Cheerful Givers Big Birthday Bash!

C heerful Givers Big Birthday Bash
Sunday, April 20 (1-3 pm)
Mall of America Rotunda

Proclaimed as “Cheerful Givers Day” throughout Minnesota by Governor Pawlenty

* Brian Turner (BT) of Cities 97 Radio as Master of Ceremonies
* Entertainment by singer/guitarist Jeff James
* See the Minnesota RollerGirls take on the Minnesota Thunder soccer players in collecting donations
* Ragnar, Minnesota Vikings Mascot (and only “human” mascot in professional sports)
* Silent Auction * Smiley cupcakes * Face painting * Fun games * Coloring contest * Fun prizes
* Minnesota Twins Representative
* Photos with Shrimp Louie from Bubba Gump Restaurant

Free Song Download "Home to You"!!

O ver the past several months I've had requests for copies of Driving Music 3 (which is currently out of print) I've come to realize that this is not my best work and I'm not comfortable putting it out on the market for 'new ears' as it doesn't represent me much as I am today. I've decided to start making some of the songs available as free download. The most requested is "Home to You (the New London Song) is now available for free on the CD's Page!

DVD Release Party June 29th Bayside Grille, Excelsior!

T he Release of "Take in the Fall" is here. Friday June 29th at Bayside will be the official release party! Show starts at 9pm. Show up for free prizes and other specials going on throughout the evening. Volunteers are needed so contact us at jeffjamesmanagement (at ) comcast.net if you'd like to be involved. There will be a 2nd DVD Release party at O'Neil's in Spicer on Friday, July 13th as well so some don't have to drive 2 hours to get there. Take in the Fall will be available at Amazon.com on June 29th.

10 Videos now on YouTube!

T here are now 10 videos on YouTube of Jeff James Performances 6 of which specifically feature me using the new Loop Station. You can see a mix clip with several songs or clips of "Hotel California", "Handyman", Bad Leroy Brown", and a few others. If you can, please take some time look them over and post a few comments! Click to Go There!

Sneek Preview of the new DVD!!

T he new DVD "Take in the Fall" is completed and is awaiting duplication. The big wait is completion of funds to get it done. I am shooting for a DVD release party on June 29th at Bayside Grille. I've posted the full song "Mississippi Red" from the DVD including a brief intro to the song on my videos page - courtesy of YouTube.

The Boss RC-50 joins the show!

I Usually wouldn't bring up something like this but I'm too excited to let it slide. I've added something new to the show and can't wait to try it out. I bought a Boss RC-50 and have had it for about 3 days. No ordinary pedal. During the shows I'll be able to simulate 2 different guitars at the same time- allowing me to play lead over rhythm chords. In certain songs I'll be able to add harmony. For those who have heard "Shower the People" the ending won't seem so empty anymore. All of this will be live and not pre-recorded. See you at the next show!

Jeff James "Take in the Fall" to air on TV in Dec

For those of you who came out last fall to the NWCT studio to participate in the show - you've probably been wondering "Well when is it going to air?" It's finally finished. The show has been edited with some interview material added in and some of the audience comments as well. Some of you know that I'm an at home Dad with 2 kids (to which some of you may reply "that's cool - you can do whatever you want!) *pause here while the rest of us stop laughing* Debbie went back to work in January and everything went into slow motion. James is now 1 so we've worked some days out to work on editing so after some 36 hours of editing work the show is ready for airing. Those of you who get channel 20 you can catch it as of now Tue Dec 12th at 10pm Wed Dec 13th 10am and 4pm Sat Dec 16th 7pm Sun Dec 17th 7am and 1pm Barb Nolan of NWCT (Who's been just awesome!) has also informed me she's given it to Metro 6, Stillwater, and Blaine. The more info I get I'll post the times on the Web Site. For those of you who remember "Holiday '04 with Jeff James" it will be airing so far on CH 19 Dec 5th at 11pm and Dec 6th at 5am 11am and 5pm.

Two Hands is now available on iTunes

If your main source of buying music these days is iTunes and you're a Jeff James fan start getting excited! Recently the album "Two Hands" has been added to Apple's iTunes Music Store. So what are you waiting for? Go out and download those songs!!!

