A veteran of the Winnipeg acoustic music community, singer songwriter and guitarist James Hickerson has written and performed at festivals, concerts, coffee houses and recording studios for over 25 years. As a founding member of the Easy Ts vocal group, he performed across Canada and the Midwestern U.S. appearing at major folk festivals (Winnipeg, Calgary, Hamilton, Owen Sound, Regina) the fringe theatre circuit and in concert. TV and radio appearances include CTV’s Canada AM, and CBC’s Morningside with Peter Gzowski.

In December 2003, James was featured in concert on CBC Radio Two Arts Encounters, in a program highlighting material from his much anticipated first solo CD, Sure (Lonesome Tracks), which was released in 2004. Backing vocals for the evening were masterfully delivered by singer-songwriter Darcia Senft, with whom James performs, writes and records.

James’ guitar style is an eclectic mix of roots styles and years of formal study. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance, and has studied classical guitar with Paul Hammer, Jeffery McFadden and Norbert Kraft. Along the way, James studied jazz guitar with Tim Cummings and extended techniques and improvisation with the legendary Don Ross. James is equally at home with finger picking or flat picking, steel strings or nylon, depending on the wind direction or moon phase. The mandolin, banjo, accordion (his actual first instrument) and piano are good friends as well.

It has been said that his voice was ‘born in the mellifluous curve of a cello’. It has a warmth and richness that stays with the listener long after the last notes have been sung. He brings lyrics (his own and others) to life with perfect nuances.

His writing style is that of a poet who sees and celebrates all of the wonderful and sometimes neglected details of life. Cornfields and bus stops and the cold, cold ground - all of these and more are treated with the respect they deserve.