Kirk James is solidly grounded in the Texas Blues tradition, playing Texas Shuffles, Ragtime and Funky Grooves. His unmistakable phrasing mixed with bottleneck slide conjures images of T-Bone Walker, Elmore James and Lightnin’ Hopkins. A blues performer for over 30 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.

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.”