Album Notes

Rockin' Jimmy Crimmins -- one of the most exceptional jazz/blues guitarists on the scene today -- was born in Madison, Wis. He started on the instrument early, making his first live appearance at the age of 13. While attending high school and gigging on the weekend, Jimmy became obsessed with learning from the masters. He wore out every B.B. King, Freddy King and Paul Butterfield album he could get his hands on.

Heavy gigging and early influences

After graduation, Jimmy hit the road with the area's most popular blues bands, performing five to six nights a week. Then, one winter's evening in the early '70s, Jimmy's world really turned when he was introduced to George Benson at a Madison coffee house. Already very much into Wes Montgomery and Herb Ellis, that meeting took Jimmy to the next plateau. Later, at a gig in Milwaukee, Jimmy heard that George Pritchett, guitarist with the Buddy Rich band, was teaching at a music store in town. He studied with the dexterous jazz master briefly, while attending the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music.

While learning all he could about Pritchett's effortless command of the fretboard, Jimmy unlocked the secret behind the way masters practice the instrument. This simple secret became the catalyst for Jimmy's first guitar instructional manual -- ROCKIN' JIMMY'S DAILY GUITAR WORKOUT.

Headed for Hollywood

In a quest for more knowledge of the instrument and the music business, Jimmy moved to West Hollywood, Cal., where he landed a position with the world's largest music retailer, Guitar Center Hollywood. There he would learn from the best, see and hear the best and get to play with the best. For 14 years, he hung out with, gigged with and got to understand the inner workings of the hottest musicians on the planet. Jimmy's emotive style landed him on stage with major players -- including the Blues Brothers -- and Jim played the last performance with the duo from Saturday Night Live before frontman John Belushi's death.

Still in love with the blues

The last two years Jimmy's gigged over 300 shows from Buddy Guy's Legends to Luther's Blues, the Jazz Company Disney World and also blues club of the year Blues on Grand.

Today, Jim is back in his home state of Wisconsin where he continues his love affair with the instrument. From his home base in Green Bay, he teaches, records and embarks on tours to the delight of thousands who groove on his sophisticated blues sound infused with soul. A life spent mastering an instrument and a soul full of blues combine to make Jimmy a must-see live and a must-hear on compact digital disc.

In a world of make-believe, Rockin' Jimmy is truly KEEPIN' IT REAL.