More about james
In Other's Words
"James Hersch has an authentic abiltiy to combine our lived human experience
with words and original song writing. His musical work melts hardened hearts
and evokes the soul to life. Not to mention, James' grace and humility as
a person solidifies that he lives what he sings. "
-- Pastor Rhonda Bostrom, Sheridan Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
"James is one of those very special and rare musicians
whose performances are about people more than music." -- Dr. Debra Lynn,
Chair of the Music Department at Manchester College
the career
by Peg Furshong
For over thirty
years acclaimed writer, singer and guitarist James Hersch has been
quietly building a repertoire of work that puts him squarely on
the edge of acoustic music's importance in North American culture.
James has a rare mixture of
straight forward musical talent, humor and sensitivity that allows him
to create songs that speak to what is common in all of us. James is one
of those few performers who allow his listener to experience his music
through intimate images which confront and celebrate today's human condition.
James, a native
Minnesotan, has eleven album credits to his name and has become
known for his story song releases "BackTracks" and "Innerweather" (strictly
acoustic, just James, his voice and his guitar). Hersch has been
nominated National NACA Coffeehouse Entertainer of the Year several
times and has been a finalist at the international Kerrville Folk
Festival. He is a 'Telly' award winner for his original soundtrack
for the 2009 PBS documentary, "Paving the Way: The National Park to
Park Highway".
Although James has a Bachelor
of Arts degree in classical guitar, his songwriting and performing styles
are eclectic and broadly appealing. While Hersch performs as a solo acoustic
artist, his music has taken on a life of it's own, deeply planted in the
minds of the thousands who hear him each year.
James' residencies
have become a useful outreach program among colleges and communities.
His reachwithme program has been honored with the Harry Chapin
Award for Contributions to Humanity by
the National Association for Campus Activities. Possessing a troubador's
heart, James is asked to talk and sing about music's power to gather
and connect.
More...
by Scott Jones
James Hersch is an artist who paints pictures with his songs.
His music invites us in as his words color the canvas...
A brush with true emotion gives us permission to look within.
Perhaps not a folk singer, but a man who sings for folks...
An artist who sings folks songs about themselves.
Their stories are his stories ... History in a modern style.
He tells us tales of days gone by and makes them come alive...
Presents from the past that will thrive in days to come.
His voice is warm, clear, and lyrical.
His guitar ... Crisp, deep, precise.
His songs speak of hope and hopelessness, of homes and the homeless,
of grandmas and grandpas, of memories dark and light.
He has the wholesome look of the paperboy and the lonesome view of a man on tour.
Now he's delivering nationwide, traveling to towns and colleges...
Learning life lessons while his songs are teaching theirs. Scott Jones
james hersch