Jim Pipkin A chat with roots musician Jim Pipkin Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself. Jim: I'm a performing songwriter in Arizona. That means I do anything else for a living, plus whatever gigs I can scare up. Things are pretty good so far, I haven't had to start robbing liquor stores or begging on street corners. LB: How did you start out making music? Jim: I got born into a farm family in North Carolina. That seems to be the root cause. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you're doing now? Jim: I listened to Doc and Merle Watson, Hank Williams, Glenn Miller, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Mason Williams, my Granpa Cliff, and the choir from the Tempting Full Gospel Church. Some of it rubbed off, some of it got ignored, and none of it made me slender or handsome. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Jim: "Rebel Souvenirs" was written with some good friends who shared the experience of growing up in the American South with me. When you are from a line of conquered people, you have a slightly different take on things. LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Jim: I play folk festivals and outdoor gigs mostly, I like the feel of walking the festival camps and swapping songs around campfires after the day has wound down. When I am performing live, folks can expect some humor, some story songs, and shameless attempts by me to pimp my latest recording at every opportunity. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Jim: I love performing for a crowd that "gets it", that are there to participate and have fun. When you get a spontaneous laugh, or catch a teardrop falling - that connection is my favorite part. Recording is hard work, but when the project is done it is a good feeling to have accomplished something. LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Jim: My music is available on CDBaby.com for physical purchase or download. Links to my four CDs are: Rebel Souvenirs: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pipkin3 Time is Talking: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pipkin2 Spirits: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pipkin1 Fruit of the Yew: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pipkin4 I'm also out on iTunes, Napster, Amazon, and a plethora of other sites. I just prefer dealing through CDBaby, they've been very cool. www.myspace.com/jimpipkin