Jim Roll

Born and raised in suburban Chicago, Jim was exposed to a wide variety of roots-based musical traditions.  He fused those influences in the mid 80's while fronting the band, The Bald Willies in Dekalb, Illinois. The Willies combined elements of folk rolk, Jimmy Reed-styled blues, reggae, and traditional Chuck Berry-esque rock-n-roll. They packed the local bars weekly and appeared on bills with touring artists such as the legendary Alex Chilton.

He left the band at the height of their popularity due to internal strife [both within the band and within Jim] and decided to pursue an education in Social Work. By 1991 Jim landed in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He continued writing songs and performing infrequently at local folk clubs while finishing his degree. In 1993 he moved to Frankfurt, Germany and performed as a street musician for several months.

Finally in October of 1996, Jim had assembled a substantial catalogue of original tunes. Coinciding with the opening of Ann Arbor's quaint and theatrical folk club, The Gypsy Cafe, Jim began playing monthly shows in Ann Arbor before packed houses. His quirky stage presence and paradoxically sobering songs quickly became the talk of the town.

Within months, Jim...

• - had been invited down to Nashville's Bluebird Cafe to perform in The New Songwriter's Showcase,
  - had assembled a band and appeared on bills with The V-Roys (Steve Earle's E-Squared Label), Damien Jurado and Holler (Sub Pop Records),
  - has showcased at Folk Alliance in Toronto for Michigan Alliance for Musical Artists [MAMA], and
  - made solo appearances at a wide variety of venues in Southeastern Michigan.

Recent Reviews (check out the recent Dave Marsh review)...
"Roll's voice has a soft genuine quality [strain's of the Band's Rick Danko] and his guitar playing has been described as 'striking a perfect balance between strumming and picking, and rife with moderate, catchy melodies that effortlessly span the boundaries between contemporary and traditional folk'."
         - Todd Spencer, Current May 1997
 

"His tales will move you...as he eloquently weaves his music between rock and traditional forms of American roots music."
         - Chad Williams, Music Director, WCBN-FM

Jim has just completed his first full length CD entitled, Ready to Hang. It blends alternative country arrangements with stark solo acoustic tunes, and promises to be one of the more captivating albums of the new year. Studio work has been completed and it will be available in February of 1998.  Ready to Hang will be a joint Thursday Records/One Man Clapping Records release.

• So what are you waiting for...check it out!
   

  Web Editor:  Champagne

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