Colin James is known for being a mean guitar slinger with powerful pipes who has been bending the blues with rock and R&B for the last two decades.
But lately he has been tuned into a whole new medium.
Used to having his songs played over the airwaves, the Regina-born, longtime Vancouver resident is now on them.
James is following in the footsteps of fellow musicians Randy Bachman, Jann Arden and Rich Terfry (aka Buck 65) who have turned to hosting their own radio shows on the CBC.
His show, Behind the Beat, debuted on CBC Radio 2 Friday night, a week before he takes the stage at Vernon’s MotoPlex Speedway and Event Park, opening for the legendary John Fogerty.
“Over the years I have guest hosted on Iceberg and Sirius, and I enjoyed it. I’ve also enjoyed doing radio interviews over the years with the likes of (the late Peter) Gzowski and Vicky Gabereau. This was a great way for me to try something different,” he said.
Not unlike putting a greatest hits package together –– something James has done twice in his career, most recently this past spring –– the radio show is all about planning out what to play, how long to play it and how it fits into a theme.
“It’s harder than it looks. There’s actually a lot of paperwork,” he said. “I have to pick 12 to 13 songs to play in an hour and finding something thematic in that space is near impossible.”
Unlike fellow guitarist, the late, great Jeff Healey, who was a ‘30s and ‘40s jazz aficionado with a giant record collection, James doesn’t own 20,000 blues albums, instead his collection is a little more diverse, and a tad smaller.
For his first show, Celtic Heart, James highlighted music from the British Isles. Upcoming shows include women guitarists, unsung sidemen, and soul crooners.
“We have nine different themes that cover all kinds of ground, from the Black Keys to Adele, Ray LaMontagne and others,” he said, adding his personal favourites are artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
“Everyone expects me to just like the blues,” he said. “I like all kinds of music and the show reflects that.”
Known for playing as a rock-blues artist, James has delved in acoustic roots and blues –– his last performance in Vernon was an acoustic set with fellow musician Craig Northey of Odds fame –– as well as R&B with his Little Big Band.
His greatest hits collections –– the first one was released in ‘95 –– have reflected all angles of his career.
Recently resigned with EMI, the record company released James’ Take It From The Top: The Best Of album earlier this year. The album featured such hits as Just Came Back and Why’d You Lie, along with two new songs recorded with legendary producer Bob Rock (Bon Jovi, The Tragically Hip, Metallica, Michael Bublé).
“The hardest part has been trying to remember what I did,” laughed James about going through his songbook for the greatest hits package. “It’s hard to pick what I perceive are people’s favourites… It depends on their personal experience with the songs.”
James has more recently found the time to write some new songs, collaborating with the likes of Ron Sexsmith, Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar fame and Tom Wilson, and says he is planning on a new album to be out before Christmas.
“It depends on how quick I can get it arranged,” said the busy artist. “My first thing has been trying to get these radio shows done.”
With performances at the Montreal Jazz Festival this summer, James is also looking forward to playing on the same stage as Fogerty, both here in Vernon as well as in Calgary.
“I’ve never met him,” said James. “He has a really iconic voice and his songs are those I’ve heard all my life. I don’t know a lot about him, besides what I’ve heard on the radio, but I respect the guy’s style.”
James and Fogerty will take the outdoor stage at the MotoPlex Speedway and Event Park in Vernon, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.ca or charge by phone 1-855-985-5000. Ticket prices are $55, $125 and $150 plus applicable service charges. The Motoplex Speedway and Event Park is located 10 minutes north on Highway 97.
Colin James’ Behind the Beat airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on CBC Radio 2; and 11 p.m. Saturdays on CBC Radio One.
