January 20, 2022 (Litchfield Park, Az.) — Today, the bluegrass balladeer James Reams released the single and video for “King of the Blues,” from his recently released album Like a Flowing River & Soundtrack Album on Mountain Redbird Music. “King of the Blues” is a deep song that talks about the bitterness of a man’s life who is sad at his broken palace with nothing to lose; however, he is the king, the king of the blues. The video is available now on YouTube and JamesReams.com. Additionally, the song is available at all major streaming and purchasing outlets.
“I love this song because most of life experiences involve relationships. When relationships are over, they can leave complete chaos. Songwriting is wonderful because it’s self-expression which naturally lends itself to a story like this about the end of love and following destruction,” explains Reams.
The album is the soundtrack for the critically acclaimed documentary film, Like A Flowing River: A Bluegrass Passage, now available on Amazon Prime Video. The album includes 30 remastered tracks plus a bonus track; many are unreleased with some live recordings. In addition, James Reams collaborated with his band The Barnstormers and with legendary banjo player Walter Hensley and seminal musician Tom Paley on this album that acts as a 30-year retrospective.
Critics applaud the documentary, Like A Flowing River, A Bluegrass Passage, and agree this is a monumental soundtrack album.
“Like all of James’ work, it is another magnificent album from a great entertainer, singer, and consummate storyteller,” Greg McGrath, Australian Bluegrass.
“James Reams is one of bluegrass music’s unconventional stalwarts, an independent and evocative visionary. Like a Flowing River & Soundtrack Album serves as both an introduction to one of bluegrass music’s most interesting purveyors and as a transitory capstone to an unconventional bluegrass journey,” Country Standard Time.
Like A Flowing River & Soundtrack Album was released to radio programmers worldwide earlier this month and immediately landed in the #1 and #2 spots on AirPlay Direct’s Top Album Chart. Additionally, music fans can stream or purchase at all major outlets, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Amazon Music.
James Reams and The Barnstormers are now on tour. Event producer Doug Tuchman, who was the first editor of Pickin’ Magazine and a DJ on NYC’s WKCR, says, “This is the best traditionally oriented bluegrass band in the area, bar none. They combine wonderful harmonies and instrumental back-up in a sensitive but energy-charged show.”
To book the band at your event or to get more information on James Reams and The Barnstormers, please visit JamesReams.com and on Spotify, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.