Click on the link to hear more of Phil's recent songs www.myspace.com/bestears 

Feb to April
New gig on the 2nd Feb at the Nantgarw Inn Caerphilly;
Murder Mystery Weekend (with Music!) at Peterson S Ely and not able to finish the gig due to a complete loss of voice control!
Began a period where I was troubled with a cold/sore throat.  Did manage a few songs at the Princess Royal Theatre for a Charity gig with Mal, the Storys, Lorraine, and other friends but taking it carefully.
Interview at Swansea Bay Radio including new song Gand Slam Fever in celebration of achieving another 6 nation Championship!  Cancelled O'Neils due to further bout of sore throat! Just not getting over it.  Dr advised resting it so all gigs cancelled for April. Still required to sing in work though and when you talk for a living....!
First gig back in the Haywain.

Jan
The Gate on 11th, Charity Gig on the 12th and The Pelican on the 25th Jan

Nov to Dec
Besides playing a traditional yearly Carols gig in Peterson-Super-Ely and Bethlehem Life Centre, also played two gigs at the Peli too! 
Nice O'neils gig at the start of the month with Rob Ash on electric and joined by Jon after his own gig was cancelled!  

23rd Dec  The Three Golden Cups

Aug to Nov
The Pelican twice in August.  Who's hard up! 
Also played O'Neils, solo for the first set with Jon on for the second (after he'd finished his metal gig!)  Always difficult to set up, soundcheck and play on your own but worked a treat and really enjoyed.  Sept., a quiet month with the usual one at the Peli, although played at a friend's 50th!
October even quieter, getting away from it all on holiday in Malta but recording 6 songs on return for Radio Wales Show I'll Show you Mine. Broadcast on Sunday the 21st and included "Aberfan" as it was the 41st Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster.  A great night overall and a treat to catch up with Frank (Hennessy) and Amy (Wadge) again.  Become a regular spot with her now!
A couple of private functions this month as well and a new gig at the Haywain. Not earth shattering stuff but I still prefer to be out playing than not! 

March to July
23 March - Pembroke Town Hall support to Hummingbird.
06 Apr The Pelican
20th Apr Zac's Place Benefit Gig
21st Apr Another Benefit Gig at Tondu Cricket Club in aid of The Bridge
Further gigs at the Cups, The Pelican and the Glo Club in July

Jan to Feb
Decision to get more concert support gigs and less pubs meant a quiter start to 2007. Cancer Research Charity gig with Iolo in Jan and an electric gig in O'Neils in Feb with a full band.  A chance to use my refurbished 65 Telecaster put me in guitar heaven.
Playing support to Hummingbird again this time in Pembroke Town Hall. 

Nov to December
Usual round of gigs including the support gig below, Iolo and myself at the Cups in Southerndown, the Bear at Llantrisant with Jon, The Peli with Rob Ash and Carols at Peterson Super Ely!

Oct 2006
Support gig to Amy Wadge/Hummingbird on the 5th Nov! 

Sept 2006
Another holiday with the family.
MySpace Music site set up www.myspace.com/bestears  
www.RBcreative.net new look website.    
The Pelican this Friday

August 2006
The Pelican on the 25th!  
Sycamore Tree Inn canceled (daughter's 21st Bithday on the same date.) 

July 2006
Cross Rhythms reviewed Shine Like You and gave it 8 out of 10 stars.  Read the review at:://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/
Phil_James/Shine_Like_You/12635/ 

Shine Like You still getting air play on BBC Radio Guernsey, Jersey, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.  

June 2006
Portugal for a week on leave! 
Saw the Eagles at the Millenium Stadium  
Gearing up for the support slot with the Storys next week. 

May 2006
Booked to play Bryngarw Arts Festival 'Acoustic Roots' with the Storys on the 13th of July. Narrowly missed play list for the local Beeb Radio - but then so did Robbie Williams and a number of other names!
Saturday 7th May - Live appearance on Euron Griffith's Saturday Social

April 2006
Once Bitten being considered for airplay on BBC Radio Wales.  

