James Higgins, Charlie Baker, Donald Denney, Justin Erickson, Phil Sottile
Influences
I admire the works of JJ Cale, early Rolling Stones, Neil Young, AC/DC, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolff, Little Walter, Nina Simone, Michelle Shocked, Peggy Lee, Willie Dixon, Steve Earle, T-Bone Burnett, Townes Van Zandt.
James Higgins and The Muddy Boots.
James Higgins and the Muddy Boots Band began playing together in May 2008 and realized that they had something special: an infectious musical chemistry that even fans can't help but notice and tap their feet to. The band immediately began performing in and around Bellingham last summer and have been gigging regularly throughout the winter. Their repertoire has been described as infectious, fun, upbeat blues and folk with environmental and political undercurrents, danceable and family-friendly - irresistibly raw folk, rock, and blues brewed in Scotland, bottled in America!
Band leader and singer/songwriter James Higgins, a native of Scotland, spent years traveling throughout continental Europe playing music on the streets, in pubs and at festivals. In addition to his own songs, Higgins also has an endless repertoire of cover songs ranging from Scottish/Irish traditional to acoustic folk, rock and blues a la Neil Young, JJ Cale, Rolling Stones, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, to name just a few. During those years, he played almost every corner of the Continent before moving to the Pacific Northwest. Along his winding route he wrote a huge repertoire of songs and drew countless sketches of the places and faces he passed. His music is a blend of steam-rolling, hobo blues and haunting folk melodies that often reflect his life and thoughts on the road. James Higgins drifted into Bellingham some years ago, where he bumped into the members of the Muddy Boots Band. They are Donald Denney on Bass, Charlie Baker on Guitars & Vocal Harmony, and Justin (TREE) Ericson on Drums. Together they take Higgins's naturally spooky sound and imprint it with their own infectious muddy stomp. James Higgins currently has eight CDs available through www.cdbaby.com. To see videos and hear clips, please visit www.myspace.com/jhmbb and www.jameshigginsmusician.com.
CD Releases:
Though the band has not yet released their own CD, Higgins has several CD releases which include: Crawling out the Woodwork, The Sad Heart of Verdun, Drop in a Fall, Passing Story, Verse Chorus Train, Summair (Scottish and Irish ballads), Neilston, and Driftwood (his most recent). Most of these releases are available at http://cdbaby.com/all/jameshiggins.
More info on the Muddy Boots:
{ Donald Denney } :
- ace fighter pilot, escapologist and stunt man. Action movies include, Driving Miss Daisy and Steel Magnolias.
{ Charlie Baker }:
- First man ever to traverse the USA on a Frisbee whilst whistling the entire Neil Young repertoire. He would have done it on a boomerang but said he had no intention of coming back
{TREE} {Justin Ericson }:
- Winner of the Death Valley Angler of the year award three years in a row.
In 2006 he caught a rusty tin of sardines. 2007 he landed a fossil. In 2008 he caught a fine pair of Muddy Boots.
James Higgins And The Muddy Boots Band's Friend Space (Randomized)
James Higgins And The Muddy Boots Band has 143 friends.
thanks for the friendship. you're making some gtreat wooden music!!! particular favorites (in no particular order . . .) were "Automatic pilot" and "Kitty Jasmine". Great songs, as are all of them. I really enjoyed your take on one of my favorite songs :"Spoonful". JKeep making your great music and be well.
