Artists:James Filkins

James Filkins

I am a fingerstyle acoustic guitar player using primarily alternate tunings. My style is a bit new age and a bit just plain hard to describe. My first CD, Borderline Normal, was released in January 2007.

Playing guitar has been a part of my life for over 30 years. My brother got me started and I have tried to measure up to him ever since. I am relatively new to fingerstyle guitar. Somewhere back 2001 or 2002 I began to dabble with alternative tunings and quickly found myself headed down the path that has resulted in my CD Borderline Normal. In the process I have eschewed the plectrum and begun thinking about my fingernails far too much.

The tunes on my debut CD have evolved over the past few years and were recorded in our home in various rooms; A homegrown project all the way around with the exception of the mastering by Bill Wolf out in Virginia and art work by Glenn Wolff here in Traverse City where I also reside. I used my Mcilroy AJ25cx for most of the tracks with the exception of one that features my Simon Fay Prototype #5 and one that was recorded with a Martin 00016RGT ( For more information on the Mcilroy and the Simon Fay see my web page) The talented Matt Harting also chips in on a couple of tracks using a Larrivee LV-05. A few tracks also feature acoustic percussion performed by Jon Tornga, Marc Alderman and Michito Sanchez. read more.