Press Page

Who are we?  

 Garrett James and The Wanderers are a group of young musicians with old souls from Tucson, AZ. We have a vast range of influences that have helped shape our sound. The band's music blends the soulful grit of classic Vinyl-Era blues, mixed with the raw energy of Cassette-Era rock 'n' roll, igniting fun, high-energy live performances.

Press and industry reviews:

 Exceptional Talent and Performance: Critics and local music hubs like Tucson Loves Music describe them as having "amazing talent" and a "strong" presence in the youth music scene. Individual members have been noted for bringing diverse influences—including jazz, country, and pop-punk—into a cohesive sound.

Major Competition Wins: A frequently cited milestone is their first-place win in the group category of Alice Cooper’s Proof is in the Pudding music competition. This win led to high-profile opportunities, including opening for rock legends at Coopstock 2026.

National Recognition: The press has closely followed their journey to the 2026 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, where they represented the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance and the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation in the Youth Showcase.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Comparisons: Local reviewers have specifically praised Garrett James as a "highly talented vocalist and guitarist" who performs "an amazing Stevie Ray Vaughan".

Professional Peer Support: Fellow musicians, such as the band Black Cat Bones, have publicly endorsed them, calling James an "amazing musician" and expressing excitement for the band's progression

Describe some of your previous experiences performing:

Fox Theater, OV Battle of the Band Winners, PVCC Phoenix Battle of the Band Winners, Sedona Blues Fest, Gaslight Music Hall, Southern AZ Blues Fest, Goodyear Music Fest

Describe some of your previous experiences performing:

Fox Theater, OV Battle of the Band Winners, PVCC Phoenix Battle of the Band Winners, Sedona Blues Fest, Gaslight Music Hall, Southern AZ Blues Fest, Goodyear Music Fest

2025--Alice Cooper Proof is in the Pudding Finalist/Dusk Music Festival/Dusk Battle of the Bands Winner/Oro Valley Battle of the Bands Winner/Paradise Valley Battle of the Bands Winner/ 2x 4th Ave Street Fair/Goodyear AZ Music Festival/Fox Theater/Southern AZ Heritage Blues Festival/Sedona Red Rocking Blues Festival/Goodyear AZ Rock the BBQ Festival--Jan 2026 International Blues Competition Memphis

2026--Recorded 3 singles / Jan International Blues Challenge Memphis TN, Rialto Theater, 3 MLB national Anthems, Westside Blues Phx AZ, Fox Theater,  Tucson Country Club, Coopstock, Scottsdale Bike Week, Tucson Country Club, La Rosa

STAGE ACCOMPLISHEMENTS: johmy A (Guitar) Teddy Zig Zag (Keys),