Nanaimo-based blues guitarist/singer-songwriter James Vickers has been on the rise since the Nanaimo Blues Festival in 2022. The 14-year-old up-and-coming star received a unanimous three thumbs up from the judges at the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, performing on the international stage this past January. He has played all over Nanaimo, including opening for Myc Sharratt at Nanaimo Fringe Festival 2023, as well as performing multiple fundraisers around the island. This young musician serves the blues straight from the soul, and has an EP of original music in the works that you may hear in his debut at the BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival!