Ross James

Today, we welcome Ross James onto the show! Born in New York, Ross James is a guitarist, bassist, pedal-steel guitarist, and singer/songwriter currently residing in the Denver Area. Since 2012, Ross has been a regular collaborator with Phil Lesh, and has shared the stage with many greats including Bob Weir, John Scofield, Dave Schools, Warren Haynes, Jim James, Stanley Jordan, John Mayer, and more.  He has been a part of a wide array of musical projects ranging from folk, to rock and roll, to metal. Playing with Nicki Bluhm, Cass McCombs, as well as the band Earthless. He currently plays regularly with Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band and Scott Law & Ross James’ Cosmic Twang.

Quotes:

Ross: Music was everything to me as a kid. I got my first guitar when I was nine & it took over my whole life. It was my artistic & spiritual outlet. I’d spend all my time playing it instead of doing homework. I knew it the path I was meant to be on the moment I started playing my first guitar. 

Ross: Psychedelics definitely helped me get into a good creative process in a lot of ways. It helps you get rid of ego, helps you open up & let the music flow thru you.

Ross: I got pretty lost in the psychedelic world, losing sight of reality, using them with out purpose as it just became a party. If you wanna grow, learn, expand, go for it, but don’t use psychedelics just to escape. 

Ross: For most of the last year, I’ve been totally sober when playing music which is a totally new thing for me, & in ways I feel ‘higher’ than I’ve ever felt. Looking at my past psychedelic use, I feel like I’ve gone thru the doors & gone down the hallways that I needed to.  Like I have the key and now can go where I need to go on my own, which is very empowering.

Ross: The moment I learned my wife was pregnant, everything changed. There was an instantaneous shift in how I feel, how I prioritize. I’m a bit of a chronic procrastinator and that flaw just started fixing itself, almost subconsciously. 

Ross: Food & music for me are equally powerful, such universally shared things.  Our tribal roots, sitting around the fire, eating, cooking, playing music, dancing—everyone has that in their shared ancestry, in their bones. There’s a spiritual element to eating & cooking for me, it’s a big part of who I am.