Colin James

This Canadian guitarist, singer and songwriter is Canada's answer to the U.S.'s Chris Duarte or Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Colin Munn grew up in Saskatchewan, listening to folk and blues. After learning the pennywhistle and mandolin, he quit school and worked with a succession of bands, among them, the Hoo Doo Men.

When he was 19 years old, he moved to Vancouver and joined the Night Shades. About two years later, performing under his changed name, Colin James, he was lucky enough to be noticed by the folks at Virgin Records, who signed him. James's 1988 self-titled debut was the fastest-selling album in Canadian history, and he followed that in 1990 with Sudden Stop, and Colin James and the Little Big Band in 1993. In 1995, James switched over to Warner Music Canada, and released Bad Habits. On Bad Habits, James is teamed with some good company: Bobby King and Terry Evans, Mavis Staples, guitarist Waddy Wachtel, Lenny Kravitz and former Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble keyboardist Reese Wynans.

All of James's albums are well-recorded affairs. The only problem is, he doesn't tour the U.S. very much, and spends most of his time in Canada. In 1998, he toured with Steve Winwood, Little Feat and Keith Richards; Colin James & the Little Big Band II followed a year later.