NEW ALBUM!

Good Water Safe Camp (Remastered)

James Dean Cotton

This album contains nearly four years of writing some of my most personal songs. Several are tributes to great people. Others, tributes to great memories. There's an environmental thread. There’s tragedy, travel, death, despair, love and hope and it won’t be long until they give way to updated versions and the things we so cherish simply become
This album contains nearly four years of writing some of my most personal songs. Several are tributes to great people. Others, tributes to great memories. There's an environmental thread. There’s tragedy, travel, death, despair, love and hope and it won’t be long until they give way to updated versions and the things we so cherish simply become The Faded Black and White. That’s how it’s always been.
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Albums

Basement Songs (2019-2021)

James Dean Cotton

"Basement Songs (2019-2021)" was recorded in my basement studio. These songs were written during isolation and cover a range of topics, from managing online excess to managing my own emotional state; from sadness to nostalgia to hope. See if they connect for you.
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james dean (2020)

James Dean Cotton

Picking up the pieces of the various single releases, this album has various themes, but maybe the most pervasive is SURVIVAL, and all the extremes we go to to ensure it.
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Blue | Green (2018)

James Dean Cotton

All songs were written while living in the Pacific Northwest, most within the past year, a couple many years ago. I enjoyed making this album so much. I hope you enjoy hearing it.
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Singles

The Same Boat (remix2)

James Dean Cotton

The original release was only vocals and piano, but this song needed to be bigger. Besides the solo vocals, this arrangement contains piano, two cellos, bass, acoustic guitar and drums. Just seems to fit better.
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One Way Ticket Home

James Dean Cotton

I started the lyrics for this song as I was packing to go home to Missouri to be with my dad during his last days. I didn't know how long I would be there, just that I'd be there to the end. And though I'd traveled a lot, I'd never bought a one way ticket. It felt so final.

I stayed two weeks. Saw dad through to the end. This song is dedicated to
I started the lyrics for this song as I was packing to go home to Missouri to be with my dad during his last days. I didn't know how long I would be there, just that I'd be there to the end. And though I'd traveled a lot, I'd never bought a one way ticket. It felt so final.

I stayed two weeks. Saw dad through to the end. This song is dedicated to him.
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California Burning

James Dean Cotton

The Camp Fire wildfire of 2018 devastated the California towns of Paradise, Magalia, Concow and several surrounding communities. This song was written in memory of the lives and homes lost, the bravery of the firefighters and front line personnel, and the survivors. Extreme wildfires have become the norm around the world, and demand attention.
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Calendar

Previous events

A monthly 'songwriters in the round' residency at C & P Coffee Company in West Seattle. The live original concerts will be on the first Saturday of each month, between 7 and 9 pm, barring any booked special events. These will be unplugged, original-music concerts with three singer-songwriters sharing the stage and trading songs. C & P is a warm and welcoming space, which has always been one of my favorite venues. We invite you to share our wonderful intimate evenings of heartfelt music.

52nd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival

(PDT, UTC-07) (PDT, UTC-07)

Seattle Center, Folklife, “Gate 2 Welcome Stage”, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA

The annual Northwest Folklife Festival is a community-powered celebration of the arts, culture, and heritage that make up the brilliant cultural tapestry of the greater Pacific Northwest. Prior to 2020, over 6,000 artists and culture-bearers brought cultural expressions to audiences across 25 stages alongside 200 food and craft vendors and 500 volunteers annually. Since 1972, the Northwest Folklife Festival has gathered upwards of 250,000 participants at Seattle Center during Memorial Day weekend. The festival has been proudly powered by donations for over 50 years. This year's festival will take place May 26-29, 2023. No entry fee.

Singer-Songwriter JD Cotton blends fingerstyle ballads, open tunings and blues riffs to tell original stories of American life. He’s a regular performer in Seattle area coffeehouses and at the Northwest Folklife Festival and also one half of the neo-folk duo, ZuCo. He’ll share inspirations and songs from his upcoming album while playing his unique Irvin SJ acoustic built of all Pacific Northwest tonewoods

Jul2

ZuCo (Carmen Zullo & JD Cotton)

(PDT, UTC-07) (PDT, UTC-07)

Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Cafe, 8310 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

I'll be performing with my good friend, Carmen in our ZuCo acoustic duo, in a 25 minute set of original songs. Couth Buzzard book store and cafe has an intimate performance space that regularly hosts music events. The SiS showcase here is a recurring event every 1st Saturday of the month.

May28

Since 1972, the annual Northwest Folklife Festival has been a community-powered celebration of arts, culture, and heritage that make up the brilliant cultural tapestry of the greater Pacific Northwest! Created for and by 150+ Community Coordinators, the festival hosts over 6,000 artists and culture bearers across 25 stages and 200 food and craft vendors annually. The festival remains one of the largest community-powered festivals in the nation.

The 51st Annual Northwest Folklife Festival will take place on Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30, 2022) in person at the Seattle Center and online at nwfolklife.org/festival.

May25

The Woodhouse Wine Estates Songwriters Showcase

(PDT, UTC-07) (PDT, UTC-07)

Woodhouse Wine Estates, 15500 Woodinville Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, WA

Join me for happy hour and a songwriter's showcase at The Woodhouse Wine Estates in Woodinville. Hosted by Dave Goldy. Here’s the lineup:

Dave Goldy & Bryan Foss, A.K.A - The Juice Box Boys, https://www.reverbnation.com/davegoldy/songs Jerry Battista, https://youtu.be/6sw2Mhj4RUU, https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jerry-battista/429250422 JD Cotton, https://jamesdeancottonmusic.com/ Josiah Bogle, https://www.josiahbogle.com/

About

Seattle-based singer/songwriter, James Dean Cotton, is best known for performances at local Puget Sound coffeeshops and participation in the Northwest Folklife Festival. He's also a member of the local neo-folk band, American Sons. Originally from a small town in Southern Missouri, JD's  style draws on the singer-songwriters of the 1970's, such as James Taylor, Neil Young and Paul Simon, fusing native bluegrass with country, rock, jazz and blues elements.  As he moved from the Midwest to Colorado, California and Washington, he picked up stories in the pieces of life that have evolved into personal and unique songs of America. A multi-instrumentalist, he currently resides in the small town of Issaquah, Washington where he writes, records and performs regularly. He has released seven albums and eight singles.

Guest Book

Contact

 For bookings, licensing, sync placement and songwriting projects, contact JD at: jdcottonmusic@gmail.com