GARDINER — Guitar man Samuel James will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at Johnson Hall. Tickets cost $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $5 for students and are available noon-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at Johnson Hall’s box office, call 582-7144 or visit www.johnsonhall.org.

With a voice of grit and gravel, roots musician Samuel James sings with an authenticity lost in time. A modern guitar master, James’ skill has a depth and range that seems impossible for a man with only two hands.

An award-winning songwriter, an innovative guitar player, and a Moth-featured storyteller, James brings all of this to his stage show.

He was born the last in a long line of performers including dancers, story tellers, choir singers, jazz pianists, and porch-stomping guitar thumpers dating back to the 1800s.

James’ critically acclaimed trilogy of albums, “Songs Famed for Sorrow and Joy” (2008) “For Rosa, Maeve and Noreen” (2009), “And for the Dark Road Ahead” (2012) for Toronto’s Northern Blues label has gained James’ praise not only for carrying on great traditions, but for being a true innovator.

He has received standing ovations for his performances from Maine to California as well as Canada, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey.