You may reach Dustin's website at http://www.dustinjamesmusic.com

Dustin James Bio

Dustin James Guarnere (aka Dustin James) was born in 1980 in Port Arthur, TX.  His family later relocated to Bridge City, where Dustin began kindergarten at Hatton Elementary and eventually graduated BCHS in 1999. 

Musical Background

• Dustin’s parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents toured the country in the 1970’s & early 1980’s as a popular southern gospel “family act” signed with Calvary Records of Nashville, TN
• He began singing and playing drums in his father’s church at age 10, picked up the bass guitar at age 12, and began playing acoustic guitar at age 13.

A Dream is Born

• February 3^rd, 1995- George Strait and the Ace in the Hole Band played to a sold-out Beaumont crowd at the Montagne Center.  Sitting wide-eyed 3^rd row center, a then 14 year-old Dustin James realized that performing country music was what he was born to do.

High School Days (1996-1999)

• 1997:  As a sophomore at BCHS, Dustin began fronting his very first group “The Band” comprised of himself and three high-school buddies.  Throughout high school they performed a mix of country, southern rock and blues at local festivals, restaurants, and crawfish boils in and around BC.  “The Band” was also a regular addition to many BCHS functions, performing for the student body onstage during lunch and guest hosting events such as the Stutters’ Spring Review performance and the annual BCHS Lip Sync contest.

• May 1999: As senior class president, Dustin emceed his high-school graduation and then headed off to college at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX

College Days (1999-2003)

• 1999: Dustin first began writing songs in the dorm-room his freshman year in college at Texas A&M
• 2001: His first experience in the studio came his sophomore year in college when he recorded his first project, “King for a Day,” at A&S Studios in Nederland, TX.  “King for a Day” contained six of his original songs, and through the experience Dustin grew tremendously as an artist and a person.    
• Throughout college, Dustin fronted various bands on the local music circuit, getting stage experience & learning how to work a crowd. 
• As a solo artist, Dustin performed at open mics songwriter’s nights in College Station.  He also returned to Bridge City to many weekends to perform as a soloist in several weddings and provide live music at Tequilas Mexican restaurant on Texas Ave.  
• 2003: Dustin graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and immediately set his sights on Nashville 

Nashville Days (2003 – present)

• August 2003: Dustin moved to Nashville to pursue music & attend graduate school at Middle Tennessee State University
• He immediately began playing writer’s nights, networking, and co-writing, and learning the Nashville music scene
• Spring 2004: Dustin’s song “A Real Sad Country Song,” was selected from among several hundred submissions to be included on the Nashville Songwriter Association International “Best Songs of 2004” compilation CD
• July 2004: Dustin was one of twelve unsigned songwriters chosen to attend the “ASCAP Foundation Country Songwriters Workshop” hosted by the American Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers. This Nashville-based workshop focuses on the development and education of promising new Country songwriters
• March 2005: Dustin’s song “Texas is Missing You” was judged “Ready to Pitch” at an NSAI workshop by a panel of Nashville Publishers & music-industry reps
• Summer 2005: Dustin graduated from MTSU with a Masters Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and was hired by the State of TN, Office of Consulting Services as a Management Consultant where he is currently employed.

• Present:  In addition to his commitments with All American Super Star, Dustin currently can be seen performing regularly on the Nashville songwriter’s circuit in popular downtown venues such as The Nashville Crossroads, French Quarter Café, and the Hall of Fame Lounge.  Constantly seeking to refine his craft, Dustin also keeps a steady co-writing schedule, remains an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and is under the weekly instruction of acclaimed Nashville guitar instructor Ellen Britton.

Musical Goals & Aspirations

Dustin’s ultimate goal in music is to emerge as an artist signed with a major recording label.  As he further refines his natural abilities as a vocalist and musician, his immediate goal is to obtain a staff songwriting deal with one of the larger Nashville publishing companies.  Much as his hero and influence Brad Paisley did before him, Dustin hopes to use his gift for songwriting as a springboard into mainstream artistry.