I was in college with Jim and proudly display one of his paintings, now 50 years old. I knew he also played the organ in area restaurants. I thought he did that to pick up a few extra bucks. I now realize it was simply because he loved music. I have worked with nationally known and award-winning artists but I have ALWAYS felt Jim was the most talented I ever met. What's amazing is not only his mastery of the Chromatic Harmonca, but the beauty of his own arrangements and self accompaniment. He is simply inspirational! I especially applaud him for the commitment of time he made and kept in learning and mastering the Chromatic.

I PLAY YOUR HARMONICA MUSIC THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND THE LAST THING AT NIGHT.A FAN AND FORMER REED RIDER. BILLY WICKS

I am 60 years old, I love this music! I brought a chromatic but they don't work, not all the keys, and they don't take them back, what type do you use Jim?

Jim Watkins, like many creative people, excels in many things artistic. He spent most, if not all of his working life as an artist, teaching others how to do the most with their talent, while creating both serious and whimsical pieces of his own. But music (and the chromatic) is as much a part of what Jim is and does as the color pallet he uses in his art studio. He just 'paints' pictures with his harmonica. Over the years he has performed for audiences as a backup artist, part of a duo, and soloist, recording tunes that he offered as gifts to friends, fans and fellow musicians. Now, for the first time, Jim is making his recordings available to the general public. Slip this lovely CD into your home player, kick off your shoes, turn down the lights, and listen to classic favorites like "Send in the Clowns" and "Evergreen." Bring it along on your next vacation or long commute, and travel down those endless highways and winding roads with the likes of "Watch What Happens," "I Thought About You," and "Memories of You." It will ease your ride, and lighten your heart. Every song has a different shape, a different feel, a different emotion. My favorites are the light, easy-listening, "easy on the ears" arrangements, but they're all wonderful. MAKING LOVE TO THE HARMONICA is a happy mix of some of the greatest tunes ever written, and Jim arranges and plays them with superb taste, tone and musicianship. If you love the way the chromatic harmonica captures heart and soul of a song's intent, treat yourself to this disc for all reasons. You won’t be disappointed.