Jamesfox.biz

As we reach another milestone with the Eighth Anniversary of jamesfox.biz, we recap on what has been another busy year for James. Unlike last year though, there have been lots of opportunities for fans to catch up with James while he has been touring all over the country, not only in England and Wales, but even up to Scotland and across both to Belfast and Dublin in Ireland.

As we celebrated the last anniversary, James had just announced that he had been cast in the role of "The American" in Chess. He was well into rehearsals ready to set off on a six month UK tour with the show at the beginning of September. The show got off to a great start and great reviews with several site members able to join him and support him on the opening night in Newcastle.

This year Chess has been the main focus for James. As he travelled from town to town, he was joined by site members at most mainland venues who came back to report amazing performances and fantastic crowd reactions to both the show and James portrayel of the role. He was singled out for praise by both theatre goers and critics, and Pity The Child was named by so many as the highlight of the show. It is no surprise, he gave phenomenal performance of the song, both in the soft and emotional start to the song, gently accompanying himself with his guitar, through to the climax when the anger and frustration had his strong voice filling theatres and holding that note for what seemed like forever! He certainly made the role his own, depicting the many shades of Freddies character perfectly, at the same time being able to let some of his own sharp wit and sense of humour show through. The show itself was much acclaimed and subsequently nominated for a What's On Stage Award, deservedly walking away with the honours of " Best Regional Production" in February. This was a thrill for James and the rest of the cast.

While Chess has taked up a lot of the year for James, during the breaks over Christmas and during the summer, he has taken every opportunity to get back to what he loves doing best, entertaining the British troops. In January he was in Cyprus, and the summer break has allowed him to go back to the warzone of Afghanistan with further returns to Cyprus, he's actually there now as we celebrate the anniversary back home without him.

There have beeen two other occasions this year where James has spent his night off from treading the boards with Chess stepping on the stage of the West End. In October he was invited to perform at the Apollo Theatre's 80th Birthday Gala in Victoria, where some site members were lucky enough to witness him sit at a piano and play a few Billy Joel songs for a packed theatre. This was a special night of memories as it was the same theatre where James had wowed audiences as he performed as "Piano Man" in the musical "Movin Out" back in 2006. James second night on a West End stage was in March at the Stand Up For St Josephs charity event at the Leicester Square Theatre. It was a night of comedy with James providing a short acoustic musical interlude in each half of the show. He was sharing the stage with a number of his friends who had aslo performed with him for the Combined Services Entertainment (CSE). He only performed 4 songs on the night, but the rare opportunity to see james just relax and perform as himself was a treat for those able to be there with him.

Aside from the performing, back in September James was thrilled when his good friend and former World Champion, Mark Williams, chose Higher as his walk on music. it was so good to hear James voice ringing out around the venues, singing one of his own songs, knowing it was being broadcast into living rooms of snooker lovers all around the country and across the world.

Despite a heavy touring schedule, james still continued with his song writing and between Chess and CSE commitments, has been busy in the studio writing and recording for his new album, which he says will be piano based so we will be in for a real treat.

As we enter our 9th year, James will be returning to the UK and back in rehearsals ready for a 6 weeks run in Totonto late September. This will present new challenges working with a few cast changes. When he gets back, he will return to the studio and we can start to look forward to a new album of James Fox original music, which he hopes to release in the Spring of next year.

Happy 8th Anniversary to all at Jamesfox.biz! Here's to a happy and successful year ahead.