Chris James and the Showdowns new album and CD launch event (Press Release) 

For Release:

Chris James and the Showdowns launch new album: ‘Somewhere Out in California’ on Fri. April 24th with a live performance at the Hotel Utah Saloon in San Francisco. (500 4th Street @ Bryant, San Francisco, CA 94103)
 
w/ special guests: Jesse Brewster and Shot On Mars
9pm-12am. $10 at the door.
 
Long time Americana Rock veterans of the San Francisco/ Bay Area Music scene, Chris James and the Showdowns, have captured the raw energy of their celebrated live shows and finally put to ‘tape’ in their latest album, what so many audiences have experienced from their performances: Well crafted songs that tug first at the heart and drag you to the dance floor later.
 
This is the 2nd full-length release by the band under this name, and the first in over 3 years. As part of the $10 cover charge to the 3 hour-long show, attendees will receive a free copy of the new CD.
 
Although one of the smaller venues in town, the band chose The Hotel Utah for this special event in particular because it is a San Francisco institution that continues to celebrate live and local music in the area, especially the Americana Rock genre. With so many live music clubs not being able to survive lately in a city with a changing demographic, the timeless saloon has endured (at least for now) and for James and his Band, this will be one of over 20+ performances there. It was an easy choice for them to turn their CD release into a more “intimate style” event and promote a venue that has been so inviting to them, and to so many other Bay Area groups. They are expecting a near sell out crowd.
 
Short Bio: Chris James and the Showdowns perform regularly throughout the Bay Area, having released a number of albums over the last 10 years under various band names including a quite successful stint as: Small Change Romeos. James has music in rotation on XM Satellite Radio, as well as San Francisco Local Radio Stations such as 107.7 THE BONE, KMUD, KALX, KCBS, etc ...and is eager to bring this latest album to the ears of new listeners. The Showdowns bring a feel good rock n’ roll vibe that carries a slight edginess, often reminiscent of nostalgic acts such as: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dire Straits, The Eagles, and Springsteen, but with a breath of fresh smoky bar room air.
 
--"James' style of writing is hard to deny as it rings of times and life situations we can all relate to. It's nice to see an artist and band like the Showdowns hold true to Americana roots while still giving you a rock and roll kick in the ass!" -Starita (President of the San Francisco Recording Academy Chapter)
 
Links:
-Album Promo Trailer Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWgaA58WDX4
-Hotel Utah: www.hotelutah.com
-Advanced Tickets: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/788761
-Bands:
www.chrisjamesandtheshowdowns.com
www.shotonmars.com
www.jessebrewster.com
 

Newest Release: Deepest Rivers, and a special performance at Starry Plough 

BRAND NEW Chris James and the Showdowns Release is a Brooding, Alt- Americana Single with impassioned vocals and expressive guitar work, listeners have been reminded of of Neko Case or Ray LaMontagne. Click on the pic to DOWNLOAD IT for FREE!

AND...tomorrow (Friday May 16th) is gonna be a fantastic night of live music ranging from Indie Folk to Rock and Americana at the Starry Plough 3101 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley CA !
9pm start / 8pm doors (only 2 blocks from ASHBY BART STATION by the way...)

the line up is nothing short of tremendous with special guests:  The Welcome Matt.  and headliner: PINE and BATTERY! (Back together again after a 3 year hiatus!) Looking forward to welcoming them back with a nice crowd and some raucous good cheer!

advanced tickets are only $6...HOLY SMOKES!
Get em now at this link before this show hits capacity! http://www.ticketfly.com/event/558285


 

Our new Single "Beautiful Life" realeases TODAY! 

Friends! I Can't tell you how awesome it is to let you know that our BRAND NEW SINGLE: "Beautiful Life" is being released TODAY, and you are among the first to hear it!

This is a song we've performed many times and is close to heart as I wrote it about the birth of my little boy,..
but...we have never really had a "professional recording" of it.......until now! (special thanks to producer Michael Starita, and mastering engineer Michael Romanowski for making the song really shine:-)

This release is absolutely FREE for you RIGHT HERE to download for a limited time...so please do that now and enjoy the new song!

and, to top it off....

TONIGHT! March 6th, We will be performing this song and many others LIVE at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco! taking the stage in support of our friends and fellow musicians: RubberSideDown for their 13th year Anniversary!

We are completely honored to be on the bill with them and best of all: Its a FREE Event (donations gladly accepted at the door to support the bands)
AND IT KICKS OFF EARLY at 7:30pm with songwriter: Etro Canova.

Chris James and the Showdowns will go on at 10pm SHARP!
RubberSideDown at 8:30

more details here: http://www.111minnagallery.com/event/rubbersidedown
and please join and / or share the Event on Facebook


see you at the show tonight, thanks as always for supporting, and enjoy the new single "Beautiful Life!"

ULUV Music Festival Sat. Oct. 26th 

This SAT marks the FIRST ANNUAL ULUV Music Festival and we are excited and humbled to be part of such an awesome event with an amazing local line up!
ULUV Music is a newly formed non-profit organization with the goal of reestablishing the Bay Area as a preeminent music destination. The kick off event, ULUV 2013, will showcase ALL BAY AREA BANDS and generate funds to support music-affiliated charities.

****CHRIS JAMES AND THE SHOWDOWNS PERFORM FROM 4:45pm-5:30pm****

Saturday, October 26th, 1pm doors, 2pm - 2am show
111 Minna Gallery (and Alley) in downtown San Francisco
ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Proceeds raised will go to support these amazing music charities - Music in Schools Today, Bread and Roses and Musicares

Hope to see you there!




