James Krueger

Artist Information

Biography

James Krueger - Biography

James Krueger’s lyrics echo his friendship with nature, and his smooth vocals and fingerpicked guitar move his audiences into the northern hills or by the shores of the glistening sea. The Chronogram, a Hudson Valley arts journal, said that James’ “music and lyrics reflect a deep, healthy connection with nature.” This is why James has been asked to perform for the North American Bluebird Society, the Sierra Club, The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s Esopus Meadows Point Preserve Environmental Center, The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, The New York Maple Grower’s Association, National Artists for Mental Health, The Hunter Mountain Foundation’s Mountain Culture Festival, to open for the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, and to perform in countless libraries in the Hudson Valley. He has also recently won an honor award for his song “Fine” from the Great American Song Contest.

James has done a program entitled “Purple Mountains Majesty”, intertwining readings from American nature writers with original and traditional songs. But James’ music is not self-consciously nature oriented. His references to the natural world are un-contrived, as much a part of his everyday language as the words “and“ and “the“. Impressionistic and quietly powerful, his songs have been said to “probe beneath the surface of seemingly simple topics” (Rambles Magazine).

Born in 1970 to two teachers, James Krueger grew up in the rural hills of northern New Jersey. During his childhood and in the company of his guitar he found refuge in cornfields and forests. He used these quiet places to conjure his musical talent and, at the young age of fifteen, began writing and performing his own music.

His repertoire consists of four solo albums, including his latest CD "Bluebird in the Snow", which features a good compilation of the sounds he is best known for. His CD radiates the inspirations of traditional folk while at the same time remaining contemporary and original. Listeners hear pop, alternative rock, and even classical influences in his recordings and performance. James has often been compared to James Taylor, John Denver, Townes Van Zandt and Garnet Rogers.

Credits, 04 - 05:

Honor Award, 2004 Great American Song Contest

Released "Catskill Mountain Snow" and "Wonders Yet to Grow", the first two singles from "Bluebird in the Snow", on Canadian radio.

The song "Fine" hit the top 100 on radio charts in Canada.

Chosen to be an Artist in Residence at the Platte Clove Preserve by the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, and received a grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York Council on the Arts to financially support his residency.

Toured the Northeast from New Hampshire to New York City performing in venues such as The Evergreen, The Cascade, The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, North American Bluebird Society Annual Conference, Mountain Culture Festival, Stamford Performing Arts Center, Café 111, Fund-raiser concert for Mid-Hudson Sierra Club, Libraries, etc.

Received a New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization grant to perform Purple Mountains’ Majesty, a six county concert series presenting mostly original and some traditional mountain songs with readings from the works of American nature writers.

Released second solo full length CD Fine.

Received grant from the O’Connor Foundation to perform concert series in Delaware County, NY.

Received New York State Council on the Arts Arts in Education Grant to co-teach Purple Mountains’ Majesty, an Arts in Education program focusing on the history of National Parks in America and the role that art has played in the conservation movement, at Onteora High School, Boiceville, NY.

Instrumentation

James Krueger, Acoustic Guitar and Vocals

Discography

Recent Releases:
Bluebird in the Snow - to be released Jan 10 2006

Fine - 2004

. . . and then a silence falls. - 2003

Audio

Lyrics

• Catskill Mountain Snow
• Gordo's Blues (The Long Monsoon)
• Fine
• Her Eyes They Are
• Trailer Park Blues # 1

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• CD Reviews [+ Show ]
  

  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll dance a jig if you feel the way I did upon hearing James Krueger's ...You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll dance a jig if you feel the way I did upon hearing James Krueger's new CD release, "Fine". . . . This CD is something you'll put on and won't take off. You'll listen to some songs, like "Shot Through", over and over. I would say he's a true voice of the Catskills if it hadn't already been said. He sounds like Phil Ochs with the added warmth of Willie Nelson. Also listen for shades of James Taylor. . . . The music and lyrics on "Fine" reflect a deep, healthy connection with nature.

• CD Reviews [+ Show ]
  

  James Krueger's music is rough and ragged, making it difficult to know whether to sit back and relax...James Krueger's music is rough and ragged, making it difficult to know whether to sit back and relax or hover anxiously over the stereo waiting to turn the volume down when a particularly boisterous moment hits. Lovely, melodic lines often go careening off into brash, half-shouted finales that make the speakers groan. Nevertheless, I found that [James' music] can be both insightful and touching.
  
  Krueger's resonant voice struck me as a nice mix of Gordon Lightfoot and Woodie Guthrie. He is capable of surprising depth and control, bringing heartfelt appreciation to songs that celebrate the passing of the seasons and the sound of rain on a windowsill.
  
  Here are songs that probe beneath the surface of seemingly simple topics - the beauty of a mountain, the restlessness brough on by the change of seasons and the satisfaction of hiking a trail in wild country.
  
  If you're game and looking for a new artist to champion as he finds his way, then Krueger would be a good choice. He's got the voice and the songwriting ability.

• Open Space for the Ears [+ Show ]
  

  Straying, at least partly, beyond the classical solo singer/songwriter/storyteller mode, Krueger wil...Straying, at least partly, beyond the classical solo singer/songwriter/storyteller mode, Krueger will - yes, by himself - mix well-crafted songs with readings from the pens of environmentally conscious folk when he brings his "Purple Mountains' Majesty" concert series to the Colony.
  Expect well-chosen readings blended in with songs from his three records: "Lanesville Rain", ". . . and then a silence falls", and the brand spankin' new "Fine". The latter is a very pleasant listen - well-played and featuring Krueger playing various instruments with impressive end results, thought-provoking and far from preachy. In fact, the project sounds terrific. Add to the intrigue that the record was originally meant to be a romantic birthday gift, but the performer liked it enough that he decided to add some equally strong material and make it his third release.

Setlist

Sets are usually 45 min to an hour each, up to three sets in a performance. An example set may be:
Originals:
Just Beyond the Window Sills
Gordo's Blues
One to the Crow
A Champlain Valley
The Loon She is Restless
Muddy Brook Melting
Shot Through
Clouds
Trailer Park Blues #1
Fine

Covers:
Sunny Side of the Mountain (Trad.)
Shady Grove (Trad.)
Whiskey in the Jar (Trad.)
900 Miles (Trad.)

Basic Requirements

Calendar