March 2006
CD Shine Like You featured two weeks running on Fretwork, BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester.
Also played on BBC Radio Swindon
Honey Blue (Radio Edit) Spot Play Listed 106.3 BridgeFM.

Jan/Feb 2006
Dates arranged to play the Pelican throughout 2006. (Joined by Rob Ash for a session on the 10th)
BBC Radio Wales, submission of Honey Blue (Radio Edit) for play list consideration.
Play Listed from Feb 27th to 12th March!

Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec 2005
Restaurant gigs commenced at the Sycamore Tree Inn, Colwinston with Jonathan .
Relented on decision not to play noisy pubs! New venue  playing the Pelican, Ogmore By Sea. 
(Collaboration with alternating musicians ie Rob Ash and Andy 'Wal' Coughlan).
Saw the year out playing Zia Nina's restaurant, Bridgend.

May/June/July/August 2005
Revolution on the Road appearances.
Collaboration with local singer/songwriter Iolo throughout the Summer and Autumn with pub gigs, weddings and beer festival.
Summer Leave in Vancouver Island, Canada with appearance at the Victoria Folk Club with Rob Ash.
Church gigs around S Wales. ie Ebbw Vale, Porth, Bridgend etc

Feb /March/April 2005
CD Shine Like You released with musicians featured on album playing the launch.
Tracks from the album feature on 106.3 Bridge FM in January and February and a live interview with Chris Ball.
Meeting with BBC Radio Wales Programme Manager and news that Once Bitten has made the playlist!
Surprise discovery that Oxwich Bay and Honey Blue also made the playlist for Frank Hennessy's Celtic Heartbeat.
Subsequent decision by Radio Wales to playlist Keep Me Safe instead of Once Bitten.
Airplay on the Roy Noble and Chris Needs Shows with impromptu live telephone interview in the evening!
Decision to play only quieter venues when solo to focus on acoustic vibe.

Archive...!

Jan 2005
Final gig with Rhian and adjustment to playing solo (some support still from Jonathan!).

2004
Tour of USA churches WestVirginia/Virginia.
Regular gigs as per 2003 venues with the addition of Frolics and Rhondda venues.
Appearance at the Revolution Festival, the Pop Factory.
Invited to play a number of Wedding gigs through the summer!
Recording new material at Bridge Row Studio with Wal Coughlan.
Decision by Rhian to leave the band at the end of the year.

2003
Gigging at all good music venues in and around Bridgend. ie Careys, O'Neils, the Farmers, the Barn, the Wheatsheaf etc
Regular spot at the LLanerch Inn, Llandrindod Wells
Invited to play Porthcawl Beer Festival.
Promotional gig at the Peterston Super Ely Music Fest.
Hosting Singer/Songwriter evening at the Grande Theatre, Swansea.
Regular commitment maintained to Zac's Place, Church in a Pub

2002
Now playing as the Phil James Band with Rhian James on vocals and son Jonathan on bongos.

2001
TV debut on HTV's Zac's Place with series receiving good reviews.
Spring Harvest with Lorraine King
Mal Pope interviewed for 'Bigger Picture' Arts day in Cardiff .
Radio Wales CD promotion / interview and live performance with Mal Pope.
June/ July tour - West Virginia, USA
Radio Wales session with 'The Kings' on Owen Money Show
Award . . . !
Miss Your Kiss off This Way Up! gets an honourable mention in the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
"Miss Your Kiss was awarded an honourable mention in our 2001 competition! Only a small percentage of the thousands of entries received are recognised with this award...... We believe that it is very important for the Contest to recognise those songs that just missed being one of our 120 winning compositions. Despite the subjective nature of the adjudication process, our judges felt that your song was among the best entered into the contest." (JLC 2001)

2000
Summer tour of the Tri-State areas of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky in the USA
An acoustic set at Extreme World Rock Festival, Swansea.
An electric version of India features on the Zac's Place CD.
Two live sessions for Bridge FM and airplay on Swansea Sound radio.