Back in 2009 or so, I first started listening to the band American Aquarium. The album "Dances For the Lonely" had somehow found its way to me, and the sound was rockin, fresh, and with a focus on songwriting. I probably had, as a careless teenager with absolutely no money to my name, pirated it. Sorry BJ. Anyway, it was a lifelong affair and I have since kept close track of their releases, and bought many of them. So when I had the opportunity to go out to North Carolina and meet BJ Barham, I took the trip.

We met out where he lives, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The band was playing a festival at the college he dropped out of to pursue music full time. I wasn't sure what I was expecting to find. Sometimes you meet musicians you respect, heroes as they say, and they're a little underwhelming. You find them jaded, or spiteful, or proud, or just not amiable as you'd hope. Nothing wrong with that, of course. Everyone is human, even songwriters you love. BJ, however, turned out to be not only a genius writer, but an awesome guy. He made me feel welcome and inspired immediately, as he does with everyone around him.

I'm sure it wasn't always like that. Throughout the weekend I heard stories about less than stellar times, about drinking and dead-end days. But what I'd found today was someone with a good deal of wisdom, a devoted husband and father, and still a class songwriter and performer. We talked about finding success, about our favorite songwriter's like Adam Carroll, and just about life. I tagged along with him for the weekend, recording at his home and old haunts. I can't recommend the guy enough if you haven't listened, and if you have, well, you know how special this is for folks like us.

If you liked this field recording, you can check out BJ's other tunes on all streaming platforms and on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/7nSYc.... You can find them on Instagram at @americanaquarium.

Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, and Rusty Shackleford.

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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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