James Ellis and the Jealous Guys play their last show of 2018 at The Gem Bar, one of Melbourne's best honky tonk bars.

Come celebrate with two sets of honky tonk dancing and drinking. Free entry. Music from 9pm.

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James Ellis and the Jealous Guys is one of Melbourne’s best-loved country and honky tonk bands.

In 2018, they released their debut record, It Ain’t Texas (But It Ain’t Bad), which was nominated for Best Country Album at the Age Music Victoria Awards.

They’ve played AmericanaFest, Out on the Weekend, Melbourne Music Week, Dashville Skyline, Kyneton Music Festival and New Year’s Evie and have shared the stage with the Deslondes, Lillie Mae, Charley Crockett and Birdcloud.

Since the start of 2018, the group also co-hosts a weekly honky-tonk and western swing residency at the Rooks Return in Fitzroy which has become the go-to regular two-step gig in Melbourne.

“It might not be Texas but I really like it.” (Country Music People magazine)

“James Ellis is at the forefront of the next generation of country music.” – Double J Radio

“[O]n his noteworthy debut Ellis shows he can foot it with maverick and classicist contemporaries such as Daniel Romano and Zephaniah OHora.” — Rhythms Magazine

“James Ellis has his cowboy boots firmly in Melbourne and his heart in Austin Texas … and as good country music should, he's guaranteed to have you two steppin’ or cryin’ tears in your beer.” – Denise Hylands (Twang on 3RRR FM)