Luke James Band

Outlaw Country Rock with Heart

Luke James has been making music for a while—first as a solo artist, and, since March 2024, with a powerhouse band backing him. The lineup features Kevin Stevens on lead guitar, Erik Bartek on bass, and the newest member, Sam Oliver III, on drums. Luke leads the way with his soulful vocals and guitar.

Their sound? Outlaw country rock at its finest, featuring original songs infused with Southern grit and spirit, along with crowd-pleasing covers from legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Grateful Dead.

Since their debut last summer, the Prospect-based band has built a loyal following that shows up at every gig. They’ve played at Connecticut hotspots including the Boar’s Nest and the Sitting Duck Tavern in Oxford, and they most recently rocked the stage at Woodbury Brewing Company.

Luke is a descendant of the notorious train robber Jesse James. But despite these outlaw roots, the band is all about giving back to the community. In July, they played to a packed house at a private fundraiser benefiting Smilow Cancer Center. Then, when flooding devastated Oxford last summer, Luke spearheaded a day-long music festival at Quarry Walk to support flood relief, raising an impressive $100,000 for Team Inc.'s Flood Relief Fund. He also organized a benefit concert for the Boar’s Nest, helping the venue get back on its feet.

The band’s original songs, co-written by Luke and Kevin Stevens, evoke the image of a cowboy on the run—whiskey in hand, trouble on his tail. Tracks like Guns and Guitars, Pretty Baby, and The Reaper capture that rugged, rebellious spirit. Luke’s solo work and early collaborations, including fan favorites Water into Whiskey and All of These Women, remain part of the band’s repertoire.

Catchy, clever, and steeped in the tradition of Southern rock and roll, the Luke James Band delivers an unforgettable live experience.