Equipment:
James has a unique and very diverse playing style, ranging
from finger-picking and finger-picking slide to acoustic to
straight up in your face frontal assault. James uses many
different guitars and tunings to help create the character
sounds of “4 ft Deep”.
The guitars James uses are:
- Headless ‘70’s Arbor in C-standard tuning,
- J. Turser acoustic/electric resonator tuned to Open-D,
- Tacoma Chief in standard tuning,
- Tacoma Papoose (1/2 scale guitar) tuned to Open-G/Delta,
- Epiphone Wee-Vee (1/2 scale guitar) tuned to Open-G/Delta,
- Ovation Celebrity Classical in standard tuning.
- Washburn EA-220 Double Neck Acoustic,
12-string tuned to standard, 6-string tuned to Open-E
But his main weapon of choice is a Parker Fly Deluxe.
His "LIVE" rig contains a Mesa Boogie Simul 2:90,
Rocktron Chameleon, Korg DTR-1, several different acoustic
guitar processors, an ART X-15 and two 4x12 cabinets loaded
with vintage Celestions. His acoustic rig is either a boss AD-5,
Zoom 504II or Fender AcoustaSonic SFX amp. |
Personal:
James is from a small town in Maryland, just north of Baltimore,
who’s only claim to fame is having an Army/Air Force Base
attached to it. James has several degrees in Computer Art
and Graphic Design, and works as a Digital Artist in Southern
California. When not writing songs or playing LIVE, James is a
stay-at-home guy enjoying time at home with his wife Kristy,
seven year old daughter Kendal, a large puffy cat named Qismat,
a Queensland Healer named Sascha and a "Peeka". |
Music Experience:
James started his musical career way back in the 5th grade at the
age of 10 years old. His first live performance was for his 5th grade
music class. For some reason finger-picking folk style came easy to
James. Switching to electric guitars, the early 70’s found James
working on Classic Rock Cover tunes. James came to California in
1976 where he was in and out of Classic Rock/Top 40 band. 1980
found James going back to his roots playing small bars and
restaurants with an all acoustic, un-plugged show.
Several years later James was asked to join a very popular Southern
California Jump-Blues Band called “the Blue Falcons”. James played
in the Blue Falcons for right at five years and started dabbling with
alternate tunings. James found another niche in the slide-guitar. In
October of 1999 James was asked to join “4 ft Deep” by then bassist
and guitar extraordinaire “Nik Guadagnoli”. This band was just
what James was looking for. A band with competent musicians,
who had the ability and desire to play very diverse and eclectic
music. The rest is history.
|
Words From The MADMAN:
I remember when I was young I never had much support of my
musical or artistic endeavors. As you can see that did not stop me.
If you feel it inside, despite adversity, trials and tribulations.
Follow GOD. Listen to your Heart, and Remember. . .
"Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained. It’s all in the trying.
Never loose sight of your goals and never abandon your dreams.” |
