Country Bands

Purveyors of classic country, country-rock and roots music, Amarillo's (AKA Nick James Band) origin goes back to May 1980. Formed from members of two earlier bands, Amarillo played all over the Tri-State area.
In 1981 they recorded the Bob Dylan tune "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" and "I Need Your Love Tonight" for Desert Sun Records with Nick doing lead vocals as well as writing the flip side. In 1984 they recorded the old jazz song "Route 66" and "Born Again" for Desert Sun Records with Nick in the lead and again writing the flip side. (Both these records are quite rare now.) The group disbanded in 1985 with everyone going to different bands. Amarillo re-formed in 1992 for "a few dates" and decided to stick with it. 1995 saw the release of "You Don't Belong To Me", then later was released on Nashville's Stardust Records label. The title song written by Nick received airplay as far away as New Zealand and The Netherlands, as well as various states. Amarillo's music was often featured on Paul Bain's "Let There Be Country" show on WFDU 89.1FM.
In 1997 Nick was nominated by Airplay International for their "King Eagle Rising Star Award" in Nashville. Over the years Nick has been involved with groups that have opened shows for Larry Gatlin, Emmylou Harris and Waylon Jennings (twice), and Vassar Clements, the great country/bluegrass fiddler (twice).
Today the band features Nick James on bass and vocals; George Constantinou, veteran steel guitarist of many bands and the earliest Amarillo recordings; Ray Murphy, lead guitar and vocals who also has many bands to his credit, performing all over the Pacific Northwest for many years before coming to New York; and Jim Salacan on drums, who like the other members is a seasoned musician and has played all over the metropolitan area. This line-up has been in tact since 1999.
Amarillo has an affinity for incorporating "off-country" styles into their country music with touches of honky tonk, rock-a-billy, blues and R&B. The group is continually trying to please a wider variety of audience, yet maintaining that true country spirit.

Available CD's:
-You Don't Belong To Me
-Kickin' Back
- Out Of The Blue

Among other cities, Nick James and Amarillo may serve the following areas: Paterson, Newark, Jersey City, Clifton, Dover, Edison, Elizabeth, Plainfield, New Brunswick, North Plainfield, Basking Ridge, Branchville, East Orange, Englewood, Hackensack, Hillsdale, Mahwah, Montclair, Perth Amboy, Ridgewood, Teterboro, Union City, Weehawken, Westwood, Whippany, Barry Lakes, Awosting, Avenel, Augusta, Asbury