James ‘Crazy James’ Wenstrup

As a solo guitarist and singer, I play over 700 popular cover songs ranging from classic rock to pop to country, in a high-energy, crowd centric show – perfect for bars, restaurants, parties, and other events.

I tailor my song choices to the crowd, and excel at “reading the room” to match the atmosphere. My goal is to make sure everyone in the audience is having the best time they possibly can.

I play a large selection of popular cover songs ranging from the 1960s up through today. I focus primarily on songs that most crowds would be familiar with and would want to sing along to.

My largest selection would fall into 90s rock and alternative, but I am constantly adding new music to reflect what audiences request most often.

I have been playing both as a solo artist and as a member of several groups since 2003. I specialize in popular cover music that you would expect from a guy with an acoustic guitar, though I also play bass, piano, harmonica, and drums.

I consider my act to be more entertainment that art, and focus on matching my performance to the crowd in the room, rather than playing from a pre-defined setlist.

I generally take requests, as long as they are audience appropriate, and will happily add songs to the repertoire at the venues request.

This is an abridged version of my setlist:

AHA – Take On Me
Alan Jackson – It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere
All American Rejects – Dirty Little Secret
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Beatles – All My Loving
Beatles – I’ve Just Seen A Face
Bill Withers – Use Me
Billy Joel – Pianoman
Blind Melon – No Rain
Blink 182 – All The Small Things
Blink 182 – Damnit
Bob Marley – No Woman No Cry
Bon Jovi – Living On A Prayer
Brad Paisley – Whiskey Lullaby
Bruce Springsteen – Glory Days
Bryan Adams – Summer Of ’69
Chris Janson – Buy Me A Boat
Counting Crows – Mr Jones
Counting Crows – Mrs Potter’s Lullaby
Deep Blue Something – Breakfast At Tiffanys
Don McClean – American Pie
Eagle Eye Cherry – Save Tonight
Eagles – Hotel California
Edwin McCain – I’ll Be
Eric Church – Sprinsteen
Eric Clapton – Layla
Fall Out Boy – Sugar We’re Goin’ Down
Florida Georgia Line – Cruise
Florida Georgia Line – Long Live
Fountains Of Wayne – Stacy’s Mom
Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh What A Night)
Garth Brooks – Friends In Low Places
Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (Cake Version)
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Goo Goo Dolls – Slide
Green Day – Basket Case
Hall And Oats – Rich Girl
Hank Williams Jr. – Family Tradition
Hootie And The Blowfish – Only Wanna Be With You
Howie Day – Collide
Jake Owen – Barefoot Blue Jean Night
James – Laid
Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
Jimmy Buffett – Margaritaville
Jimmy Eat World – The Middle
John Denver – Country Roads
John Mayer – Daughters
John Mayer – No Such Thing
John Mayer – Why Georgia
John Mellencamp – Jack And Diane
Journey – Don’t Stop Believing
Kenny Rogers – The Gambler
Killers – Mr Brightside
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper – Shallow
Luke Combs – When It Rains It Pours
Lustra – Scotty Doesn’t Know
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
Matchbox 20 – 3 AM
Matt Nathanson – Come On Get Higher
Men At Work – Land Down Under
Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
Nine Days – Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)
Oasis – Wonderwall
Old Crow Medicine Show – Wagon Wheel
Old Dominion – One Man Band
Pearl Jam – Better Man
Pearl Jam – Yellow Ledbetter
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge
Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
Sam Hunt – House Party
Semisonic – Closing Time
Soggy Bottom Boys – Man Of Constant Sorrow
Steve Miller Band – The Joker
Sublime – Santeria
Sublime – What I Got
Taylor Swift – 22
Taylor Swift – Mean
Temptations – My Girl
The Cranberries – Zombie
The Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup
The Outfield – Your Love
The Proclaimers – I’m Gunna Be (500 Miles)
The Rembrandts – I’ll Be There For You
Third Eye Blind – Jumper
Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life
Toby Keith – I Love This Bar
Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
Tom Petty – Last Dance With Mary Jane
Tommy James And The Shondels – I Think We’re Alone Now
Tones And I – Dance Monkey
Toto – Africa
Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
Train – Drops Of Jupiter
Train – Hey Soul Sister
Train – Meet Virginia
Uncle Kracker – Drift Away (Gimmie The Beat Boys)
Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
Vertical Horizon – Everything You Want
Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun
Zac Brown Band – Chicken Fried
Zac Brown Band – Toes

Music Type:

Covers of well known songs

Live Music

Main Music Style:

Pop – Rock (before 2000)

All Music Styles:

Pop – Rock (before 2000), Pop – Rock (2000 to now), Country – Americana

Performance language(s):

English

Size options:

1 musician(s)

Vocal options:

MaIe Singer

Instrument options:

Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard – Piano