James headlined our very first house concert back in November 2004, and he came back to see the valley in Springtime.  Someone said his music could be described as 'Sting meets The Beatles,' but we beg to differ.  It's hard to describe this jameshurleymusic, as it seems there's nothing else quite like the presentation and musings of this troubadour (emphasis on the "true") - this is a real poet-musician, and master at coaxing amazing sounds out of his guitar.  James' original and evocative lyrics go right to the heart.  Especially liked "You and Me," "In My Dreams" and the upbeat "One Fine Day."  When he left the next day, James asked us to schedule him in as a regular each May.  Be sure to catch him next year!

Saturday, 13 May 2006
  House Concert:  James Hurley

After an early stint as a rodeo bull rider, James Hurley settled into the life of professional musician, and was lead guitar for a number of bands over many years.  In late 2003, James decided to focus instead on a new career as a solo singer/songwriter acoustic performer. For James, “Performing live is where the magic is. There’s a thing that happens when you’re performing that reveals the commonalities of the human experience. I’ll play a song and when it ends, I’ll realize that the audience came along with me for the ride. Music can give us a mutual understanding that transcends language or cultural differences, three minutes at a time. Nobody really knows the words to ‘Louie Louie’ but everybody relates to it at some level.”

James’ exposure to different countries, cultures and communities, his own natural inclinations and his father’s eclectic tastes as a music aficionado have resulted in James’ music being a unique fusion of Blues, Rock, Jazz, Folk, and Adult Contemporary Acoustic with occasional Latin influences.

James helped us inaugurate our very first house concert back in November 2004.  We are so happy welcome this personable and very entertaining performer  back to the Skagit Valley!

 7:30pm at Brookhaven Lodge.