The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Sunnyvale blues artist James Armstrong is recovering from an April 27 stabbing at his Olive Avenue home.

Stabbing cancels tour of local blues artist

Armstrong suffers nerve damage in Olive Avenue attack

By Katherine Petersen

James Armstrong, a Sunnyvale blues recording artist, doesn't know if or when he might be able to play guitar again.

The 40-year-old musician suffered nerve damage during a knife attack by an acquaintance in his home on April 27.

Armstrong was stabbed in the neck, arm and back and spent a week at Valley Medical Center.

In addition to injuring Armstrong, the suspect allegedly threw Armstrong's 2-year-old son over a second-floor balcony, causing a skull fracture, police said.

A suspect, Curtis Fountila, was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Fountila appeared in court May 21, but his arraignment was postponed, said Sunnyvale Public Safety Capt. Steve Pigott. He is being held in Santa Clara County Jail with no bail.

Armstrong, who recorded his first album in 1995 and has played in local clubs such as Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco and Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz, was scheduled to go on his first nationwide tour in the middle of May. On the tour he would have traveled to Texas, the Midwest, New England and New York City. All shows have been postponed indefinitely.

"He's an incredible talent. The tour could have boosted records sales and been the impetus for his recording company to record a second album," said Armstrong's friend Ken Brandt.

Brandt, who has known Armstrong for just over a year, said his friend is trying to keep a positive attitude and find the good in recent events. Not only did Armstrong suffer his own injuries, but he is dealing with the stress of watching his son injured, Brandt said.

"I keep telling him to toughen up because his son needs him," Brandt said. "We both know that things happen for a reason. We're just trying to find the reason for this."

Friends have set up a recovery fund for the artist to provide occasional child care and transportation. Contributions can be mailed to the Hames Armstrong Recovery Fund, or J.A.R.F., at 707 Continental Circle #1522, Mountain View, 94040. Concerned parties can contact family friend Brandt at 415/961-7335 for more information on how to help.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, May 28, 1997.
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