Celebrating 25 years in the music industry this year, self-taught singer-songwriter Gareth James brings you his Tribute to CCR and Smokie, an unplugged show on 17 June at Die Bôrdienghuis Theatre in Wellington.
This humble yet passionate advocate for South African music celebrates his 25th anniversary in the music industry this year, after his passion for music was ignited at the tender age of 16.
He carries a cross for music and started his career in rock and transitioned to modern country music with a sound that transcends the sultriest bar. With his innovative fusion of country, rock, pop genre, James is proving himself a once-in-a-generation force of change in modern music and is far from pushing the envelope.
He received a Certificate of Nomination this year for multiple award designations: Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Vocalist of the Year, for the Eleventh Annual Production of Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards, to be held 19-23 October 2023 in Memorial City Hall Performance Centre in Marshall, Texas.
James’ tribute to legendary artists Creedence Clearwater Revival and Smokie will feature popular hits such as “Oh Carol”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Don’t Play Your Rock n Roll to Me”, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” and “Living Next Door to Alice”, to mention a few. It has been said of him that he has the ability to capture the attention of his audience and take them on a journey.
What inspired James to perform a tribute to Smokie is the group’s success as Europe’s top live band 43 years after their inception, with more than 13 Top 20 hits in the 70s, having performed to more than 20 million fans, having sold more than 20 million albums worldwide with “Living Next Door to Alice” having sold more than 10 million copies. To be Rock n Roll survivors is an achievement, but still being enthusiastic, fresh, totally committed and in love with music is a positive miracle!
James decided to include a Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, as their music is still a staple of the US classic rock radio airplay with 28 million CCR records having been sold in the US alone! The compilation album Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits, originally released in 1976, is still on the Billboard 200 album chart and reached the 500-week mark in December 2020. It has been awarded 10 x platinum.
James will also be joined on stage by Keith de Bruyn on cajon. He started playing drums at the age of 15 and has influenced many aspiring drummers. De Bruyn played with some of Cape Town’s top gospel groups such as New Birth and become a household name in Cape Town Gospel drumming.
Studying at jazz workshops opened doors for Keith, who has performed with top artists such as Jimmy Dludlu, Loading Zone and other artists in the USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, Bahrain and China.
As a highly respected and sought-after drummer, De Bruyn was part of David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen’s Kat and the Kings as well as all the “Aunty Merle” iterations.
The show starts at 19:00. Pizza and wine will be on before the show from 17:00.
Tickets at R180 per person can be booked with Jeanine on 061 156 5386.
