Biography
Contact Email - fun@rogerjames.com
FAQ-
Q- What do you play?
A- Celtic , Bluegrass, Blues, Folk, Humorous songs, Social Satire, Original, Political Sati....
Q- No, I meant what instruments do you play.
A- Oh,Guitar, Banjo, Bodhran (Irish Drum), Piano.
Q- What do you mean "Comedy and Music"?
A- OK, I'm playing a song, If you're laughing it's comedy, if you're not, it's music.
Q- How long have you been playing?
A- I started with Violin in grade 3, switched to Guitar in grade 6, played in High School Rock bands and a Jazz trio. 1969- Played Detroit Coffehouse circuit, Blues, Folk and Comedy, joined Irish band Tinkers Dam in '72, formed Cobblers Awl with David Craig in 1974 went Solo again in '78 settling in Kingston, Ontario.
Q- Have you ever had a real job?
A- No
Q- What is the major export of the Brazil?
A- Tin
Q- Where have you played?
A- U.S., Canada, Ireland, England. Clubs, Festivals (e.g. Blue Skies, Summerfolk, Mariposa) TV, Theatre, Radio, Records, Boats, Busses, Backalleys. Over 5000 appearances in 86 cities and on one big river.
Q- What is the fastest land animal?
A- I don't know.
Q- What is the Secret of Life?
A- Keep breathing.
Roger James describes his show - "O.K., I'm playing a song, if you're laughing it's comedy. If you're not, it's music".
An evening with Roger features social satire, humorous original songs, and inventive tributes to songwriters such as: Shel Silverstein, Groucho Marx, Allan Sherman and Tom Lehrer.
A terrific banjo and guitar player, Roger also plays Bodhran (Irish drum). Combine this with musical styles as diverse as Bluegrass, Celtic, English, 50's& 60s, Blues,and Folk and and you have a entertaining collision of humour and musical skill.
Roger performs at festivals, events, conferences, on riverboats and in concert. You can also find him sharing a stage with Wendell Ferguson, comedy songwriter and award-winning guitarist, and Nancy White, comic singer-songwriter of CBC Sunday Morning fame. "Roger is possibly the most hilarious man on earth", says Nancy.
Roger has performed in Canada, USA, Ireland, and England. He's given more than 5000 performances in 81 cities. Film historians, please note, Roger appeared onscreen as a fishmonger / street musician in the 1999 HBO movie "Vendetta". His role lasted 52 seconds.
At festivals, Roger takes on the roles of: Stage performer, MC, Workshop Host, using: guitar, frailing banjo, bodhran, tasteful humour, music, humorous music, he pumps the gas, runs the general store and he�s the Sheriff.
"Roger is wonderful to work with, always professional, a great crowd pleaser."
Sandra Jass, Chair and Organizer,
City of Kingston First Night
Roger is a family oriented musical comedian owing to his firm, if redundant, belief that �Without children there would be no people�
in fact after a recent performance for a Queens University Theological College conference ( which some comedians would consider a challenging audience) an attendee was quoted:
"I'm going to nominate him for our next Moderator"
Rev. Allan Reeve, Bobcaygeon, ON
occasionally Roger�s bios will include quotes that contain no useful information whatsoever.
"Could just as easily have been a doctor, but no...." Roger's Mother
Instrumentation
Roger James- Solo musical comedian. Brings lively, tasteful humour and Guitar, Banjo, Bodhran (Irish Drum) to events, fairs festivals, and conferences
Discography
With Tinkers Dam-
Do Ye Good and Help Ye Too Kevin Records
With Cobblers Awl-
Awl in Good Time Highbutton Records
Cobblers Awl Sandcastle Records
Solo-
Compulsory Fun Endorphin Releases
Row Faster The Captain Wants To Water Ski
REEL Endorphin Releases
With Nancy White and Wendell Ferguson-
Songs From Songs With Punchlines Endorphin
Compilation and Guest appearances-
Blue Skies 25th anniversary DVD
Mariposa 2002
One Voice a tribute to Norm Hacking Festival
An Gorta Mor The Great Irish Famine Rankin
Nightsun - Home Joe Radio
Nightsun - Drive
Hemoloxsoup - Souvenir
The Mahones - The Hellfire Club Sessions
Oskar Graf Guitars 25th Anniversary Collection
With Kyra and Tully-
Artists for The Algonquin
Skeleton Park Music Festival CD 2008
Links
| http://www.RogerJames.com |