In October, 2008, Jim began organizing a regular song writers'gathering. The Lawrence Song Writers' Circle meets the first Saturday of every month at the Americana Music Academy, 1419 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS. Deciding to shift musical directions, in the summer of 2010, Jim organized the alt-country band Getty Township playing 6 and 12 string electric guitars, and fiddle along with other Lawrence musicians Mark Roberts, bass guitar; Matt Dollar, pedal steel guitar; Steve Brown, Drums; Delana Lee, vocals; and Sue Malloy, guitar and vocals.

As a songwriter, Jim's influences come from a wide variety of sources. Some areas where he draws particular inspiration are the blues, and ragtime of the early twentieth century, other writers such as Hank Williams, Carson Robinson, and Jimmie Rodgers, or performers of the early Grand Ole Opry. Other influential songwriters are the late Gene Clark (of The Byrds), Bill Staines, Gram Parsons, and many other country-rock/folk rock writers of the 1960s and early '70s.

Jim can also be seen performing frequently during the summer at the Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market playing traditional fiddle tunes. He also teaches banjo, guitar, fiddle and fife at the Americana Music Academy.

Photo by Terri Laddusaw

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