Born in Southeastern Wisconsin in 1983, Brandon James was raised on music. Brandon began playing guitar at the age of 8. Listening to aritsts like the Beatles, Eagles, Byrds, the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Creedance Clearwater Revival he was soon on stage with his first band, “Crossfire” at the age of 14.
After a short time and a few personnel changes, it became “Brandon James and Crossfire”. Their self-titled CD began generating much interest in Nashville, with Brandon and his father soon meeting with Joe Gallante and Renee Bell of RCA Records Nashville.
One short year after “Brandon James and Crossfire” disbanded he took the stage with his best band to date, “Brandon James and the Bandits”, now known as “Brandon James Band”.
Brandon
Tyler
Tyler began playing guitar in the fifth grade, but really became committed to music after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. He started writing songs at age 15 and has written over 200, some of which are played by the Brandon James Band. Tyler has been a fixture on the Milwaukee "Music Scene" since the late 1960s. He has played with The Tykes, Larry Lynne Group, Down Deep, The Balloons, Sky Harbor, The Bandits, and now, The Brandon James Band.
Tyler’s distinctive guitar tone is well known throughout the Midwest. Although very much his own sound, you can hear the influences of Albert Lee, James Burton, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and other guitar masters. His favorite player today is his son, Brandon James.
Tyler’s distinctive guitar tone is well known throughout the Midwest. Although very much his own sound, you can hear the influences of Albert Lee, James Burton, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and other guitar masters. His favorite player today is his son, Brandon James.
Chris
Chris got his first set of Ludwig drums shortly after the Beatles made their famous debut on the Ed Sullivan show. He cut his teeth on the sounds of James Brown, Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett in a number of R&B bands in the late ‘60’s. In the ‘70’s Chris played in some of the first country-rock bands in Milwaukee and Stevens Point.
In the ‘80’s Chris’s classic rock band, The Adults, layed down dance tunes at clubs throughout the city. In the ‘90’s Chris was the recipient of four consecutive Country Group of the Year WAMI awards with The Ricochets, and had the opportunity to open shows for many of country music’s hottest artists.
Chris has played professionally for over 30 years and is excited to have the opportunity now to play with one of the hottest young guitar player/ singer’s in the country with the Brandon James Band.
In the ‘80’s Chris’s classic rock band, The Adults, layed down dance tunes at clubs throughout the city. In the ‘90’s Chris was the recipient of four consecutive Country Group of the Year WAMI awards with The Ricochets, and had the opportunity to open shows for many of country music’s hottest artists.
Chris has played professionally for over 30 years and is excited to have the opportunity now to play with one of the hottest young guitar player/ singer’s in the country with the Brandon James Band.
Jim
Known as one of the finest and most creative pedal steel guitarists in Wisconsin, Jim Gennrich provides a unique sound that distinguishes the Brandon James Band from any country or rock band in town. Playing since high school, Jim’s passion for music is demonstrated by the number of groups he’s played and recorded with over the years.
He appears on numerous recordings and has played with The Nomads, Les Martin, Ridge Runner, The Ricochets and The Bandits, to name a few. In addition to pedal steel guitar, Jim plays acoustic and electric guitar with the Brandon James Band.
The band says, “He’s the only guy we know that can make that steel guitar sing whether he’s playing Merle Haggard or Pink Floyd – an unbelievable talent!”
He appears on numerous recordings and has played with The Nomads, Les Martin, Ridge Runner, The Ricochets and The Bandits, to name a few. In addition to pedal steel guitar, Jim plays acoustic and electric guitar with the Brandon James Band.
The band says, “He’s the only guy we know that can make that steel guitar sing whether he’s playing Merle Haggard or Pink Floyd – an unbelievable talent!”
Mike
Mike joined the Brandon James Band in October 2008 after ending a six-year stint with a Milwaukee blues band. After playing piano in grade school and clarinet in high school in Green Bay, he began playing bass in 1982 as a member of Granite, a popular band that played '50s rock music in the Milwaukee area for 10 years. In 1993 he helped form a band consisting of members of the Milwaukee Journal newsroom and his sister, who was a vocalist. That band, Hot Type, released in the mid-1990s a CD of original music and played gigs in the Milwaukee area for 10 years.
His biggest influences in music have been Glenn Miller, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Sue Foley and his parents. His biggest influences for playing bass guitar have been Felix Pappalardi, Jack Bruce, James Jamerson and, of course, that other famous left-handed Hofner bass player, Paul McCartney.
His biggest influences in music have been Glenn Miller, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Sue Foley and his parents. His biggest influences for playing bass guitar have been Felix Pappalardi, Jack Bruce, James Jamerson and, of course, that other famous left-handed Hofner bass player, Paul McCartney.
