Jim White is a Southern American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music can be described as whacked out alternative country
with an experimental feel. White
grew up in Florida surrounded by gospel music.
According to various sources, he has been a comedian,
a fashion model, a boxer, a preacher, a professional surfer, and a New York cab
driver. Before embarking on a
music career, White attended film school.
He went through a period of depression and
poverty after a bandsaw accident, which resulted in a maimed
left hand, seemed to end White's hopes as a musician. At a party organized by film school friends,
White began to perform again. After writing a collection of simple songs on his guitar, a friend
convinced him to record a demo.
His live performances are often off-beat,
blending his playlist with open discussion with the audience. He is known for his insightful storytelling and humourous anecdotes.
He has collaborated with artists including Victoria
Williams, Aimee
Mann, Barenaked
Ladies, and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell among others.
Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus is a 2004 documentary in which Jim White
describes his idea of the rural South, where country music meets Christianity. This journey takes you through a very real contemporary Southern US, a
world of marginalized white people and their unique and home-made culture. He encounters
like-minded musicians such as David Johansen, Lee Sexton, The Handsome Family, David Eugene Edwards of 16
Horsepower and Johnny
Dowd as well as some gospel churches. Jim will be screening Searching for the
Wrong-Eyed Jesus at the Calgary Folk Music Festival Boot Camp at the Plaza
Theatre on July 27, 2012. He will be in
attendance for a live acoustic performance and Q & A.
Jim is also a visual artist with some whimsical and cynical pieces.
White continues to create extraordinary, eclectic music with Where It Hits You, released earlier this year. Here he talks about some of the songs.
