<p>Multi-Instrumentalist and Composer Jim "The Smurf" has been a fixture on the local scene in the NE Ohio area for over 35 years. Along with being one of the first call drummers in the area, he is also a very talented Guitarist and Bassist, along with dabbling with the Keys and Vocals.</p><p><br />Along with being an old hand at Live Sound, Lighting Design, Concert Production, and Radio Performances, and with extensive regional touring, both as a Tech and a Musician, Jim also has varied Studio Experience on both sides of the glass with numerous bands. These include top local favorites from the 80's Material Rejection, and continuing thru the late 80's, 90's, and early 2001 with Country Artist's Gold River, Howard Duff & The Country Rebels, All Around Sound, and Picking & Kicking, among a huge variety of other great bands on the local and regional Country scene. </p><p> </p><p>The last secular R&R group he was in, Mother Road, was one of the best of his career, opening for the likes of The Fixx, among numerous others. This group was a fitting final chapter in Jim's fantastic secular drumming career.<br />A year and a half after leaving Mother Road he released his first CD, MIDDLE OF THE STORM. This one-man-band effort help solidify his recording skills as an arranger and engineer, while giving him insight on what needed improvement in his studio.</p><p><br />After his "net-hit" with MIDDLE OF THE STORM, Jim discovered the flexibility of loops, and also the joy of collaborating with folks over the Internet. On his second release, SCATTERED SHOWERS, he created a full, live band by a combination of guest artists, real instruments, loops, midi, and soundfonts. This combination gives his second release an extremely full, live, and satisfying sound.</p><p><br />The Special Guests list on his SCATTERED SHOWERS release includes Dennis "Dino" Woods on vocals, Rick "The Stik" Onusic on backup vocals, and Randy Fifer on Lead and Rhythm guitars. These folks help fill out an already rocking sound with their talent, and Jim's music benefited immensely from it!</p><p><br />After this 2006 release, Jim started to really focus in on his more Acoustic side, and has spent the last two years woodshedding on Acoustic Guitar and Mandolin, while at the same time releasing more fantastic R&R singles, building up his studio, and honing the crafts of engineering, production, arranging, and sound design.</p><p><br />With influences running a large gauntlet, from William Ackerman to Rush, Chet Atkins to Herbbie Hancock, and all points in between, Jim finds a melodic blend of all his influences, both past and present. Rock meets Jazz, and collides with Celtic on the way to Country.....Jim melts all of these, and more, into a sound that is a joy to listen to.....over and over again.</p>
