2010 Blog Entries
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Hello friends & Happy Holidays!
Due to good circumstances I will be canceling my Kickstarter funding campaign effective now. I have been blessed to have a benefactor come on board who will provide me with enough funds to get "A Beautiful Life" up and running. I still need to raise over $7k, but that is a lot more manageable than $15k!
I can still really use your support.
This project is going to take all winter, I am looking at a late spring release. I will be raising the remainder of the money independently through word of mouth and on my website. I hope you will be part of this album with me. You can still pre-order the album for as little as $15 dollars or become an associate producer for $100. You can have your name in the credits or you can even book a private concert or come and visit me in the Caribbean for a beachside show! I have a reward matrix similar to what was on Kickstarter already set up on my website that outlines all the incentives. Check it out at: www.justinjamesmusic.com
A BIG thank you to those that did pledge on Kickstarter (as you know you were NOT charged nor will be) You can now add your donation at www.justinjamesmusic.com/beautifullife.
This album will get done, for this is my life: Writing, singing, creating, touring. Nothing will stop me from completing this project. Your support means everything to me.
Thanks for sharing “A Beautiful Life” with me!
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I have decided to move to the Caribbean!
I am moving to the Dominican Republic in Nov and will be spending 3 months on the Island and 3 months on the road, back and forth. I will be focusing my tours around the E. Coast, Mid West, Europe & the Caribbean. I will always come back to California to perform. Too many good friends and good times here. It is just the right time for a change, I am beyond excited! I am leaving in Nov to Costa Rica for a few shows and some surf and then I will fly to the Caribbean. Don't forget you can always fly down and have a pina colada with me.
Yes...I will be recording a new album. I have been doing a lot of songwriting and I am hoping to release it in spring. My next email will entail how YOU can be involved in the recording of my next album. Everything from having your name in the credits to being with me in the studio. You could be an executive producer or get the chance to have a cameo in the music video. We have a very cool project we are working on so please stay tuned to find out how you can be involved. I am excited to share my new album with you and even more excited to have you involved in the production.
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Hello and a big welcome to all the new people that have signed up on my mailing list. Thank you for supporting me and making my life more exciting! Watching people signing up for my newsletter from all over the world is awesome. I hope to meet you all at a show someday.
First things first. My single "Perfect Sometimes" has been sent to Radio throughout Canada and the USA. Click here to see if your favorite station is included. If you want to hear me on your local station you can check out the request page.
On another note my album has just been nominated for "Best Pop Album" in the San Diego Music Awards. Check out the the nominations www.sandiegomusicawards.com/nominees.html The award show is on Sept 12th at Humphrey's by the Bay, if you're thinking of coming get your tickets soon. We can pre-party, after-party or maybe just party all night long. Email me if you want to go.
When I was on tour last summer in Europe I met an amazing artist. I heard her sing an original song & I knew other people needed to hear her. She flew to California and I produced her album, "Everything is Here" at my studio in San Diego. She is now creating a buzz in her homeland of Holland. I would like to introduce you to my talented friend, Angela Morya. Check out her youtube video and you can find her on Itunes here!
I have been back home in S. Cal for 6-7 weeks now, its the longest I have been in one place for a while. Feels good to surf my local breaks and finish up a few projects. I have been doing a lot of songwriting and am thinking of recording an acoustic album in the near future. Stay tuned.
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I just flew into Vancouver Canada and I love this city...So Beautiful!
My Hawaii tour was amazing - I met up with some old friends met some new ones. I Performed in Oahu, Maui & Kauai and had an amazing time and it was pretty cool driving around the islands hearing my song bumping on the radio. Thanks to all you guys my song has been climbing the Hawaiian charts and now I'm sitting at #11 on Clear Channel. Star 101.9
When I was in Kauai I had the pleasure of meeting up with Ukulele Underground. They asked me if they could do a video tutorial on "Perfect Sometimes" and of course I said yes... so check it out! "Perfect Sometimes" Ukulele Lesson.
After Hawaii I went to the Kiteboarding capital of the USA...Hood River, Oregon. My old buddy Dave picked me up at the airport, the last time we saw each other was 15 years ago on a beach in S. America. He was the first guy to reach me after I was attacked by the shark. I said to him "Dave... I'm going to die!...he said" I was a ski patrol - I know what to do...I won't let you die" I remember that as clear as day. So needless to say the two of us had a lot of catching up to do recounting the day I almost died. Dave now owns www.windance.com so anybody who is thinking about buying any gear! windsurfing - kiteboarding - snowboarding. Hit him up!
I would proudly like to mention my new endorsements. Along with Taylor Guitars I have now joined forces with: Nalu Ukuleles & D'Aadarrio Strings. I am extremely excited to be working with both of these amazing companies.
