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Steve James
July 15, 1950-January 6, 2023
Steve James was a a musician's musician. I saw him at my
local, The Bridge Inn at Topsham, Nr Exeter, Devon in a gig
organised by the late Julian Piper of Blues SouthWest. The
photo on the left was taken by Lucy Piper, Julian’s
daughter, at the Bridge.
As always the gig was outstanding with the added
bonus that I won a pint of bitter on Steve as I was the
first person in the audience to name the place in
Texas where Blind Lemon Jefferson is buried.
A native New Yorker, Steve James developed an
early fascination with blues
music and the guitar
through his father’s record
collection. Steve travelled
around the south, partly in
search of Sam McGee, the
old time guitar pLayer and
later moved to Memphis
where he was mentored by
no less a person than Furry
Lewis.
A lifelong touring soloist,
James moved to Austin,
Texas, and began recording
regularly in 1993 with the
release of “Two Track Mind”
(Antone’s), followed by
“American Primitive”, “Art
and Grit”, and “Boom
Chang”, collaborating with
artists such as Danny
Barnes, Gary Primich, Alvin
Youngblood Hart, and steel guitar player, Cindy Cashdollar.
James’ taste for early American rural musical cultures extended to a fascination with old
musical instruments, and he amassed a collection of “pawnshop” guitars, mandolins, and
exotica on which he focused his well-learned and well-honed luthier skills. His fascination with
resonator instruments culminated in the release of National Reso-Phonic’s ResoRocket Steve James
signature model.
Long time musical partner of Del Rio with whom he toured widely, Steve was a garrulous and delightful
presenter of the music he loved and was the writer of numerous books including “Roots and Blues
Fingerstyle Guitar”, “Roots and Blues Mandolin”, “Inside Blues Guitar”, and “Fingerstyle Blues
Songbook” (Stringletter).
Without exception, accolades on various websites often refer to his “effervescent personality – his
obvious knowledge and brilliant, between-song banter”. Sadly Missed.
Ian K McKenzie
