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CONTACT INFORMATION: guitarjim@gmail.com
About
About
Country-Folk-Americana-Bluegrassy Guitar Picker
I am a retired Elementary School teacher, and a long-time player in the Chippewa Valley music scene. I have been making music in this area for over twenty years, and other parts of the state before that. I have recorded several CDs full of original music, available on all of the usual streaming sites. I play solo gigs, in a small combo, and even with a full band as part of The Cutaways (The Second-Best band in Western Wisconsin.)
I play a wide variety of music. My solo and small combo shows consist of singer/songwriter tunes in the spirit of my musical heroes: John Prine, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and many more lesser-known folksingers. I tend to lean toward a folky-countryish-bluegrassy-Americana sound. I will also mix in a smattering of original songs that fit in well with the cover songs: “Hats Off to Beer”, “Are You a Cheesehead?”, “Banjo in My back Seat”, and “Still in the Band” are always well-received.
The Barley Brothers are an acoustic folk string band project that typically only comes out during St. Patrick's week. We play a variety of Irish folk music and pub songs. Lots of fun...we can also be persuaded to come out during other parts of the year as well!
As indicated, I am part of a cover band – The Cutaways – and we maintain a set list full of popular and danceable songs. We play a lot of the favorite country and classic rock songs that audiences love to hear, and the dance floor is usually full by the end of the first set.
Finally, I am the bass player for a 90's alt-rock band called About a Boat. We play a mix of 90's cover songs and our own original songs influenced by that time period and genre.
2026 Schedule
2026 Schedule
February 12th: Solo 2 Roots Wine & Art - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
February 13th: Solo Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie - 2:00 - 3:00 pm
February 21st: The Cutaways Private Party: Masonic Temple - 6:30 - 8:30
March 3rd: Solo The Lakely in Eau Claire - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
March 13th: St. Patrick's Day Celebration w/ The Barley Bros. @ Ritz on the River in Ch. Falls - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
March 17th: St. Patrick's Day Celebration w/ The Barley Bros. @ 2 Roots in Eau Claire - 6:00 - 9:00 pm
March 3rd: Solo Singer/Songwriter Night @ The Garage Bike + Brews in River Falls - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
March 20th: St. Patrick's Day Celebration w/ The Barley Bros. @ 2 Roots in Eau Claire - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
April 28th: Solo Milestones Senior Living in Eau Claire - 3:00 - 4:00 pm
May 16th: The Cutaways Graduation Party in Menomonie
May 17th: Solo Beatles on the Chippewa in Durand - (my time: 4:50 - 5:10 pm)
May 22nd: Solo Bob Dylan Birthday Tribute @ 2 Roots in Eau Claire - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
May 26th: Solo The Lakely in Eau Claire - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
May 27th: Solo Cobble & Vine in Menomonie - 6:00 - 9:00 pm
May 28th: Solo The Acoustic Cafe in Eau Claire - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
June 12th: Solo Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie - 2:00 - 3:00 pm
June 12th: About a Boat Jake's on Tainter Lake - 7:00 - 11:00 pm
June 13th: Solo Farmer's Market at Wilson Park in Menomonie - 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
June 25th: Solo Farm to Fork Pizza Barn in Mondovi - 5:00 - 8:00 pm
July 10th: Solo The Lakely in Eau Claire - 6:00 - 9:00 pm
July 11th: Solo Farmer's Market at Wilson Park in Menomonie - 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
July 16th: Solo Wisconsin Farmers Union - Kamp Kenwood 75th Anniversary Open House - 6:30 - 8:00 pm
July 17th: Jim Nelson & Friends The Lakely in Eau Claire, WI - 6:00 - 9:00 pm
July 25th: Solo Vino Cappuccino in Elk Mound, WI - 5:00 - 7:30 pm
July 26th: Solo The Cobble & Vine in Menomonie, WI - 3:00 - 6:00 pm
July 30th: Solo The Lakely in Eau Claire, WI - 6:00 - 9:00 pm
August 1st: About a Boat River Siren Brewery in Stillwater - 5:00 - 8:00 pm
August 15th: Solo The Stone Barn in Nelson - 5:00 - 8:00 pm
August 21st: The Barley Bros. @ Whitehall Garden & Farmers Market - 3:00 - 6:30 pm
August 22nd: Solo Blue Hills Vineyard in Bruce, WI - 1:00 - 4:00 pm
August 30th: Solo The Cobble & Vine in Menomonie, WI - 3:00 - 6:00 pm
September 4th: Solo Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie - 2:00 - 3:00 pm
September 4th: About a Boat Jake's on Tainter Lake - 7:00 - 11:00 pm
September 6th: The Cutaways Drunk'n Monkey in Ridgeland - 2:00 - 6:00 pm
September 7th: Bluegrass on Badger Private Event in the East Hill Neighborhood of Eau Claire
September 17th: The Barley Bros. @ 2 Roots in Eau Claire, WI - 7:30 - 10:00 pm
September 19th: The Cutaways Firkin Fest @ Jake's on Tainter Lake in Menomonie - 1:00 - 5:00 pm
September 22nd: Solo The Lakely in Eau Claire - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
September 26th: Solo Farmer's Market at Wilson Park in Menomonie - 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
September 27th: Solo The Cobble & Vine in Menomonie, WI - 3:00 - 6:00 pm
October 16th: Solo Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie - 2:00 - 3:00 pm
October 17th: Solo Empty Bowl Benefit @ The Cobble & Vine in Menomonie - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
November 5th: Jim Nelson & Friends The Music of Neil Young @ 2 Roots in Eau Claire, WI - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
November 19th: Solo Singer/Songwriter Night @ The Garage Bike + Brews in River Falls - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Video
Video
This is Part One of my New Years Eve-Eve performance for the good folks at Neighbors of Dunn County health care facility. Still exercising caution at the time, they had their performers set up in their chapel and play for the camera. The performance is carried out to the TV sets in each of the residents' rooms (and other common areas of the complex.) The camera is above the door, so that's why I keep looking up there.
More Video
More Video
Beatles on the Chippewa - My portion of the seven hour program. Three songs: "Octopus' Garden", "Come Together", and "Revolution"
Sounds of the Valley
Sounds of the Valley
UWEC Student TV Broadcast - Two sets of original songs and a nice little interview!
Even more video available on my YouTube page!
CONTACT INFORMATION: guitarjim@gmail.com
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