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Kirk
James is solidly grounded in the Texas Blues tradition,
playing Ragtime, Texas Shuffles and funky grooves. His
unmistakable phrasing mixed with bottleneck slide conjures
images of T-Bone Walker, Elmore James and Lightning Hopkins.
A blues performer of 20 years, Kirk is known for his strong
blues guitar style and distinctive vocals. James plays both
original material and also classics from the Blues
Masters.
Growing up in Dallas, Texas, and listening to
such greats as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Reverend
Gary Davis, Kirk developed an interest in blues early in
life. A musician since the age of five, he recalls, "I grew
up in a musical family, it has always been a part of me. I
can't imagine living without music."
Currently residing in Durango, Colorado,
Kirk's touring schedule has seen him open for Clarence
'Gatemouth' Brown, John Hammond, Richie Havens, Johnny
'Clyde' Copeland and Francine Reed. Kirk has received
international recognition throughout Australia, Belgium,
Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway,
The Czech Republic, and Yugoslavia. In 1998 he won the
Telluride Blues Contest in Colorado.
Then in 1999 Kirk performed as the Betweener
Act at the 1999 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. This
gave him the opportunity to play on the same stage as
Charlie Musselwhite, Hot Tuna, Derek Trucks, Roy Rodgers,
Buddy Miles and Alvin Youngblood Hart as well as other acts
during the three day festival.
Kirk's interest as a motorcycle enthusiast has
brought him to perform for motorcycle clubs, rallies and
events in Colorado and the Southwest region.
Following rave reviews of his 1995 CD
"Backdoor Boogie," Kirk released his second recording, "The
Way It Goes," in 1998. Featuring 10 original songs, as well
as a few standards, "The Way It Goes" signals Kirk's
position as a blues singer/songwriter in the tradition of
Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo'. Cadence Review of Jazz and Blues
calls it "a set of alternately playful and intense acoustic
blues."
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