Mandolin player commutes to stay in tune with Corvallis music scene

CORVALLIS - James Wilson and his wife Lucia only lived in Corvallis for a short time before relocating to Sacramento, Calif., last fall.

But try as he might, Wilson just can't seem to stay away.

The 47-year-old plays classical guitar and a host of traditional celtic music instruments, including mandolin and tin whistle. In addition to solo performances, he travels back and forth in order to play in Corvallis' Poitin & Stout and Sacramento's Whiskey & Stitches, both traditional celtic music groups with a modern twist.

Earlier this spring he released an album of solo work recorded by Corvallis musician Tom Demarest. The CD titled "Music Fer Your Head" showcases Wilson's prowress on instruments from bouzouki to bodhran.

The Entertainer: What was the pull to Sacramento?

James Wilson: A job. I teach English as a Second Language at Cosumes River College.

ET: What keeps you coming back to Corvallis?

JW: I felt like I fit in here from the beginning, musically anyways.

One of the things my wife and I miss about being here is that whole sense of community that Corvallis has.

Had we not come up here for that brief period that we were here n an academic year, basically - I probably would have never gotten my instruments out of their cases. Now, I've had so many opportunities to play.

Frankly, I would just as soon live in Corvallis. It kind of fits my lifestyle, personality and interests. But, it's hard to pass up a career opportunity.

ET: How did you get hooked up with Poitin & Stout?

JW: I was part of the original core that Dustin (Herron) got together. He was the instigator.

He just mentioned that he was trying to get just a few guys together to play Irish music with kind of a kick, a punch, and would I be interested? So, I showed up.

ET: Has it been a fun group to play with? Are you hooked on it now?

JW: That is the main word: "fun." The tunes are great and they are part of my cultural background.

ET: What is your heritage?

JW: Both my parents were from Ireland. My mother was from Dublin and by dad was from County Mayo. He played button accordion and harmonica, so I always has a little bit of that background in the traditional songs which he knew. As a teenager. I got connected to jigs and reels and traditional music.

ET: That's not the kind of music the average teenager gets into!

JW: No kidding. At the time I got into it I was listening to Zeppelin and Yes and all those great classic '70s rock bands and I was also starting to get into classical guitar. Once I got into classical guitar, I got a little bit into the like Renaissance-style music and then through there a little bit of the Celtic stuff.

ET: What your main instrument?

JW: In Poitin & Stout I just focus on the mandolin.

Down in Sacramento, I do mandolin, tin whistle and tenor banjo in a band called Whiskey & Stitches.

ET: So you're the "utility" player with all the difficult to play auxiliary instruments?

JW: Exactly. If there is a band that wants to do something like that, along the edges of Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murpheys I can be the guy who provides the traditional sound to that.

I'm not really like a rock player or anything like that, but I can plug in the mandolin, so that helps me compete soundwise with the guitars and bass and drums.

I've been able to find my little niche I think mainly because I got connected with Poitin & Stout in the first place.

When I came up from Southern California originally, most of my instruments were just kind of waiting for me in their cases - lonely.

When I got the chance here, I took it. It's always been a blast playing with these guys.

We've had some neat opportunities, playing in Portland or at the Eugene Irish Festival.

There's nothing like live gigs to really crank up the energy.

ET: I was curious about your hat, because I see it in just about every photo that you are in.

JW: It became kind of a trademark. People get the impression that there is a cultural or spiritual preference, but I just like them.

CHECK IT OUT

WHO: James Wilson with Poitin & Stout.

WHEN: Two shows this weekend:

• 9 p.m. Friday, June 5, at Old World Deli, 341 S.W. Second St. (as part of the Corvallis Music History Project).

• 10 p.m. Saturday, June 6, Block 15, 300 S.W. Jefferson Ave., Corvallis.

COST: Both shows are free.

INFO: www.myspace.com/

jamesbrianwilsoncelttunes or www.myspace.com/poitinandstout or www.myspace.com/whiskeyandstitches.