MICHAEL JAMES USA  October 20th 2011

Tonight was the occasion for Michael to entertain us as part of his regular annual UK tour and as always he gave us a lovely concert of songs old and new, ballads and up-tempo numbers all ideal for listeners and dancers.

  Starting with Merle Haggard's, The Fugitive, he continued with Don Williams', You're My Best Friend, Joe Nicholls', Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, George Strait's, The Chair, Marty Robbins', White Sport Coat (and a pink carnation) Josh Turner's, Your Man, George Jones', Billy Be Bad, Dwight Yoakam's, 1000 Miles From Nowhere and the Oakridge Boys', Elvira.

The three acts were similarly formatted and later inclusions featured The Everly's, Cathy's clown, Raymond Froggatt's, Charlie, Alan Jackson / Jimmy Buffett's, It's Five O'clock Somewhere, Desert Rose Bands, One Step Forward, The Mavericks', Dance The Night Away, and to conclude another evening of great entertainment,  Michael gave us  Ray Price's / Eddy Arnold's, Make The World Go Away, each delivery  receiving appreciative applause throughout the show.

                               

July 30th 2009.. MICHAEL JAMES USA

Making a return visit as part of his current U.K. Tour, following the success of last years show here. Michael again conquered his audience with a great programme of old, classic country songs with a few newer ones  thrown in for variety and good measure.

 

           Starting tonight with Merle Haggard's ever popular, Oakie From Muskogee, he continued with Roy Orbison's, California Blue, B.J.Thomas', Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, George Strait's, One night At A Time and Marty Robbins', El Paso.

 

During the first interval Michael mingled with our members sharing a variety of conversations.

       His second and third spots progressed in similar vein to his first as he included  Lonestar's, No News, The Tractors, Baby Likes To Rock It, Charlie Rich's, The Most Beautiful Girl, Jim Reeves / Eddie Arnold's, Welcome To My World, Johnny Cash's, Forty Shades Of Green, Alan Jackson's, Where I Come From, Leroy Van Dyke's, Walk On By, Paul Simon's, The Boxer, a country hit for Emmy Lou Harris in 1980 and Can't Help Falling In Love With you, a country hit for Slim Whitman in 1981.

 

Once again Michael gave us a superb show and hopefully returns to Shobnall next year with more of the same..

                                                 

July 24th 2008.... MICHAEL JAMES  USA

 

Performing for the first time at our club, tonight we were pleased to welcome, West Palm Beach, Florida based Michael (with Serena). A multi instrumentalist and vocalist, he has been fulfilling six - monthly tours outside the U.S.A. for the last twenty years. Although familiar with all forms of music, his roots are with Country varieties having toured with superstar Conway Twitty, and having regular residency appearances in his homeland.

Michael has a deep rich, velvet voice and started tonight's concert with George Strait's, I Just Want To Dance With You, Tim McGraws, I Like It I Love It,  and Garth Brooks', Two Pina Coladas, Going back somewhat further in time, he continued with Marty Robbins', Devil Woman, Willie and Waylon's, Good Hearted Woman, Jim Reeves', He'll Have To Go, Charley Pride's, Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone, and Kenny Rogers', Lucille.

The evening progressed in similar vein with a lovely, lively mix of old and new country. Other numbers included, Sixteen Tons, Mamma Tried. Achy Breaky Heart, No Shoes, No Shirt, Beer For my Horses, Tennessee Waltz, Sea Of Heartbreak,  and one of his own compositions, Roses.

Throughout,  the audience responded with appreciative applause, and dancers were well impressed; so it will come as no surprise if  Michael visits us again on his next foray to the U.K.

Cyril Insley