JAMES CLAY GARRISON

JAMES' BIO

James Clay Garrison. Greatly influenced by the rhythms and musical styles experienced during his years as a child in Spain, James Clay Garrison became a virtuoso guitarist and vocalist at a very early age, recording his first LP at 15. went on to tour the U.S., Europe, and Asia with various bands throughout the late 80's.  James moved to Los Angeles when then untouchable guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, made his group, "Private Life" an offer to record on the WB label after Edward had seen the band perform in James' home base, Shreveport, Louisiana.

During the first years in Los Angeles, James fronted and helped gain recording contracts for several popular 80's Sunset Strip bands, wrote and recorded a variety of original material, and worked with the legendary Ray Charles as Writer/Producer/Musical Director.  James recorded and/or performed with such artists as Stephen Stills, Brian Wilson, Van Halen, and many others.  Players from around Southern California have referred to him as one of the top Singer/Guitarists in the industry.  His songs have been covered by artists as varied as Ray Charles, Shem (Ambrosia, Kenny Loggins Band), Jeanette Clinger (Hiroshima), and more.  He has written and produced award winning regional & national jingles for clients from S&W Foods to Pepsi.  He has worked on some of the best selling video games (Redneck Rampage, Quake 3) as Music Consultant, Composer, and Sound Designer.  He has appeared as a featured Singer/Guitarist and occasionally had speaking roles on national television shows (General Hospital, Cop Rock, 21 Jump Street, and Santa Barbara).  More recently as a composer for FOX television, James was called on to closely reproduce the sound of known artists or groups as the background music for given scenes.  His most recent work was heard in the national TV series "Nashville". 

James' long awaited  solo release "1000 Million Miracles" features many of the players who have been part of the extremely popular live performances he's lead and/or been a part of throughout Southern California in the last decade.  Touring musicians like Todd Sucherman of the progressive pop/rock band STYX, have been regular fill ins at James' shows. Todd is featured on two of the 10 tracks on "1000 Million Miracles".  Chris Frazier was one of the players James encountered after leaving "Private Life" in the late 80's.  The driving force behind Steve Vai's recordings in the 80's and early 90's, James joined Chris in the Vai backed group, "Western Vacation", a group which garnered much critical acclaim though it's line up was constantly in flux.  Frazier, now with 80's super group "Foreigner", provides the perfect drum sounds and style for "Our Last Goodbye", the record's "power ballad".  Much of the work on keys is handled beautifully by Matt Rhode, Musical Director for American Idol and the Voice, and a part of James' live unit that will be out supporting the release. And the list goes on as over 15 of the world's top musicians have joined James on this record.  

James is also busy as a session and live Musician/Vocalist performing and recording throughout Southern California.  He is scheduled to perform at numerous seasonal concerts, festivals and venues.  Click here for show schedule.