Americana Music Conference 2006 - Nashville, TN

Man it was nice to be back in Nashville. I'm still more comfortable in Nashville than anyplace on earth when I'm an artist. I was surprised and thrilled to see so many friends I'd left behind. The Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar will always be my home there. Past memories aside - this week has been great (Where do I sign up for next year?) I attended as many panels as I could - my particular 2 favorites were Music Marketing For Americana Artists and 10 Most Important Rules of Publicity. My award goes to Kissy Black of Lotus Nile for being the most outstanding panelist of the conference. Kissy comes through with such enthusiam and passion for her work that I think it rubs off on those around her. When you see a performer singing and playing with all of their heart you get an idea of how Kissy is with the work she does and her dedication to the artists she works with..
My favorite performance (although it was steep competition) was the SESAC Writer's Round featuring and intimate show with Jim Lauderdale, Dana Cooper, Kevin Welch, Hayes Carll, and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Hayes Carll having made the biggest impression among these talented songwriters - buying the CD's when I get home. Also Darrell Scott was a great show at the Cannery Ballroom, Mountain Heart - a stunning bluegrass band, Tom Gillam's Tractor Pull (But No CD!??) Dale Watson, (who I met when we did the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jambouree a few years back) and Marty Stuart to name a few.

We Have a Winner! Congratulations to Ben Werder!

Ben Werder won the bid for a Private Performance helping donate $250 to Cheerful Givers! Thank you Ben - I look forward to the performance!

Bid to Win a Private Party with Jeff James Performing!

Iif you have an event coming up after April and are looking for Jeff James to perform you may want to direct yourself to www.cheerfulgivers.org
For the month of April there will be an auction for a 2-3 hour Jeff James performance at your event (within an hour of the metro area) The Mission of Cheerful Givers is to brighten and celebrate the lives of families in need by providing toy-filled birthday gift bags for children who are homeless or living in poverty. Jeff says: "As some know I was adopted at 4 and when I heard about Cheerful Givers I thought about how easily I could have been one of the less fortunate kids. My daughter's birthday is in April so this is the perfect month for this donation to initially start."

Article in the Marshall Independent

Nashville-Experienced James to Perform in Tyler (From the Marshall Independent Weekender Nov 19-20th, 2005)
By Cindy Votruba
Minnesota musician Jeff James has jammed with the members of the country group Rascal Flatts in Nashville, played more than 2500 performances and always looks for a reaction from his audience, big or small. MORE....

Concert Series Continues Sunday, January 29th 6pm

The next in a series of church concerts will take place on January 29th, 2006 at Augustana Lutheran Church. (1400 South Robert St. West St. Paul) The show will feature songs from 2 previous albums also on the JGR label, produced during James' 6 year career in Nashville, TN. Newcomers can expect a stellar guitar performance from the New London, Minnesota native. James' baritone/tenor voice has been described as "smooth as cappuccino with a slight edge". The songs: Metaphorical, allegorical, melodic, warm, and hey, some are even fun!

Two Hands listed on John Shelton-Ivany's Top 21

Issue #214. Jeff James "Two Hands" Top 10 Recommended albums. ,
This mention listed by reviewer John Shelton Ivany. The John Shelton-Ivany Top Twenty-One is published in 200 National newspapers. For those who would like to know who John is:

John Shelton Ivany is currently Internet provider for Hardrock.com.  Mr. Ivany is the former editor of Revolution, Country Song Roundup, Hit Parader and Rock & Soul (all national magazines). Formerly editor of On Radio, Electric Village and Riffage.com websites. Mr. Ivany was the President of Titanium Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic Record Company. Visit the John Shelton Ivany Web Site HERE.

Two Hands is a bit different from the previous albums. The songs have more varied tempos and feels to them. I've been blessed to work with some very talented and humble Nashville musicians over the past 6 years and some show up on this album. I finally get a chance to record some open D tuning songs and I love the feel and flexibility of playing them. I'm a Folk Artist at heart with emphasis on storytelling, vocals and the acoustic prominence in each song."
- Jeff James