Click here for details on The Big Blues Machine (Jim Adam & Steve Rinker duo)

He ain't young and pretty, but he can really sing the
blues


Big Jim's best instrument is his rich baritone voice, which lends him an attention-grabbing authority.  His skill at storytelling, emotional singing and the honest musicianship of his acoustic guitar with that right hand thumping the bass while strumming never fails to captivate his audience.
 


 

Enjoyed opening for legendary rock and rollers Edgar Winter
and Rick Derringer on New Year's Eve in Colorado Springs

 

 
After making an exception to my House Concert 'Jazz rule' by bringing in a Blues act, Big Jim Adam and John Stilwagen proved themselves highly worthy for our discerning Louisville crowd. They brought the house down with Jim's very intoxicating musical diversity. The sold-out crowd was clapping to the beat and thanked me very enthusiastically for presenting him in my concert series. Thanks to Amy Whitesell for the recommendation! Let's bring Big Jim back sometime soon!          -- MaryLynn Gillaspie
We've seen you many times here in the Springs when you were living here, and I must say your show Saturday was one of the best I've ever seen.  You really knocked it out of the park.  I should also mention that we got a lot of very high praise from those who attended the show.  It was ranked as one of the best we've ever done.  You have many fans in this area, and we should do it again sometime   -- Bob & Nikki Weizenecker / In Cahoots Concert Series
Big Jim Adam -- winner of the
2012 Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition

 
Review by Brian Turk from listenupdenver.com
The Blues and Brews line-up may not be as Blues focused as some veteran festival goers would like, but for every groan there are 100 cheers for what Blues and Brews has evolved into. The festival definitely proved it still has beer as a main focus, and the Acoustic Blues Competition that was also kept in the forefront. After Osborne, contest winner Jim Adams put the stank on it, and gave us some of the best and most authentic blues I have heard in a while. Mr. Dumm was blown away as well: ”This man definitely deserved winning the Acoustic Blues competition — We arrived to the strains of the standard “Come On In My Kitchen,” which would have made Robert Johnson proud. While the lineup for the fest was indeed amazing this year, there was a surprising lack of true traditional blues — and Jim Adams certainly did his part to remedy this fact. With a powerhouse voice in the vein of Albert King or Warren Haynes, and a strong percussive acoustic guitar sound, this guy deserves an invite back to the festival, this time with his full band.”
Big Jim Adam and John Stilwagen 2011
**International Blues Challenge Finalists**

Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen feel very privileged to have made it to the finals during the 2011 International Blues Challenge -- Solo/Duo Category. Thank you Colorado Blues Society for selecting us to represent you!
Big Jim joins up with Steve Rinker to form "The Big Blues Machine".  This is our first video.  Enjoy!