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The last few weeks I have been planning out my spring/summer and it is looking like a blast! I am leaving for Hawaii on May 3rd to tour all the Islands. I land in Oahu and will be performing on the N. Shore on May 7th and in Waikiki on the May 8th - Then off to Maui and Kauai for a few shows and I will hit up the Big Island before returning to San Diego. I only will be in California for 1 day (May 27th playing Hennessy's in PB) and then I head off to Hood River Oregon to perform and off to Vancouver Canada for a string of shows.
I will be back in California mid June. So if your in San Diego and want to catch a show... The time is now!
Looking forward to seeing you in Hawaii, Canada and in Oregon!
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Hellooooo
I am a writing you from Paradise. I landed in the Caribbean about 2 weeks ago and although i still have 6 more weeks here I'm dreading leaving.
I rented a little beach house w/ my good friend Corrine. We have this wrap around porch w/ a ocean view and the windows all have these little white wooden shutters for the storms.
I am the happiest here... for real.
I have locked in a cool little schedule - hit the surf in the morning and then off to spanish lessons at 10am. Then i found a cool cafe on the beach where the internet actually works all day long and I get caught up w/ some Biz. Then as the wind picks up in the afternoon I grab my windsurfer for a session before doing a little yoga on the beach w/ the sunset. After dark I grab my guitar and a cuba libre and either hit up one of the beach bars or chill on my porch singing to the waves. Not a bad way to pass my days
This island is truly one of the last untouched paradises left in this world. I literally wake up and there will be 20 horses running down the beach in front of my house! Last week I went on a surf trip to Playa Grande and I felt like I was in Jurassic Park.
It's very wild here but one thing that will always remain the same is that the Dominican people are the most warm hearted friendly people I have ever met. The western world could pick up a few tips from the Islands ... Tip # 1 Enjoy Life Everyday!!
Just before I left Cali I got word that McDonalds will be picking up my song "Perfect Sometimes" for rotation in their chain. I'm not sure if I will be hearing it first hand because that's not my restaurant of choice but it should be giving me career a boost & a lot of exposure & I might just have to hit up a Big Mac for gratitude. Not!
I also got word that Track 3 "Stay Close to Me" on my new album will be placed in CBS "The Ghost Whisper" on Feb 5th. Know sometimes these placements are way back in the mix and hard to hear and sometimes they're load and clear. So since I don't have TV or for that matter a McDonalds near by... Please let me know if you hear my songs.
It didn't take me long to lock in a bunch of gigs down here and I know most of you are a half a world away from me right now but... If you find yourself aching for a Vacation I will be performing at Onno's www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=710250851 and Jose Oshays www.joseoshay.com and Voy Voy's www.voyvoycabarete.com
I will be performing a Valentines show at the Aloha Cafe on the 14th.
I wanted to share w/ you a very cool story... as a artist these are the kind of stories that keep you going thru all the hard times.
Hi Justin,
Quickly, I just read your page on YouTube. VERY interesting, as I wondered about how you developed such a fantastic and carefree attitude. It was refreshing as somewhat outlined in your tune "California." The story of your moment with the tiger shark is rather inspiring. I understand that Facebook and You Tube and all the social sites can open up doors to weirdos; I premise what I'm going to say with I'm not one of those, rather one who likes life a quite a bit...
I made a decision, the summer of 2008, to move to move from Milwaukee, WI to Iowa City to seek teaching employment. I found a good teaching job and since things weren't working well in Milwaukee, I needed this fresh start. It was a good idea, however, troubles started after getting to Iowa City. My son Sam and I were playing on the trampoline and he inadvertently kicked me in the face. He didn't strike me that hard, but as I was trying to get up, things faded to black and I was taken, by ambulance, to the hospital. While I was there the staff insisted on a CAT scan to see what might be happening. After being brought back to my room, they informed me I had a mass in my head that didn't belong (my shark). I was quickly scheduled for an MRI to look at the extent of what was going on. It turned out it was a brain tumor and that I needed to have it removed. ALL of this, as you can imagine, came as quite a shock to me.
On October 1st, 2008, I was scheduled for brain-surgery where they removed a good portion of the tumor. The rest of the tumor lies in areas that run the risk of serious consequences if they would attempt to remove it. So, the long and short is that I am dealing with brain cancer. I will be meeting with the medical team again soon to determine the next steps.
The good news is that I don't feel sick. I don't look sick. But, truth-be-told, I am scared for my life as this all happens. That's why, last summer, I heard a song by you and decided to simply GO FOR IT and order the online version of "Perfect Sometimes."
So that's that... I appreciate your take on life and am glad I am able to benefit from your talent! Having worked in radio before becoming a teacher, I sort of understand the crap-shoot of music; my guess is the way you are doing things will serve you fine.
Kevin
I am happy to report that he just went in for a checkup and things are looking good at this time...
Well as you can imagine chasing a dream is not the easiest road but these new friends and these stories make it all worth while.
