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James Filkins is a fingerstyle acoustic guitar player using primarily alternate tunings. With a style that is a bit new age, a bit Celtic and a bit just plain hard to describe but ALL acoustic! The acoustic guitar has been a part of James Filkins life for over 35 years. Somewhere around the turn of the century he began to dabble with alternative tunings and quickly found himself headed down the path that resulted in the CD Borderline Normal. The tunes on his debut CD evolved over several years and were recorded in his home in various rooms; A homegrown project all the way around with the exception of mastering by Bill Wolf in Virginia and art work by Glenn Wolff in Traverse City, where James also resides. James played his handmade McIlroy AJ25cx for most of the tracks. A few tracks also feature acoustic percussion.
James continues to write and record instrumental acoustic guitar music and has developed an archive of tunes over the past few years. He is currently working on a new CD with an open eye and ear for new projects in film, documentary, television and marketing, or any other medium that meshes well with the sonic tapestry his guitar creates.
Up coming plans include:
The release of a second CD sometime in 2010.
Several new tunes will appear on a compilation CD to be released by the Acoustic Guitar Forum featuring original music and handmade boutique guitars crafted by renowned luthiers.
Several tunes will be featured on an upcoming documentary for a Community Mental Health organization.
James Filkins on acoustic guitar with occasional acoustic percussion and acoustic guitar accompaniment.
Borderline Normal (2007)
Visit http://www.jamesfilkins.com/News.html for updated information and news on James Filkins, here are some highlights and accomplishments:
Jan. 2009 - The Acoustic Revival show on WWSP includes “Round Lake Leelanau” on their Best of 2008 show!
Nov. 2008 - PBS includes four tracks from Borderline Normal as part of Roadtrip Nation
July 2008 - “Borderline Normal” included on the Acoustic Guitar Forum CD Vol. I.
June 2008 - Several songs from Borderline Normal added to Galaxie music Network of the CBC
May 2008 - “Borderline Normal" receives an honorable mention in West Coast Song Writers 2008 Contest.
March 2008 - “Tears for a Princess” chosen as finalist in 9th Annual Great American Song Contest.
Jan. 2008 - Borderline Normal CD nominated for a Jammie Award by WYCE
Jan. 2008 - http://MyNorth.com/ features tracks from Borderline Normal
Oct. 2007 - “Borderline Normal" receives an honorable mention in the 2007 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest
Oct. 2007 - Borderline Normal appears on the New Age Reporter September Spin Chart.
Sept. 2007 - Borderline Normal debuts on the Roots Music Report!!
Aug. 2007 - Borderline Normal appears on the Michigan Regional Roots Artists Radio Airplay Chart
May 2007 - “Borderline Normal” is featured on National Public Radio's Open Mic.
April 2007 - “Autrain River” chosen as theme music for “Nature's Call” program on WIAA, Interlochen
March 2007 - "Borderline Normal” featured on NPR’s Open Mic.
Website: http://www.jamesfilkins.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jdfilkins
Email: james@jamesfilkins.com
“Devoted to his passion of alternative tunings, James' debut CD is song-after-song of stunningly beautiful guitar playing. Breathtakingly elegant & sensitive are just two adjectives that come to mind to describe all 14 songs. It is one of those all too rare CD's where the next track seems even better than the preceding one; such is the case with Borderline Normal. 14 tracks of excellent, thoughtful & beautiful guitar playing. This is, without a doubt, the best acoustic guitar CD that I have heard in along time. Superlative in every way! James has at least one new fan in me; his guitar playing deserves many more.” - Guitar Nation
"A treat for the ears - very reflective- a continuous flow of inspiration of the deeper layers of the soul" -Bridge Guitar Reviews
“... Like the kind of guitar music the Tompkins Square Label is rediscovering and letting flower, Filkins gently sees how far he can push the possibilities of guitar. Falling under the realm of new age and NAC without swallowing the wishy washy elements of either, Filkins' music is along the line of guitar miniatures that tell stories within themselves. A delightful diversion with an attention to craft you don't often see/hear.” - Midwest Record
“The essence of the music is all that matters here- almost impressionistic - shifting and drifting through a beautiful haze of sound." - MISH MASH
“Uncluttered and full of homegrown integrity... ” - Rambles.net
“Borderline Normal is an easy listen... soothing music that calms the spirit. The sound quality is top-notch, which really showcases Filkins' playing and the wonderful tone of the guitars." - Jim Tozier, Solid Air Records recording artist
CDbaby
Itunes
elderly.com - Elderly Instruments1100 North Washington Street, Lansing, Michigan
Horizon Books located at 243 East Front Street, Travese City, MI 49684
Borders located in the Grand Traverse Crossings Mall, 2612 Crossings Circle, Traverse City
Unity Fair Trade Market Place located on the 113 E. State Street in downtown Traverse City.
Schuler Books & Music located at 2660 28th Street SE , Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Sound It Out Records Front Street Commons in downtown Traverse City.
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