BJ Barham | The Converse Cowboy
Best known as the frontman of North Carolina alt-country outfit American Aquarium, singer/songwriter B.J. Barham has spent much of his career delivering rugged, earthy roots rock in the vein of Whiskeytown and Drive-By Truckers. A native of Reidsville, North Carolina, Barham formed the group in 2005 and, over the course of a decade, built American Aquarium's reputation from regional up-and-comers to acclaimed, internationally recognized act thanks to records like 2012's Jason Isbell-produced Burn. Flicker. Die. and 2015's Wolves. Inspired by the November 2015 terrorist attacks at a Parisian nightclub, Barham -- who was, at the time, on tour in nearby Belgium -- quickly wrote a new batch of acoustic-led songs that would eventually become Rockingham, his solo debut. In early 2016, with co-producer Bradley Cook, he and a handpicked crew of musicians recorded the new material in a couple of marathon sessions. The album was released later that year, earning positive reviews. Barham toured as a solo act as well, hitting all 48 states in the continental United States during the spring and summer of 2017. ~ Timothy Monger, Rovi Stay Grateful!!