Gourmet Blues

Nathan James is a true original American roots music artist who makes a lot of sound pickin' and scratchin' on his handmade invention of washboard guitar; stomping out time on a box made of old fence boards; all while singing and blowing harmonica to his own original music. But aside from all of these tools of the trade, his main focus is well crafted songwriting and his artistry is far from just a live show gimmick.  

Drawing from a deep well of influences from many early roots artists and styles, James was quickly attracted to the individuality of self made music and artistic expression from an early age. Growing up in the small agricultural town of Fallbrook California has been influential in choosing his life path because he could relate to music originating from a rural environment.  "There wasn't a lot to do here, so you either got in trouble or found

something productive to do with what you had around you!" Having supportive parents that didn't force him into college after high school allowed Nathan to go straight into the real world of a ‘working musician’.  At age 19 Nathan got the call from internationally known blues veteran James Harman to join his band and tour the country. With Harman is where he gained the experience that has shaped most of his own career. 

In 2007 Nathan entered the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN with Ben Hernandez and took 1st place.  During his career Nathan has worked with other many well known artists including: Kim Wilson, Pinetop Perkins, Billy Boy Arnold, Lazy Lester, Johnny Dyer, Rick Holmstrom, and Mark Hummel. Nathan has brought his music to concerts and festivals in Argentina, Russia, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Faroe Islands, Taiwan, Canada and Mexico, as well as all over the United States.