Del Rey and Samuel James

Dubbed “one of the greatest modern players of the metal-bodied resonator guitar” by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Seattle-based guitarist, singer, and American music scholar Del Rey is joined by Maine’s own Samuel James, an internationally-traveling storyteller, journalist and musician in the Black folk tradition.

Del Rey started playing guitar when she was four years old. At 13, she was immersed in the world of folk music, via the San Diego Folk Festival. She has tried to get a whole band out of her solo instrument from the beginning. This gives her music an interesting complexity, especially when applied to the ukulele. Rags, blues and tunes of the early 20th century are her specialty, even as she writes new music to add to the tradition — played along a fashion sense that would make Minnie Pearl smile. Del Rey has taught and played all over the world, and brings her distinctive finger-style approach to guitar and ukulele to her teaching DVDs on Homespun, Boogie-Woogie Guitar, The Music Of Memphis Minnie, Memphis Uke Party, and Blue Uke.

Samuel James is a musician, journalist and storyteller. As a storyteller, James has been featured on This American Life and The Moth Radio Hour. His other work with The Moth includes Mainstage storyteller, interviewer, Radio Hour host, and contributor to the books The Moth Presents: All These Wonders and the NYT Bestselling How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth.

As a musician, James has been touring internationally for more than fifteen years, performing in the Black American Folk Tradition. He has released seven albums, scored film soundtracks and museum exhibits. James’ award-winning songwriting has been compared to Leonard Cohen’s and his guitar virtuosity to that of Jimi Hendrix.

James’ monthly column Racisms can be currently found in The Bollard and his weekly newsletter Banned Histories of Race in America can be found on Substack. He’s also the creator and host of the podcast 99 Years, exploring the deliberate creation of the whitest state in the nation.