On the Edge

James Anthony was a natural musician at age 10, played Ontario Place at 15 and turned pro at 17. James' experience in the music industry is reminiscent of legendary players of the past, over a career spanning 35 years. Throughout his career he has been a most sought after sideman. His first pro band was the last version of Edward Bear in 1975. In 1980 his band Mondo Combo (on RCA enginered in part by by Daniel Lanois) played Massey Hall and played back to back with Howling Wolf, Elvin Bishop, Albert King at the now legendary El Mocambo and the Colonial Tavern in Toronto. As a three-year member of LuLu's house band 'Kats' James worked with over 150 Rock & Roll Legends, playing to up to 5,000 people every weekend. With Sam Moore (Sam &Dave), Gary US Bonds, Frankie Ford, The New Mamas and the Papas with Denny Doherty, The Platters, Sha NaNa, Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), The Drifters, The Coasters, Brian Hyland, and Rick James. James has also performed for two of Canada's Prime Ministers: the Honourable Pierre Trudeau; and the Honourable John Turner. James has shared the stage with Big Mama Thornton, Sam Moore, Johnnie Johnson, Eddie Kirkland, Frankie Ford, Big Moose Walker, Willie Big Eyes Smith, Kris St. Louis, Lazy Lester, Dutch Mason, Kelly Jay from Crowbar, Larry Lee (Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys), Chuck Jackson, Tony Flaim and Hock Walsh from the 'Downchild Blues Band'. Jay Douglas, George Olliver, Grant Smith, Johnny Preston, Gene Taylor (The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Mel Brown, Chicago Jack, Roy Young from the early Beatles, Kenny Neal, Ricky Day from the Inkspots and Members of Room Full of Blues. James has also been the opening act for a who's who of blues legends over the years.... Bobby quot;Bluequot; Bland, Koko Taylor, BB King, Canned Heat, Eric Burdon, Ten Years After, James Cotton, Jimmie Vaughn, Mick Taylor, Dr. John, Dave Mason, Sonny Rhodes, Pat Travers and John Mayall. Plus Canadians The Partland Brothers, Blue Rodeo, Randy Bachman, Valdy and Colin James. Live Radio and Television concerts over his career have found him sharing the stage with Juno winner, Denny Doherty, Patricia Dahlquist (John Williams), Murray McLaughlin and Chairmen of the Board. From 1972 till now, James has played on countless records as a session man including jingles, films, documentaries such as Friday the 13th Biker Bash, Common Grounds and lately writing the jingle for 'Fantasy Island ' in New York, the 'Blue Note Jeans' Bad to the Bone Commercial and the Tre Stelle Cheese shown world wide. James has paid his dues, working years of house band gigs including the CFGM Radio band, the Budweiser Band, the Chicken Deli in Toronto, Old Chicago's in London, the Corral in Oshawa, the Cafe Cajun in Markham, Hootch's in Cambridge and Mattsons in Burlington. In 1999 James was the musical director for the Gordon McLean TV Show .The turn of the century found James with a new audience playing outside Canada in the Azores, Buffalo and Upstate New York, New Orleans and in Hungary at Blues festivals. James played on the same club tour as Robben Ford and Al Demeola in Budapest. He owns Sound Investments Recording Studio in Burlington and is enjoying the success of his newest CD - On the Edge - a follow-up to Room For Me, the all acoustic All Spruced Up, The Blue Side of . . ., Soul Shoes, Play Something You Know and Nite School. Playing, singing, song writing with heart and honesty is what he does best and he will leave his audience with a feeling of complete musical sa