AWARD WINNING BAY AREA MUSICIAN BLIND LEMON PLEDGE PRESENTS A SHOWCASE
OF ORIGINAL BLUES AND AMERICANA ON HIS NEW ALBUM “A SATCHEL FULL OF BLUES”

In 2020, Blind Lemon Pledge (aka Bay Area bluesman James Byfield) released “Goin’ Home”, a spare and stripped down set of Acoustic Blues and Americana classics ranging from Muddy Waters to Traditional Gospel. With a slew of positive reviews, this album, which showcased Pledge’s musical roots, went to the top of the Blues charts, landing the #6 spot on the Roots Music Acoustic Blues Album Chart for 2020.  “A Satchel Full of Blues”, BLP’s ninth album, presents 11 original compositions and one cover song that reflect the influence of Blind Lemon Pledge’s musical roots.

Byfield has a lifelong love of music and penned his first song at age eight, launching his ongoing fascination with the magic synergy between melody and lyrics. In his early teens, he discovered a world of great music through the twist of his radio dial. The pre-WWII Country Blues, including the great recordings of his stage-namesake Blind Lemon Jefferson, Son House, Skip James and others had a huge influence on his early musical development; at the same time he also absorbed an influencing mix of Rock, Folk, Country, Jug Band, Zydeco and other genres, sometimes called Americana and Roots Music.

In high school, the young musician joined his boomer contemporaries in the 60’s Rock explosion. Over the years, he played in a variety of bands, as well as finding time to explore more exotic forms of music including jazz, a 5-year stint studying Chinese Classical Music and an abiding interest in electronic music and computer recording techniques. At one point, testing his compositional skills, he created the first ever Rock Music Mass under the aegis of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Ushering in the use of modern Rock Music in a liturgical setting, it received national press and was performed throughout California.

In 2008, following a long and honored career as a graphics designer and media producer, Byfield reconnected with his Blues and Americana roots, created the musical persona Blind Lemon Pledge, and began performing and recording under that name. The first BLP album, “Livin’ My Life With the Blues”, a mixture of original songs and blues classics, was self-recorded. Byfield soon found a market through the power of the Internet, allowing him to gain international radio play and a warm critical reception in the blues community. Through a series of well received recordings and performances, Byfield grew into the name Blind Lemon Pledge, trademarking it in 2015.

While fronting an eponymously named acoustic blues quintet, Byfield continues to maintain a two front musical career with public performance and solo records that often feature guest musicians. His albums have received international airplay and many critical raves. His original songs have won several awards and nominations in the Blues, Folk, Jazz and Gospel categories. He is critically praised for his ability to compose and record in a broad range of Roots based musical styles from Folk to Blues to Jazz and other forms.

BLP’s latest release, “A Satchel Full of Blues”, follows up the rootsy “Goin’ Home” with a collection of eclectic songs that highlight the lyrical and musical influences that have created James Byfield’s uniquely American songwriting style. From hard driving to soft and lyrical, the songs are a musical journey through the heart of American Roots Music.