Album Notes

` Jimmy Maddox: Artist Profile


As a young man growing up in coastal Georgia, Jimmy Maddox's influences were like those of many southern musicians: country, R&B, gospel, jazz and rock & roll. But while other young people were listening to The Beatles and Rolling Stones, Jimmy found himself captivated by Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and especially Ray Charles. "The first time I heard a Ray Charles recording I was stunned. In some ways I'm still stunned," Jimmy admits. Armed with these influences the young Georgian performed in numerous bands and continued his musical education.
Teaming with lyricist Bobby Hanson, Jimmy co-founded the Savannah based JoJa Band. "We were the thinking man's southern rock band," Jimmy recalls. Mixing lush ballads and jazz rhythms with lowdown blues and country harmonies, this effort culminated in two critically acclaimed albums.
Then came a sudden move to Richmond, Virginia. "I think every artist should relocate at least once. It forces you to get off your laurels and grow." It was in Richmond that Juke Joint Jimmy made his first appearance. "I was working a lot in various blues bands but I really missed just sitting at the piano and playing my first love: boogie woogie! I started doing just that as a sideline in between tours. Pretty soon that was about all I wanted to do. Ya know, it still is."
After recording two solo boogie woogie albums, Jimmy made another move; this time to Music City-Nashville, Tennessee. "I won't even pretend that boogie woogie is all I've ever done. I've had to make a living and I'm very fortunate to able to make a living at something I love. That's why I moved to Nashville, to find work. But I am glad Juke Joint Jimmy followed me here."
I was in Nashville that Jimmy recorded "Boogie Woogie Gospel." It's that old-time religion, eight-to-the bar! Southern gospel hymns played in the tradition that got Jerry Lee Lewis kicked out of Bible College. Saturday night meets Sunday morning. "Boogie Woogie Gospel" was an immediate success, spending 6 weeks at the top of amazon.com's independent sales chart. "I am very fortunate and blessed to be raised in a family where these songs were sung. I heard these hymns at such an early age that I can't remember not knowing these songs. I only pray that I now do them justice"
Jimmy still lives and works in Nashville, performing regularly on the General Jackson Showboat and occasionally touring as a solo artist. "You know, the music business is a lot like baseball with its statistics and predictions. And I suppose somebody has to keep score. But sometimes just the sheer joy of playing is enough. I'd like to thank everybody for my turn at bat." Now, let's play ball!
Update: Boogie Woogie Gopsel II: The King James Version is due out April 2004!