Jeremiah James Gang, Idaho's top-selling honky tonk/outlaw country band, will perform at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12, at the Other End, 1223 N. Highway 40, Heber City. Based in Boise, Idaho, Jeremiah James performs frequently in Idaho and surrounding states. Solo or with his Gang, he has opened for and/or shared the stage with Robert Earl Keen, The Gourds, Dale Watson, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, Micky and the Motorcars and many others. Jeremiah’s second album, “Idaho Cowboy,” was the No. 1 local release of 2008 at the Record Exchange, Idaho’s largest independent record store, and finished among the store’s Top 10 overall sellers for the year. His fans include alt-country hipsters, ten-gallon old-timers, mainstream country listeners and music lovers who otherwise pay no attention to country and roots music. To hear live and studio recordings, download photos, read a full bio and press quotes, etc., access the Jeremiah James Gang’s electronic press kit at sonicbids.com/jeremiahjamesgang. Visit the Gang at jeremiahjamesgang.com, myspace.com/thejeremiahjamesgang, facebook.com/jeremiahjamesgang and twitter.com/jjamesgang. ABOUT THE JEREMIAH JAMES GANG Idaho's top-selling honky tonk/outlaw country band, the Jeremiah James Gang is an electrifying live act with a genuine affinity for country music's storied tradition and naked honesty. Everyone from ten-gallon old-timers to alt-country hipsters agree that the Gang wrangles up a rollicking, foot-stompin’, boozy good time, whether on an open-air mountain stage or crammed in the corner of a dank city bar. Jeremiah’s music is “a new take on an old style,” as he likes to say, and it’s the sound of a young man who has studied his record collection and connected the dots — one who understands why the Clash were into Cash, why Hank Williams I, II and III all kick ass in their own way, and why the Stones were at their best when they were hanging out with Gram Parsons in the early ’70s. Drawing heavily from his rough-and-tumble past, Jeremiah’s original songs are honest and real, peppered with humor and nods to the honky tonk past. “My music is about going back to the basics,” Jeremiah says. “It’s an attitude. It’s about finding yourself in a barroom singing real songs — drinking songs, love songs, depressing songs. It’s not about the style-over-substance industry of cool. We’re the opposite of that on purpose.” Together just a short time, the current incarnation of the Jeremiah James Gang is already a well-oiled machine, a collection of shit-hot players who spend more nights of the week on stage than they do off. Led by Jeremiah James on vocals and rhythm guitar, the Gang is rounded out by “Shakey” Dave Manion, the honkiest, tonkiest picker in Idaho, on pedal steel and Telecaster; “Mild” Bill Parsons, one of Pinto Bennett’s Famous Motel Cowboys, on doghouse bass; Ben “Tank” Brault on drums; and Tony “Digger” Lemmon on fiddle and backing vocals. They currently have a hangover in Boise, Idaho. Solo or with his Gang, Jeremiah has shared the stage with a diverse cast of ramblin’ men and women, including Robert Earl Keen, The Gourds, Dale Watson, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, Micky and the Motorcars, Western Underground, Eilen Jewell, Shooter Jennings and Paula Nelson. ASSORTED FACTS AND PRESS QUOTES Place of birth: Alexandria, Louisiana. Jeremiah’s father was stationed at England Air Force Base at the time. Roots: North Dakota, Idaho and parts in between. First guitar: Martin D-16. It was shattered by an ex-girlfriend and later repaired, only to be stolen last year. Favorite beer: Miller Lite Favorite whiskey: Jim Beam Favorite Stones album: He goes back and forth between Let it Bleed and Exile on Main St. Jeremiah’s second album, Idaho Cowboy, was the top-selling local release of 2008 at Idaho’s largest independent record store, the Record Exchange, and finished among the store’s Top 10 overall sellers for the year. One week in June 2008, he beat out Coldplay for the top-selling album. And Idaho Cowboy is still moving copies. “Jeremiah James didn’t design it this way. He picked up a guitar in his mid-20s and tapped into a natural talent without plans to cash in on a new generation of country appreciators. His chops just happened to blossom as young tastemakers ditched their whiny pop-punk albums for classic Johnny Cash and Whiskeytown. James’ take has an outlaw-swagger vibe that carries huge crossover appeal for long-time traditionalists and recent converts alike.” — Jamie Gadette, Salt Lake City Weekly “Long hair tucked under a ball cap, cigarette dangling from his lower lip, Jeremiah James has shown promise on stage as Boise’s answer to the outlaw-country wanderer.” — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman “Not only because it was a Wednesday but also because it was the day after Christmas, I expected the place to be quiet enough to hear tumbleweeds rolling. When I arrived, the joint was rocking and there wasn’t a single damn place to sit. I had forgotten that Jeremiah James plays at Pengilly’s Wednesday nights and realized I might as well get used to standing. Jeremiah James draws a crowd on just about any stage he takes to. His unique style pays homage to country roots but has a firm hold in rock. His honest songwriting, coupled with his bourbon-and-cigarette voice, makes listeners feel as though they’re hearing a classic Americana song even if it’s the first time James has ever played it.” — Amy Atkins, Boise Weekly