Born on December 30, 1960 in Dallas, Texas. He was 14 when he got his first guitar, a Harmony. His early influences were ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers, Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher and others. He also speaks of a heavy liking for AC/DC.

 Jim has been playing professionally since the 1980s. During this time, he was exposed to some of the best players of Texas Blues guitar while playing the nightclubs of northern Texas – SRV, Jimmie Vaughan, Bugs Henderson and Anson Funderburgh. Jim has said that a trip to Mississippi and his meeting Son House was the time he knew he wanted to play the Blues.

While playing a club in Memphis, Tennessee, George Thorogood came into the club and a friendship developed. Jim sent GT’s  producer/engineer, Terry Manning, a four song demo of his new band, Monkey Beat and eventually began his recording career. Jim would join George Thorogood as part of the Destroyers in 1999 and has been with them since. He also continues to record and tour with Monkey Beat.