Neo-Folkie Susan James Will Be Opener for Weir

Opening for Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman tonight at the Coach House is singer/songwriter Susan James, who has been described as everything from the second coming of Joni Mitchell to a purveyor of “acoustic grunge.”

James, who grew up in Pasadena, met Weir and Wasserman two years ago at the San Juan Capistrano club and was asked to open for the duo on tour. Since then, she’s recorded with Henry Kaiser, toured with Lindsay Buckingham and won two Bay Area music awards.

“I think she’s very gifted,” said Weir. “She’s a good singer, a good guitar player and a good songwriter who writes about interesting stuff.”