Biography
The Purswaders
The Strimbling Blimbles
Acoustic Sounds of The 60's & 70's
Jim was born in Philadelphia and like many other young musicians started playing guitar when the Beatles made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. After moving to New Jersey, Jim joined up with some school buddies in 1966 to form a group called The Purswaders. The group was managed by Ralph Citro Sr. and consisted of Ron Lovett lead guitar, Andy Dilio Guitar, Ralph Citro Jr. drums, Pat McLaughlin bass guitar, Joe Di Bartolo as lead vocalist and Jim rhythm guitar. Jim teamed up with Joe to start writing songs and it wasn't long before the group signed a recording contract with MICA Records and released a 45 called "You're Mine" & "Love Is a Magic Story". The group had some local success and toured the country promoting their record with the World of Wheels Auto Show". This took them to large arenas like the Charlotte Coliseum, Philadelphia Convention Hall and The New York Coliseum. After three years touring on the road the band decided to call it quits.
Jim, Ralph, and Ron kept in touch and before too long decided to get the band back together. They added some new members-Joe Seddon, Lee Albright, and Al Webber. That was the birth of the Strimbling Blimbles. Along with a unique name came a recording contract with a major label Mercury Records and a new single entitled "Perfect Dream" & "Holding My Eyes Down". The Blimbles landed numerous appearances on Philadelphia T.V. stations, and like many other groups, played the Club scene up and down the east coast. In 1971, with members going off to College and getting married, the Boys went their separate ways. You can check out Jim's interview with 60'sGaragebands about the groups early days at
http://home.unet.nl/kesteloo/purswayders.html
In 1971, looking for a new start Jim married his girlfriend of three years Debbie. The newlyweds took off for Florida where they started their family. Over the next 30 years Jim kept up with his passion for writing and playing music. Now living in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Jim pursued his dream of writing, recording and producing a solo project. After three months in his studio the result was a CD with a collection of original songs titled "In The Middle of a Dream" With the first CD under his belt Jim is planning to work on his second CD. Jim can be found working steadily from Memorial Day through Labor Day at Local restaurants and bars in Franklin and Highlands N.C. Some of his favorite places to play are The Old Edwards Club, The Hummingbird lounge, Arts at the Lodge and The Half Mile Farm.