they could possibly bring some light to someone huddling in the dark."

James completed the music, but his family ensured that the world would have a chance to hear it.

"My brother really wanted to do it and he died before he got the job done," he said. "It was so important to him I felt like we had to make sure to get it out there."

Douglass said the site requires no login and all music is free to stream and download.

"My brother wasn't a big fan of the music industry. He thought it was in disarray. I think this is how he would have wanted it done," he said.

James was a graduate of the University of Rochester, who worked as an editor.

For more information visit http://jamesjmusic.info/.