

"You sound like Bob Dylan," people often tell John Allen James, "except you can sing!" That makes no sense to him, either, "but everyone means it kindly, so I have learned not to argue."
John never intended to sound like anyone else. Unlike most musicians, who cut their teeth on songs of others, he wrote and recorded two albums of his own music before he learned his first cover song.
He does mean to write songs with heart and brains. One critic described his 2016 album Harder Roads as "timeless, enduring, yet also current and relevant." American Songwriter Magazine chose John and his song "Light of Day" for its Daily Discovery feature.
John played all the instruments except for drums and did all the production on his first two albums before enlisting the help of studio musicians for his 2018 release, Fire Sky. The songs begin with John and his acoustic guitar, "ripping myslf open and writing the devils down," and fans see that intimacy in live shows. John plays solo, where "I stand in front of strangers and set my soul to sound."
John never intended to sound like anyone else. Unlike most musicians, who cut their teeth on songs of others, he wrote and recorded two albums of his own music before he learned his first cover song.
He does mean to write songs with heart and brains. One critic described his 2016 album Harder Roads as "timeless, enduring, yet also current and relevant." American Songwriter Magazine chose John and his song "Light of Day" for its Daily Discovery feature.
John played all the instruments except for drums and did all the production on his first two albums before enlisting the help of studio musicians for his 2018 release, Fire Sky. The songs begin with John and his acoustic guitar, "ripping myslf open and writing the devils down," and fans see that intimacy in live shows. John plays solo, where "I stand in front of strangers and set my soul to sound."

Upcoming Events
Venue | Date | ||
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Front Porch Grill and Bart's Tavern
Tampa |
John Allen James LIVE at The Front Porch and Bart's Tavern!
Sun, December 3 5:00pm - 9:00pm |
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Captain Jack's Waterfront Grille
Tarpon Springs |
John Allen James LIVE at Capt'n Jack's!
Tue, December 5 5:30pm - 8:30pm |
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Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar
Sarasota |
John Allen James LIVE at Tarpon Bay!
Thu, December 7 6:00pm - 9:00pm |
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Catches Rum River Bar and Grill
Port Richey |
John Allen James LIVE at Rum River!
Thu, December 14 5:00pm - 8:00pm |
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Paradise Grille - Pass-A Grille
St. Pete Beach |
John Allen James LIVE in the Morning!
Sat, December 16 9:00am - 1:00pm |
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Niagara Tap
Largo |
John Allen James LIVE at Niagara Tap!
Fri, December 22 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
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Fiorelli Winery
Bradenton |
John Allen James LIVE at Fiorelli Winery!
Sat, December 23 1:00pm - 5:00pm |
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1916 Irish Pub Brandon
Brandon |
John Allen James LIVE at 1916 Brandon!
Sat, December 30 8:00pm - 12:00am |
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Catches Rum River Bar and Grill
Port Richey |
John Allen James Early New Year's Eve Party!
Sun, December 31 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
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Paradise Grille - Pass-A Grille
St. Pete Beach |
John Allen James LIVE at Paradise Grille!
Mon, January 1 2:00pm - 6:00pm |
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Fiorelli Winery
Bradenton |
John Allen James LIVE at Fiorelli Winery!
Sat, January 13 1:00pm - 5:00pm |
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Paradise Grille - Pass-A Grille
St. Pete Beach |
John Allen James LIVE at Paradise Grille!
Sat, February 17 2:00pm - 6:00pm |
Previous Events
Venue | Date | ||
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Paradise Grille - Pass-A Grille
St. Pete Beach |
John Allen James LIVE at Paradise Grille!
December 1, 2023 2:00pm - 6:00pm |
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1916 Irish Pub Brandon
Brandon |
John Allen James LIVE at 1916 Brandon!
November 25, 2023 8:00pm - 12:00am |
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Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar
Sarasota |
John Allen James LIVE at Tarpon Bay!
November 16, 2023 6:00pm - 9:00pm |
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Fiorelli Winery
Bradenton |
John Allen James LIVE at Fiorelli Winery!
November 11, 2023 1:00pm - 5:00pm |
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Catches Rum River Bar and Grill
Port Richey |
John Allen James LIVE at Rum River!
November 9, 2023 5:00pm - 8:00pm |
