Americousticana is a trio composed of Frank James, Tom Beaman and Michael Wooten. The group’s sound is a combination of complex and emotionally charged harmonies, intertwined six and twelve string guitar lines and a driving percussive heartbeat.

Frank and Tom have been musical partners for decades, having met while singing in a college a capella group.  “We learned a lot about harmony singing in that group but what we mostly learned is that we fit together.  So we’ve been doing it ever since.”

Starting in folk clubs on the east coast in the 1960’s, they soon began forming and touring with electric bands and eventually moved to Colorado.  “We started playing in clubs up in the ski areas but we had to branch out during the warm months and next thing we were playing in Maine and New Jersey and Wyoming and South Dakota and all over the place.  We both retired from touring for the sake of careers and families but we always played together.”   

With Americousticana Tom and Frank have returned to their first love, finger picked acoustic guitars.  Tom is on six string and vocals, Frank on 12 string and vocals.

Michael Wooten is the most recent and welcome addition to the sound.  One of Colorado’s premier percussionists, he recorded and toured with Carol King for four years and then joined Leftover Salmon for another five years.  He is in constant demand to play and record.  “I have a very full dance card.  These days I live for music.  It’s my life.  I just love it.” 

With a repertoire ranging from Blind Willie Johnson and Lead Belly to Hank Williams and Eric Clapton, Americousticana plays roots music with a kick.