Album Notes

Kirk James is solidly grounded in the Country Blues tradition, playing Ragtime, Piedmont Blues, and Texas Shuffles from the 1920's to the present. His intricate fingerpicking and bottleneck slide conjures images of Mississippi John Hurt and John Hammond. A blues player for over 20 years known for his strong blues guitar style and distinctive vocals. Kirk plays both original material as well as 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, Slovenia, The Czech Republic, and Yugoslavia and won the 1998 Telluride Blues Contest in Colorado. As one of the founders of the Durango Blues Society, Kirk was instrumental in DBS's first three years as an organization.

Kirk's interest as a motorcycle enthusiast has brought him to perform for motorcycle clubs, rallies and events in Southwest Colorado.

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." 

Kirk was the 1998 Winner of the Telluride Blues Contest.