Craig James is a drummer who was born on February 10th, which makes him an Aquarian Aquarius.
Joking aside, Craig started his music career in the Church Choir when he was 10 years old. He also started playing drums at about the same time playing mainly in the school pop band and joined his first professional band in 1978, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, playing drums and singing for The Mike Stewart Band.
1980 - Craig returned to South Africa and joined The Paul Ferns & Hansie Roodt Show Band (This band was the backing band for most of South Africa’s top recording artists of the time.) It was at this time that Craig started doing recording sessions as a drummer, playing on many hit singles and albums.
1981 - Craig moved to Pretoria and joined the very popularRiksja and made his debut on record as a singer, and playing on the album Riksja At The Zillertall.
1982 - Craig moved on to The Wild Coast Holiday Inn and played with Scottfree. A year later Craig & bassist Allan Rissik formed the band Rio. Rio went on to do very well playing the Holiday Inn Club Circuit.
1984 - Craig decided to break away and form his own band,Who’s News.
In the years that followed, Craig also worked with Soul Purpose, Brass Tacks, Sounds Brass and the Mauritz Lotzrock group, Razor. Craig was also involved with the Musical“Helen of Troy,” which was recorded as a double album, and Craig had a No.1 Hit with the love theme, "The Love I Had." He went on to have more chart success with the project, "My Anniversary." which produced the No 1 hit,"All Ways," and the Top 10 self penned hits, "Rock and Roll Hero" and, "One Life To Live." A year later the song,"Rain" was recorded as a demo and released as a solo single to radio, climbing the charts to settle at No 4. Interestingly enough, the song was never released to the public.
Who`s News still performs today and has recorded 5 albums having hits with, "Only Crying," and the Afrikaans hit,"Duskant Die Jukskei."
Craig is a sought after session singer and has sung on many jingles, and has performed on over 300 albums, recording lead and background vocals.
Craig owns the recording studio In-House Recordings. He has produced over 120 Albums reaching over 1,200,000 album sales.
Craig returned to the "Drum Throne" performing on the Blackie Swart Live DVD. This in turn prompted him to start the Live Stage Show The Legend Of The Eagles, where he plays drums and sings all the Don Henley tunes.
October 2007 - Craig was invited to America where he performed in Chicago and Nashville. He then went on to Los Angeles and watched The Eagles Live at the opening of theNokia L.A.Live Theatre.
Nashville inspired Craig so much that he returned to South Africa and recorded and produced his first solo album entitledThe Road Less Traveled, which was released to rave reviews.
Razor returned in April 2008 for a reunion concert and featured the original members,Mauritz Lotz, Denny Lalouette and Neill Ettridge.
Craig relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in January 2010 where he performs with the Nashville based bands, Blues Other Brothers, Sass, Retro Specs, 10 Most Wanted andTime Frame, performing at many high profile functions and Casinos. He also performs with the Hopepark Church Bandon invite. He performs as a Solo Artist for Shows, Corporate and Private Functions as well. He also finds time to continue his love of songwriting.
Joking aside, Craig started his music career in the Church Choir when he was 10 years old. He also started playing drums at about the same time playing mainly in the school pop band and joined his first professional band in 1978, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, playing drums and singing for The Mike Stewart Band.
1980 - Craig returned to South Africa and joined The Paul Ferns & Hansie Roodt Show Band (This band was the backing band for most of South Africa’s top recording artists of the time.) It was at this time that Craig started doing recording sessions as a drummer, playing on many hit singles and albums.
1981 - Craig moved to Pretoria and joined the very popularRiksja and made his debut on record as a singer, and playing on the album Riksja At The Zillertall.
1982 - Craig moved on to The Wild Coast Holiday Inn and played with Scottfree. A year later Craig & bassist Allan Rissik formed the band Rio. Rio went on to do very well playing the Holiday Inn Club Circuit.
1984 - Craig decided to break away and form his own band,Who’s News.
In the years that followed, Craig also worked with Soul Purpose, Brass Tacks, Sounds Brass and the Mauritz Lotzrock group, Razor. Craig was also involved with the Musical“Helen of Troy,” which was recorded as a double album, and Craig had a No.1 Hit with the love theme, "The Love I Had." He went on to have more chart success with the project, "My Anniversary." which produced the No 1 hit,"All Ways," and the Top 10 self penned hits, "Rock and Roll Hero" and, "One Life To Live." A year later the song,"Rain" was recorded as a demo and released as a solo single to radio, climbing the charts to settle at No 4. Interestingly enough, the song was never released to the public.
Who`s News still performs today and has recorded 5 albums having hits with, "Only Crying," and the Afrikaans hit,"Duskant Die Jukskei."
Craig is a sought after session singer and has sung on many jingles, and has performed on over 300 albums, recording lead and background vocals.
Craig owns the recording studio In-House Recordings. He has produced over 120 Albums reaching over 1,200,000 album sales.
Craig returned to the "Drum Throne" performing on the Blackie Swart Live DVD. This in turn prompted him to start the Live Stage Show The Legend Of The Eagles, where he plays drums and sings all the Don Henley tunes.
October 2007 - Craig was invited to America where he performed in Chicago and Nashville. He then went on to Los Angeles and watched The Eagles Live at the opening of theNokia L.A.Live Theatre.
Nashville inspired Craig so much that he returned to South Africa and recorded and produced his first solo album entitledThe Road Less Traveled, which was released to rave reviews.
Razor returned in April 2008 for a reunion concert and featured the original members,Mauritz Lotz, Denny Lalouette and Neill Ettridge.
Craig relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in January 2010 where he performs with the Nashville based bands, Blues Other Brothers, Sass, Retro Specs, 10 Most Wanted andTime Frame, performing at many high profile functions and Casinos. He also performs with the Hopepark Church Bandon invite. He performs as a Solo Artist for Shows, Corporate and Private Functions as well. He also finds time to continue his love of songwriting.
