The Story So Far....

Thanks for your interest in me. I'm a lifelong musician and there's a lot I could say, but here are the highlights.


I took piano lessons from ages 7-18 with the same wonderful teacher, and loved Classical music. My heroes were Beethoven and Handel and I dreamed of being a great composer. (I used to “air-conduct” Beethoven’s 9th symphony.) Senior year of high school I won some scholarships and competitions, seemingly on track to a conservatory education.


However, my teenage urges to “ROCK!!” had grown strong. I started guitar lessons at 16. Van Halen and Metallica became my new heroes. Dreams of symphonies became dreams to form the next great Heavy Metal band. I took that ambition to Berklee College of Music as a guitar major.


I loved Berklee and built on my Classical background with Jazz harmony, Pop songwriting and fingerstyle guitar. I graduated in 2004 with degrees in Performance and Music Business.


Post college I spent a lot of time in different bands, but always writing on my own too. I became a student of songwriting, while continuing to compose for guitar and piano. Over the years my solo work has replaced bands.


My first official release was the vocal single "Wait For Me" in 2014. I wrote it for my girlfriend when we were dating long-distance. (She did wait and now we're married.)


That same year I took first prize in Fingerstyle Guitar at the Topanga Festival in California. It was a nice little win for a self-taught fingerstyle player.


I released my first full album, Solo Piano Destruction, in 2015. The title was meant to send a bold message that this was not another New Age piano album. There was Classically inspired finger-busting to balance out the ballads. (Nothing against New Age music, but I don't want to be stuck in that genre). It received positive reviews:


"James has something very different to say here, and has created a great piece of art.” - Enlightened Piano Radio (full review HERE)


“…Woolwine has an expressive touch that conveys a variety of moods and tonal colors.” - MainlyPiano.com (full review HERE)


“...an album that fans of the genre will be eager to make part of their collection.” - One World Music Radio (full review HERE)


In 2017 that album was a finalist in the Enlightened Piano Radio Awards. It didn't win, but I got to perform at the Grand Ole Opry which was very cool. Here's a picture of me outside:

In 2018 some of those songs earned me a semi-finalist position in the American Prize Competition.


For my second album I wanted to finally showcase my guitar playing. Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar was released in 2018 and also received positive reviews:


“...enjoyable listening for anyone who likes solo acoustic guitar music.” - Minor7th.com (full review HERE)


“…beautiful, with flowing melody and intricate finger work. If you enjoy acoustic guitar that’s a little different be sure to check this one out!” - MainlyPiano.com (full review HERE)


“A master Composer/Guitarist and a gem of an album…James Woolwine is a wonderfully talented musician with an ability to look back to the classics and forward to the present to create amazing musical compositions, performed with virtuosity and deep emotion.” - one of my fans (Thanks MB!)


The release of that album coincided with the birth of my twins. I also began exploring music for television. The next several years were primarily about parenting and writing songs in dfferent genres; but I never stopped writing for myself either. 


Now, I'm sitting on several albums worth of unreleased music, instrumental and vocal. I haven't decided what to record next. I'm very proud of the new piano and guitar compositions, but I've never really showcased my songwriting as an artist. (Do you, dear Reader, have a suggestion?) Regardless, I intend to create instrumental and vocal music equally.


Most importantly, I want to use my music to make a positive difference in the world!

Copyright 2024 - jameswoolwine.com

Your cart is empty Continue
Shopping Cart
Subtotal:
Discount 
Discount 
View Details
- +
Sold Out