James Cook Band Live in Bud Daniel Park
Seeing the same artist in the same park where TheFUSE began two years ago
In the second week of May, 2023, TheFUSE didn’t exist. It was just me, Troy, out photographing random things in downtown Wichita Falls on a warm spring evening. I heard music drifting on the breeze and followed the sound to find James Cook and his band doing their soundcheck in Bud Daniel Park. I resolved to photograph the show that night, and from that batch of photos, the FallstownFUSE arts & entertainment newsletter was born.
It was May 13th, 2025, just one day short of the two year anniversary of that show, that I got the opportunity to see James Cook perform again, in the same park, and Cook and his band were riding high. Cook recently won the 2025 Texas Music Chart Awards Americana Artist of the Year, and his new album, Texican Velvet, is a work of art. Eight amazing tracks with elements of country and Americana, polished and brandishing a sharp, professional edge.
In his usual fashion, Cook put on the energetic show of a seasoned pro, and I couldn’t help but feel lucky to be seeing him perform with such a talented group of musicians. Two years ago, it was Cook and this group of guys — bassist Tim Maloney, guitarist Jason Brown, and drummer Ricci Amador — who convinced me Wichita Falls has an exceptional level of musical talent to share.
Thank you for two great years.
Tell us about the time you saw James Cook in the comments.
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