• James is having his best year yet. He was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award - the highest honor in Blues - for his album "Bring It On Home", which was also picked by the Boston Herald as on of the "Year's 10 Best CDs". James was also chosen by the Blues Foundation to be a presenter at the Handy Award Ceremony. He also received a Gold Record from Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker for the work he did on Kracker's platinum selling "Double Wide" CD.
• James has teamed up with Johnny Winter once more as a member of the Johnny Winter Group. Johnny has played several shows in the U.S. with James, and a multi-day tour of Europe is right around the corner in late June and most of July. The shows have all been extremely well received. Just check out some of the reviews on the chat line at the Johnny Winter web site!!
• James recently played a benefit for the Victory Program, a program that benefits women with dependency problems. Aerosmith's Steven Tyler joined James on stage for a two song harmonica and vocal duet. Steven was thrilled. Steven teamed up with James again at the Regent Theater in Arlington MA at a fundraiser for Middlesex Human Resources. Also on the bill were Matt Woodburn, Cheryl Arena, Harry T , and the incredible Johnny A. Over $40,000.00 was raised.
  
  After Steven did the 3 songs in the set list, he turned to James and Said "What now?" He was having such a good time he didn't want to leave. He stayed for hours afterwards and greeted everyone who wanted to meet him.
• James was also selected to perform at Dan Aykroyd's surprise 50th birthday party at Mohegan Sun (see Picture Below). The band included Steven Tyler, Peter Wolf, Sam Moore, Paul Shafer, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi (who also performed with James at last year's Reel Blues Fest), Ashford and Simpson, James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Elvin Bishop, Jeff Pevar, Mike Finnegan, David Foster, and many others. Guests included Bill Murray, Cher, Tom Cruise, John Cusack, Rosanne Barr, Chevy Chase, Ice T, and many others, including a host of super-models. Year's ago, James also played Dan Aykroyd's 25th surprise party.
   
• As president of the New England Blues Society, James has had the privilege of being part of a team that has established an extensive program to provide free health care for New England blues musicians. There will be a series of concerts this summer and fall to help support this effort - August 24th at Cape Cod Community College featuring James, Johnny Winter, K.K.Bell and others. This event will be hosted by national TV and comedy giant, Lenny Clarke. Other events include September 22nd at Indian Ranch in Webster MA with James Cotton and others, October 4th at the Stadium Theater in Woonsocket RI, and November 11th at Mechanics Hall in Worcester MA.

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