Album Notes

Bernie Glim and Country Roads

Bernie John Glim, born in Blue Island, Illinois, received a cherry-red SG Junior at the age of twelve and has been performing ever since. His formal music studies included work at the American Conservatory of Music and the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He performed as a guitarist with Chicago’s Free Street Theatre, Pheasant Run Theatre’s production of "Godspell" and Drury Lane’s "I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road". Through the seventies, he toured the U.S. as an opening act for ELO, Styx, B. J. Thomas, ShaNaNa, Cheech and Chong and other national acts. As house guitarist for the Executive Inn in Owensboro, Kentucky, Bernie played charts for touring stars -- Ray Price, Engelbert Humperdink, Al Martino, Charo, Frankie Avalon and others.

He developed a strong following in the club circuit with his own band, Selah, in the 80’s, then moved on to do solo club and fest work. In 2002, he began a collaboration with Tom Gurney on guitar and Al Joseph on fiddle. As Bernie Glim and Country Roads, a full seven-piece band complemented by John Falstrom on bass, Neil Holmquist on drums, and Karen Glim and Rachel Glim on vocals and percussion, they currently perform 250 – 300 dates a year at clubs and festivals throughout the Chicago area and the Midwest. They’ve recently opened for Marshall Tucker, the Bellamy Brothers, Jim Peterik and the Ides of March, and Billy Ray Cyrus.

Glim has written, arranged and produced two albums of original work under the Sugar Island label, the first in 1989 titled "Hey Boys, I Wanna Play" and the June 2007 release, "Playin’ to Win".

His warmth, humor and ability to engage audiences of all ages has gained him a loyal following. His collaboration with master musicians Tom, Al, John and Neil, along with his songwriting wife Karen and daughter Rachel, has produced a powerful and patriotic concert presence and continues to expand his fan base.