 

ULUV Music Festival, Utah, and a Nice Surprise 

Friends and Music Lovers... It's Chris James here reaching out to say HEY and let you know about some exciting news on the musical front...

--First off let me tell me you about a Uniquley Awesome and brand new Music Festival that we'll be a part of happening right in the heart of San Francisco: the ULUV Music Festival  October 26th at 111 Minna Gallery and on Minna’s 100th block.

The event will feature 3 stages of some well known and amazing local live bands
as well as local art, food, beer and wine.
Plus, all proceeds to this donation based festival will be going to three music-affiliated charities: Bread and Roses, Music in Schools Today and MusiCares.


This is a first annual event and they really need your help to get it off the ground and running! Check out this link for this years line up and see how you can not only be involved, but also get cool stuff!


--In other exciting News the Chris James and the Showdowns latest album: LUCKY BREAKS has been chosen by the San Francisco Recording Academy Chapter to be nominated for a GRAMMY!! in the genre of Americana...WOW!! Thank you soooo much! Honored. Period.

Let's keep our fingers, toes and everything else crossed and hope we make it to the next level!
and...by the way, if you'd like to give that record a little listen in your free time, you can check it out here...


--And lastly but not leastly our next live performance will be a special FULL BAND ACOUSTIC show at one of our favorite SF Haunts the HOTEL UTAH on Sat. Sept 21st. Kicks off at 9pm.
So mark the calendars for that one as we can't wait to play for y'all again!
 
Thanks for reading, listening and most of all for your support. After all...It's you that inspires us to keep this Rock n' Roll boat afloat...

Cheers! and we'll see you soon...

Chris

Sweet Summer Shows Coming Up! 

Hey there! I hope you're having a great summer, and that you've made it out to see some awesome live music for part of it so far!
Chris James and the Showdowns have been ramping things up over the past few months playing some great venues all over the SF Bay Area, and we even managed to squeeze in a House Concert for charity, and a little gig at the SF Zoo of all places....fun times :-)

Coming up, we have 2 VERY SPECIAL SHOWS HAPPENING that we really hope you can be a part of!

First, is a full band ACOUSTIC Performance at the newly renovated IVY ROOM on San Pablo Ave in Albany THIS Sat July 27th from 9-12.

Second is the show we wait for all year to happen: THE 8th Annual PATIOPALOOZA! Rock show and FREE BBQ on the Outdoor Stage of El Rio (Mission @ Ceaser Chavez SF) Sat. afternoon Aug 10th, 4pm-8pm

I hope we can catch up at one of these events...you will most likely have FUN & DANCE!

 and...If you get a chance, stop by our FACEBOOK PAGE or WEBSITE and pick up some FREE music. We'll see you at the show...Cheers!
Chris



Ocean Side Shows Coming Up! 

That’s right! TWO FUN`OCEAN SIDE' SHOWS Coming Up, the Next Two Saturdays in a row!

This SAT. June 8th we'll be going ALL ACOUSTIC, ALL NIGHT for a rolickin’ good ole’ time at the tucked away and cozy RIPTIDE over by Ocean Beach (Taraval @ 47th) in SF.

And then SAT. June 15th, The Showdowns and I will be bringin’ the Full On - Electric- Get your Dancing Shoes ready vibe at one of our favorite Half Moon Bay haunts: The Old Princeton Landing! (460 Capistrano Rd. HMB)

Come on out, tell your friends, and let’s get crazy with this Rock-Americana by the Water thing...See you soon!








Grab some free new music of ours on the Web: chrisjamesandtheshowdowns.com/music
Like Us On The FB : facebook.com/chrisjamesfanpage

Bottom of the Hill THURS MAY 16th w/ Chris James and the Showdowns-Pebble Theory-Voodoo Switch 

Friends and Fans! We've got a great San Francisco rock show happening for you Next Thursday Night May 16th at one of the COOLEST MUSIC VENUES in town: Bottom of the Hill! (Missouri@17th Potrero Hill)

Doors at 8:30, Show kicks off at 9pm sharp

Featuring performances by:
Voodoo Switch (Funk, Jam Rock)
Pebble Theory (Progressive, Alternative Rock) &
Chris James and the Showdowns (Rock, Americana)

It's gonna be an evening of diversified musical styles from some of the Bay's hottest players...a little something in there for everyone's tastes...hope you can be a part of it!

Thanks as always for supporting live and local music...see you soon!

Special Acoustic Show Tonight at the Hotel Utah 

We've got a Special ACOUSTIC SET of MUSIC for YOU and it's happening TONIGHT, WED. Apr. 24th at the HOTEL UTAH! (4th St. @ Bryant) in San Francisco.

We go on EARLY at 8pm SHARP! (only $6 at the door)

Every once and a while, The Showdowns and I get to leave the guitar amps at home and perform some of our favorite americana rock songs and story-telling peices "unplugged" style. We are also looking forward to having a special guest drummer and guest Piano player with us this evening! Hope you can make it out!

Also on the bill, bringing the grit and true spirit of Americana Rock to the rest of the night will be:
The Whiskey Stones &
The Midway Delta

And...just in case you miss us this time around, no worries...Please the mark the calendars for a HUGE LIVE SHOW coming up in few weeks on MAY 16th at Bottom of the Hill!

See you soon. Thanks as always for your support

Cheers!