Jim began his music career in the 1980’s with a band called Clear Creek based in Western North Carolina. The group played a blues based rock selection of songs from artists such as Bad Company, Van Morrison, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Elvis, Merle Haggard and a strong repertoire from The Grateful Dead. The group began to develop their own music after the success of their first release of covers landed them an opportunity to play with the Night Hawks. Jim and lead guitarist Steve Gwaltney collaborated on writing. Jim proved to have a strong lyrical ability as the band changed their name to TurnStyle and recorded a second release Through The HourGlass that enjoyed some notoriety by having two highly placed songs in a national contest.
As the band was experiencing change Jim was also experiencing a change. He felt a strong call from the Lord to put the pursuit of Rock n Roll stardom on the sidelines. He began to focus his attention with his wife Leigh Ann on raising his family with the first of four children (Zach, Taylor, Alleigh and lil Andy). He also decided to focus on spending time seeking God’s direction for his life goals. He made a difficult decision to leave the band and put his passion for songwriting and performing on the sidelines. Jim began a sojourn deep into the Holy Bible, memorizing passages and discovering the power in the living Word of God.
After a season of many months of seeking, Jim was led to become involved with a Sports Ministry called CrossFire. Through CrossFire and his involvement with West Asheville Baptist Church Jim began to find his passion for music and songwriting rekindled. He began writing songs reflecting his daily walk with God with words to try and capture the practical lessons and experiences he had discovered.
This sojourn has continued through almost twenty years of traveling the globe with a basketball or softball in one hand and his guitar in the other. Jim has written over a hundred songs and been blessed to utilize many of them as discipleship for brothers and sisters and new believers. We hope you enjoy the sound and will listen to the message behind the music and experience a renewed inspiration for your own.
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