A FREE bluegrass concert by JAMES REAMS & THE BARNSTORMERS

Saturday , May 15, 2004
10:30 am
Location: Elderly Instruments
in-store performance (free)

When we learned that James Reams & The Barnstormers were coming through Lansing on Saturday morning, May 15, on their way to the West Michigan Bluegrass Association's Mayfest in Lowell, we invited them to share some of their fine traditional bluegrass music with us.

Originally from Kentucky, James lives in New York City where he is heavily involved in the Big Apple's thriving bluegrass and old-time community. In addition to leading The Barnstormers, he is the primary organizer of the annual Park Slope Bluegrass/Old-Time Jamboree, the only festival event of its kind in or near NYC.

An excerpt from Joe Ross' review in Bluegrass Now and Bluegrass Music News describes the long-popular band: "James Reams ('The Kentucky Songbird') has...more recently been called 'The Father of Brooklyn Bluegrass.' With his band, The Barnstormers, Reams has a bluegrass vocal style with a clear, no-frills-added, old-time, traditional edge."

The four-piece band features James on guitar and lead vocals; Mark Farrell on mandolin, fiddle and harmony vocals; Carl Hayano on upright bass and harmony vocals; and Mickey Maguire on banjo.
James' guitar playing was highlighted in Flatpicking Guitar's "Masters of Rhythm Guitar" column, and his old-time and bluegrass recordings--including both traditional pieces and originals--are a valuable addition to the bluegrass repertoire.

James has also shared the stage and studio extensively with famed banjo player Walter Hensley ("the Banjo Baron of Baltimore"). The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) nominated their album James Reams, Walter Hensley & The Barons of Bluegrass as a Recorded Event of the Year in 2003. The IBMA also nominated James Reams & The Barnstormers as Emerging Artist of the Year in 2003.

"Reams' commanding voice takes the listener all the way back to Kentucky, with an unaffected Monroe-style quality that bends to capture the mood....originals from Reams and partner Tina Aridas could fool anyone into believing they were written long before they were born; the authentic nature of both words and melody nail the style." - Stephanie P. Ledgin in Sing Out!

"This isn't citified, ersatz bluegrass, it's the real stuff, and Reams has the credentials to back it up....reminiscent of the sophisticated stylings of fellow Kentuckian Bill Monroe mixed with the old time, deep-hollow sound of the Stanley Brothers." - John Lupton in Country Standard Time

"It is straight-up, no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners bluegrass music....Great stuff." - Steve Daugherty, WUWG, Carrolton GA

"James's guitar and outstanding voice perfectly recreate the spirit of the '30s and '40s and...turn superb versions of the classics....Truly a feast of old time country." - review in The Advertiser, England

This in-store event is a must-see, in the words of Jerry Paul, WJCP (Indiana) and founding editor of Acoustica: "James is such an inspirtion to watch. He truly feels his music, and sings from his very soul....If James is ever in your area, he is a 'must see' bluegrass icon."

Check out recordings we carry featuring James Reams