James Sasser

James Sasser finds his home in Portland, OR; a city harboring misfits and castaways. It is a city conducive to his eclectic, rootsy songwriting style. The music world first saw Sasser in 1999 with the cow-punk band Junco Parker that fast became an underground favorite. He has been a part of the Northwest music scene ever since. His first album, "Southside of Sorrow", established James Sasser as the premier raising star of northwest country music and Americana. The album drew praise on euro-americana web casts and earned an honorable mention for best album for 2005 by Rootstime.

His first album, "Southside of Sorrow", established James Sasser as the premier raising star of northwest country music and Americana. The album drew praise on euro-americana web casts and earned an honorable mention for best album for 2005 by Rootstime.be Francois Braeken.

In 2006 the Oregon native returned with a self-recorded release, "The Melcliff". This second album expanded beyond his debut with a soulful and incisive recording that has more in common with 1960's folk-rock than country music. Now gaining attention from press in the US (Performer Magazine, Miles of Music), "The Melcliff" allowed Sasser and his band to play shows from Seattle to San Francisco along side a greater variety of acts, from indie-rock to bluegrass.

James Sasser's music has been featured in numerous compilation albums, videos and commercials that symbolize the northwest; Henry Weinhard's Beer, a Portland skating documentary, Northwest Kayaking videos, and more.

James Sasser's backing band, "The Giant Beat", is made of three other members of the Sasser family: Brother Greg Sasser supplies guitar playing and backup vocals. Sister Phoebe Osborn contributions bass and backups. Driving the beat is drummer Kevin Major, a mainstay on the Portland roots scene. Naturally a charismatic performer, Sasser brings his lo-fi recordings to the stage with an engaging style that separates him from the traditional folk standard.

"Dip Your Beak" is the latest album from James Sasser. It will be released in April 2009.