James Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school traveling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured Canada, Europe and Australia, seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way.
A unique finger style guitarist, with a vocal that is hauntingly beautiful, Gray, often accompanied by a rather droll, humorous stage patter, immerses himself in each and every song with a soulfulness and attack that is infectious and disarming. With a broad grin and good natured chuckle, Gray will often smile into the microphone and state matter of factly that he wants you to remember who he is.
When the pandemic began and everything had suddenly stopped, it felt like the world could use some connecting. This pause sparked the inspiration for Gray’s third album entitled “New Friends That Talk Like Old Friends”. This collection of songs born in His tiny Muskoka cabin is a reflection of the people and experiences that James has come across in his travels.
Galvanized by the idea to speak to the human condition through the creation and delivery of song, Gray drew from his deep love of legendary songwriters such as John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch, to guide him throughout the project. James believes these songwriters honed the ability to teach the listener about themselves and to open up that part of themselves they didn’t know already existed. Gray firmly holds this to be the ultimate goal of being a songwriter.
Notably, James has been a musical guest at TED Talks held on the west coast of Canada. Music from his three albums receives regular airplay on CBC radio programs including Fresh Air with Nana Aba Duncan and Ontario Morning with Wei Chen. He has garnered extensive airplay regionally and throughout Canada.
In 2019 James won himself a spot at The Mariposa Folk Festival through their showcase auditions. Since then James has been invited to perform at 4 Mariposa Folk events, 2 Troubadour Festivals and the Muskoka Music Festival in James’ home of central Ontario.