Jim was born and raised in Northern Virginia in a house full of music. He began playing guitar in his early teenage years, and eventually added banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and several other instruments to his musical addiction.
Later, after raising a family and a career in telecommunications, he became intrigued with songwriting and joined the Songwriters Association of Washington, serving five years on its board of directors. In 2005, he released a solo CD titled "Horseshoes and Hand Grenades" containing 16 original songs. That same year, he was a founding member of the singer/songwriter trio, "Harley String Band" recording three CD's with that group.
In November of 2022, he joined the Folk/Americana group, "Shenandoah Run."
He released his second solo CD in early 2023 titled
"Universal Citizen" containing 15 original songs.
Awards:
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest 2022:
"Continental Divide" Third Place Overall
"Continental Divide" Gold Award, (Americana)
"Dying Man's Blues" Finalist, (Blues/Jazz)
Great American Song Contest 2012:
"Deepwater Requiem" Finalist (Folk/Americana)
(co-written with Stephen R. Coffee.)
Great Lakes Songwriting Contest 2011:
"Maximon" Semi-Finalist (co-written with Stephen R. Coffee.)
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest 2009:
"When a Tree Falls" Finalist (Adult Contemporary)
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest 2007:
"Opposable Thumbs" Honorable Mention (Children's Music)
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest 2006:
"The Courtship of Miss Mouse" Finalist (Country)
"The Courtship of Miss Mouse" Honorable Mention (Children's Music)
"Listening Blues" Honorable Mention (Jazz/Blues)
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest 2005:
"Now It Won't Be Long" Honorable Mention (Country/Bluegrass)
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest 2004:
"The Pride of the White Star Line" Finalist (Folk)
"Red and Rebel Gray" Honorable Mention (Open)