2006 Westerly Times Interview By Chris Annino

"THE WESTERLY TIMES" INTERVIEW By Chris Annino~DECEMBER 2006

"LOCAL ROCKER GOING STRONG"(COVER)
"Local Rocker Makes A Name For Himself"(INSIDE)

THIS IS THE INTERVIEW THAT I SUBMITTED TO "THE TIMES"

James is a guitarist and vocalist with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in acoustic classic and modern rock and performs all over Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the greater New England area. For more formal events he also plays classical guitar and has a large repertoire of popular, classical, and jazz songs.

James Graduated from "Berklee College Of Music" in Boston in 1992 with a Fine Arts Degree. He also studied with the renowned guitarist John Wilkins, jazz great Hal Crook, and pop singer Livingston Taylor. He also plays in the popular acoustic duo "Love Handles" which includes former "Sugardaddy" singer Graham Thompson.

He teaches electric, acoustic, and classical guitar to students of all ages at his studio in Stonington Connecticut.

1. What inspired you to pursue music?
My parents had lots of albums and I listened to them constantly. I remember really digging the song "Money" by Pink Floyd. We use to have Monopoly Money scavenger hunts in my moms basement . The signal to start looking for the hidden cash was the start of the "Money" 45 rpm. We would run around like crazy. That riff is so very catchy. Little did I know I was listening to one of the only hugely successful modernpop songs written in 7/8 time. I just taught that riff to a student a couple of months ago. I use to bring in music for show and tell in 4th and 5th grade, Beach Boys, Beatles, Billy Joel, Bee Gees, Star Wars Sound track. etc... I listened to music on juke boxes at pizza joints, Rush, J Giels Band , Billy Squire and things like that.. I had a friend Frankie who had Van Halen 1 and 2 and AC/DC "Back In Black" and "For those about to rock". It blew me away. This is when I got in to hard rock. I loved this music and started getting more interested in music in general. I must have been around nine. The seeds were sown but it took a few more years before I got interested in playing guitar.

2- Why I chose to play guitar instead of other instruments.
Guitar was the instrument to play if you wanted to rock. When you are 13, you want nothing more than to be cool. Getting into music and the guitar served a social purpose as much as anything. It gave me something to persue that I seemed to be able to notice progress with and opened up doors to a group of friends with similar a passion. Musicians seem to stick together. Sports weren't working out for me, I was never very good at athletics and guitar seemed like it would be fun to try, (With the secret desire of being able to eventually show off and impress chicks). Keyboards, saxophone, Etc didn't seem as rockin'. None of the bands I liked when I was really getting into music featured these instruments prominently. MTV played a part in getting me into music further. The music along with the visuals had a strong impact in me. The guitar was THE instrument. ( Now I watch " The Tube" channel 250 because they show actual videos and no commercials). Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Scorpions, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, ETC, It sure looked like they were having fun! Guitar was the lead instrument in the music I liked. I guess I might have started to play to be cool. Unfortunately I dont think it worked out. I just became a music geek. Iron Maiden might have been the defining band in my ultimate decision to play guitar, I loved this band! The dueling guitars had a great sound. I just figured out " The Trooper" for a student last week. I never learned beyond the intro when I was a kid. I think it was to hard at the time. My musical taste changed before I was good enough to play a lot of the music I was into when I was 13. My parents brought me to see "Maiden" 2 times on their "Powerslave" tour in 1980-something?. My parents were a big influence all around. Through their musical taste and record collection., ( especially "The Beatles") and their tolerance and open mindedness of my musical tastes. They were and still are unbelievably supportive.

2. Where do you work?
I have owned and operated a cleaning service " Harris Cleaning" for over 10 years.
I do residential and office cleaning. I enjoy it and it pays the bills. I have worked long and hard to get a solid group of clients. It is getting more challenging to schedule everything since the demand for my music has grown in the past few years. Especially this year. Things seem to be taking off. And I have a five week old baby boy named Griffin and a 3 year old girl named Ava.
I also teach guitar and Music theory to students of all ages from my studio in Stonington Connecticut. I have been teaching for over 10 years and love it.. This also has taken off over the past couple of years with little or now advertising. Word of mouth takes time but when it starts to happen there is no better way to get busy quickly.

3. What type of original stuff are you working on?
I am always working on originals and am planning to post some on My website www.harrrismusic.org and on My Space very soon. . I will sing and play guitar and bass and possibly percussion. I have a few drummers interested in recording so I am trying to find time to organize that. I am also working on a classical guitar demo to try and get more wedding and cocktail party gigs.

4. Describe how a usual lineup of songs goes for you at a gig?
When I perform I play for the crowd and usually try to pick my song list accordingly. I usually start a gig with something I am very comfortable with, perhaps "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young or "Blackbird" by "The Beatles" to warm up. But as the night goes on I open up the floor to suggestions and requests. I know over 300 songs so there is a good chance I can get in the ball park even if I don't know the exact song that someone wants to hear. I like to ask what people want me to play. It helps me gauge the audience and hopefully, possibly make a connection with them. I get asked to play everything from Alice In Chains to Gordon Lightfoot. There are songs and artists which which people request constantly so I try to not be bitter if it is something stale to my ears. I never am if people are having fun. Yes I have played " Brown Eyed Girl" a million times. It's a great tune. However overplayed it might be. But then just a few weeks ago a audience member wanted to hear Bob Dylan's " A Hard Rains Gonna Fall" I put it in my book a few years ago and rarely play it. I was overjoyed to play it and kept at least one customer happy. Everyone else left, Just Kiddding. You can't subject an audience to seven minute Dylan songs to often but I guess that went under the category of " You Asked For It". I love that song!

5. When and where are your next gigs? Where do you usually perform?
My gigging universe revolves around the "Captain Daniel Packer Inne" on Wednesday nights. This is my most consistent gig. I play there every Wednesday at 10pm. I have been playing at the "DPI" for over 8 years but I play all over. Here are a few of the places.
"DPI" Every Wednesday-10PM.
"Riverwalk Restaurant" in Mystic CT- every other Friday-9PM
"Stashs Café" for happy hour on Fridays 5-7:30 (with my Acoustic Duo "Love Handles")
"Skipper's Dock" in Stonington CT- many Thursdays 6-10PM
"Harp and Hound" in Mystic CT- on many Tuesdays.
"Billy Wilson's" in Norwich CT- Throughout The Fall and Winter
Jonathan Edward's Winery- Fall Festival
Costello's Clam Shack-Noank CT-Summer.
"The Steak Loft"-

Check my website www.harrrismusic.org for my full, monthly printable schedule or "My Space" www.myspace.com/jamesharrisguitar for my extended schedule!

I also play at many weddings and private partys. I also play classical guitar so I am able to play for wedding ceremonies and cocktail parties etc. I am going to pursue this avenue much more next season. I am working on a Wedding promotional package right now.

Q:How to contact me:
My web site www.harrrismusic.org always has my full schedule on it and lots of other fun stuff to check out. I also put my dates in the 'Soundwaves" magazine and they are often in "The Day" "Westerly Sun" and " Norwich Bulletin" as well. I also have my dates on "My space" on my profile or www.myspace.com/jamesharrisguitar
I have an e-mail list with which I send out gig updates and news. You can get on it by going to my website.

Q:What was the greatest moment in your music life and personal.
A:The birth of my Daughter Ava and my son Griffin are the most important moments in my life. It's hard to put anything, even music above these.