Biography

"Australia's Little Giant of Entertainment"

A unique tag? But then, Colin James is unique... ask his many friends around Australia. They will all tell you that Colin James is quite different... not just because he performs on stage in his wheelchair, but because he has crammed more into his fifty-plus years than most able-bodied people have in their lifetime. For example, Colin has...

• Had more than forty years experience as an accomplished entertainer,TV performer, booking agent, promoter, radio presenter, freelance journalist, motivational public speaker and community worker.

• Appeared on Bert Newton's Good Morning Australia TV program on several occasions, together with many other television variety shows.

• Performed on stage in most states of Australia, including regular spots on the demanding Sydney club circuit and at the Sydney Opera House. He was also one of the featured artists invited to entertain at the Papal Welcome, staged at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1986.

• Won many talent awards including the national TV show, "New Faces",
where he performed his own inspirational composition, "If I Can Do It, So
Can You."

• On the International scene, performed at clubs in New Zealand and America(Honolulu, Nashville and Washington where, in 1988, he sang to an estimated crowd of more than 8000 at the Kiwanis Convention held in Seattle).

• Released fourteen top-selling cassette and CD albums.

• As a songwriter, penned more than 150 songs, many of which have beenrecorded by well-known artists, including "Nobody Else But Little Me," sung by Chad Morgan in the award winning Australian film, "Newsfront."

• Been awarded the title of J.P. (Justice of the Peace) and, in 1981,received the OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) for services to the community.

• In the year 2000, been chosen to carry the flame as one of the torch bearers for the Olympic Games torch relay.

• Been support act for many top Australian and International country music artists, including Reg Lindsay, Eddie Low, Frank Ifield, Freddy Fender, plus the late Slim Dusty and Marty Robbins.

• As a darts player, won several trophies in open competition using the 'blowdarts' technique which involves blowing specially made darts through a piece of metal tubing.

In addition:
Colin was recognised in 1995 for his efforts as a campaigner for the rights of disabled people and his efforts in fund-raising, by the National Telstra Phonecard, 'Local Legends' promotion. Colin's photo (as Victorian winner) was featured on $5 phone cards... now considered highly prized collector's items.

Despite his obvious physical limitations, brought about by the crippling disease of rheumatic fever at the age of three, Colin has achieved all of the above - plus much more - through a positive, tireless determination to succeed, make the most of every minute in his life and triumph over any obstacle he encounters.

Colin says, "it gives me great satisfaction to have people describe to me how they have appreciated the words of some of my songs and poems. . . or how they have felt encouraged by "If I Can Do It So Can You".

On stage, Colin is a spirited ball of energy. . . ad-libbing with the crowd, performing 'golden oldies' as well as monologues, plus his own material - you name it!! His infectious love of life shines through in everything he does, nothing daunts him. Venues as diverse as on the back of a semi-trailer, on stage at large reception centres and clubs, etc., are all greeted with lively enthusiasm.

As a public speaker, Colin's message is both entertaining and motivational. He readily accepts the challenge of telling his story, interspersed with his songs, to people of all ages and walks of life as he travels to speak at clubs, schools, disability groups and even shopping centres. If his job is to capture the attention of his audience, he hasn't failed yet... failure is not a familiar word to Colin.

In the year 2000, Colin completed yet another major project... the research, review, update and marketing of ‘The Wheelie's Handbook of Australia’… a guide to accessible accommodation and tourist attractions for people in wheelchairs.

Married three times and now living alone once more, Colin ’s personal life has been one of highs and lows. He recently returned to his old hometown of Bendigo after 26 years living in Geelong to be closer to his family and, hopefully, to resume his career in singing and entertainment.
Colin will continue living life to its fullest, earning himself such tags as Australia's Little Giant of Entertainment", the "dag in a bag" and "The Fastest Wheelie in the West", together with the latest one at the top of this biography. . . they're all appropriate for the man who says, "I have no intention of letting the grass grow under my wheels!"

Colin’s albums are still available on CD, including The Best of Colin James, which includes his song-poem, If I Can Do It, So Can You. Samples of all tracks on this album can be accessed through "My Music"

"Written by Norm Burke"