Jim
Jersey
was born in Bradenton, Florida, and grew up in Battle Creek,
The
event
that started it all for Jim was a May 1, 1958 episode of Playhouse 90
that
featured The
When he heard
them sing “Scarlet Ribbons” it was as if
lightning
struck.
This was the
music he wanted to play and sing.
After much
hinting,
Jim received his first guitar for Christmas that same year. It
was a
genuine Sears and Roebuck “Silvertone”, $32.00, including tax.
Jim
finally got the chance to drive his mother crazy, plunk, plunking away
while he
was learning.
Through the
years, Jim and a good friend built a repertoire of folk songs and
played and
sang at neighborhood parties.
In the
mid-nineties he fell in with some real musicians, and their friendship
and
talent helped him improve his talent. At the tender age of 57
years 10
months, he made his debut as a performer.
Jim’s main
influences are, The Kingston Trio, Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, Johnny Cash,
Kris Kristofferfson, John Prine and anybody else that writes a good
song.
When asked
what kind of music he plays, his response is,
“I play
songs that I like, I hope you like them too.”