Guy & Jr. Wells and was even asked to sit in with Muddy's band on the Matinee. James would then go back to the Bermuda and play a Muddy Water's song that he just watched Muddy play... Lick'n'Stick, Paul James, and Bo Diddley As of 1970, the house band at the Bermuda Tavern evolved into the band Lick'n Stick, led by James, and playing old rock and blues. During this time, James was Musical Director and composed the music for three musicals for Young People's Theatre. The first, Cyclone Jack, written by Carol Bolt about aboriginal marathon runner Tom Longboat, premiered in 1972. The other two plays to which James Musical Director and Composer were Mauriceabout Quebec Premier Maurice Dupessis (1975) and Finding Bumble (1975), both also written by Carol Bolt. All three plays were directed by Tim Bond. 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!'" Lick'n Stick obtained a record contract with Columbia Records in 1974. The label wanted the band to develop a musical style similar to that of the Bee Gees at the time, which James declined.The label released three singles by the band,1.'Take it Easy' by Paul James 2.A Rolling Stones cover of 'Under My Thumb' with Can't Do Nothing by Paul James on the flip side; and 3."Mary Ann" by Paul James(1975), Paul wrote Mary Ann and then after a visit to Jamaica changed its beat from a