NATHAN JAMES & THE RHYTHM SCRATCHERS
"WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT"

# OF TRACKS: 14 / RELEASE DATE: 03/20/12 / CATALOG #: DGPCD151

MUSICIANS
Nathan James: vocals, homemade Washtar Gitboard, 3 string Tri-tar, Bari-tar guitars, washboard scratching sounds
Troy Sandow: upright bass, fender bass, harmonica, background vocals
Marty Dodson: drums, percussion, background vocals
James Harman: vocals, harmonica (Track 7)
Jonny Viau & Archie Thompson: tenor and baritone saxes (Tracks 11, 12)

DESCRIPTION

"One of the only guys in the world that can really play the traditional stuff right." – Kim Wilson

"Of the 65 or so great guitar players I've had in my band, since the early 60's, Nathan James is easily the A#1 hands-down stand-out!" – James Harman

"Nobody else these days plays so many styles so well…" – Rick Holmstrom

Never one to follow convention, and always one to think for himself, Nathan James has created a musical identity with his homemade instruments and self-taught skills. Whether you catch Nathan as his true one-man band pickin' and scratchin' on his own invention of washboard guitar, stomping out time on his custom suitcase drum set while singing and blowing harmonica or kazoo; or leading his new trio, you are sure to be moved and impressed with the unique energy and soul that he possesses. Nathan James is a well-respected and experienced artist in his field. For 15 years now, he has successfully made his living touring and recording, solely specializing on his passion of blues and American roots music.

Starting his career as a full-time gigging musician at age 18, Nathan is no stranger to live performance. Local San Diego blues bands the Blues Pharaohs and Billy Watson gave Nathan a chance to get his feet wet with enough local gigs to support himself literally a month after graduating high school. This led to also working with well-known Southern California blues acts Jamie Wood and Johnny Dyer. At age 19, Nathan got the call from internationally renowned blues veteran James Harman to join his band and tour the country. Under Harman's watchful eye is where Nathan gained the experience that has shaped most of his own career. After touring and recording nonstop with Harman for 3 1/2 years, Nathan decided to have a go at literally a solo career - that is playing one-man, acoustic-based blues. This was instantly successful, leading to playing over 30 gigs a month at times. With the strain of always carrying the entire show himself, Nathan eventually teamed up with harmonica player/vocalist Ben Hernandez, a like-minded young blues roots aficionado, and together they started working as a duo. In 2007, they entered the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, and took 1st place! Over the course of his career, Nathan has often worked with many other well-known artists including Kim Wilson, Pinetop Perkins, Billy Boy Arnold, Lazy Lester, Janiva Magness, Rick Holmstrom, Mark Hummel and Gary Primich.

On What You Make Of It, his first-ever national release for Delta Groove Music, Nathan James & The Rhythm Scratchers have forged a cumulative sound that combines elements of 1920's acoustic blues, amplified juke joint hill country, and 1950's uptown blues mixed with 1960's soulful R&B. Influences range from Tampa Red, to B.B. King, to James Brown and the Famous Flames. With backing support provided by Troy Sandow (upright and Fender bass, harmonica) and Marty Dodson (drums), this is not your average blues power trio that leans towards the much abused "blues rock" formula. Instead each member in the band knows all the nuances of the different feels and tones, in addition to bringing with them an original and fresh, new energy that comes from musicians of a much younger generation. Add to the mix Nathan's exclusive homemade instruments, including the Washtar Gitboard and Tri-Tar, plus a special guest appearance by the one and only James Harman, and you've got all the ingredients for one truly innovative and trailblazing American roots album that is destined to set the music world on its ear!

CREDITS
Executive Producer: Randy Chortkoff • Produced by Nathan James • Recorded, engineered, and mixed by Nathan James (Sacred Cat Studios Oceanside, Ca, Fall 2011) • Assistant Engineers: Kevin Spencer & Eva Holland • Mastered by Ryan Foster (Freq Mastering Portland, OR) • Artwork and Design by Joshua Temkin (www.joshuatemkin.com) • Photography: Peggy Derose (cover photo) Bryan Snyder (band photo) Joan Martinez & Lluís Ridao (live photos) • Liner Notes by Nathan James • Radio by Steve Dixon • Retail by Jeff Fleenor • Delta Groove Legal Affairs by Malcolm Wiseman