The Rimbender Band is Jimi Sellars, Jim Russell, James Kamanski and Greg Carter. The band was formed when three musicians decided to take their music hobby one step further and move on up to another level. We played some great gigs and were fired from some bad ones as well. About six years ago James and I were backing up a very talented performer by the name of Tamara Pierce. We played lots of good gigs in Chicago and southeastern Wisconsin. Then we met
Jim Russell (notice a pattern here) Jim was a breath of fresh air for us and brought a new sound as well as the ability to make any song his own. I had been writing for years and Jim was the vocalist I had been looking for forever. A talented song smith in his own right we just clicked. We started doing some small shows and were writing together until we completed our debut CD Rimbender, Acoustic Harmonies. But what is a Rimbender???? Well besides being musicians were were crazy triathletes too. One time during a race Greg hit a pothole and said to me " that was a rim bender" and the rest is history. By the way Greg is the only member not named James at birth but we let him play anyways when we do any party gigs were we need to play lots of covers. He started out as a student and graduated to rhythm and vocalsJim Russell: Various Guitars, Vocals, mandolin, ukulele, Harmonica, and Ebow
Jim is a talented songwriter and singer. He likes to go with the flow and has an
smooth easy style that fits anything he decides to tackle.
Dr Jim recently finished Dr school and has been practicing in Milwaukee.
He also is married and shares his life with his beautiful wife Laura.
James Kamanski: James plays drums, keyboards, piano and many many percussion
instruments. James and I have been playing together for over 20+ years.
He helps out on vocals and always has a quick comment to spice things up.
He fights with computers 7 days a week. He is single, shy and the catch of a lifetime.
Greg (Jim) Carter: Greg started out as one of my many totally corrupted guitar students. He now fills in when we play long shows and need the assistance of a good cover singer. He excels in the country rock vocal and has lots of fun on the stage. Greg owns a successful business in the Milwaukee area.
He has a pretty wife, Kathy and is blessed with two perfect boys.
And Me Jimi Sellars: I play Guitar, bass, harmonica, midi wind controller, woodwinds, didgeridoo and whatever I can get my hands on.
I am very lucky to teach guitar/bass/songwriting for a living as well as being a part time recording engineer/producer.
And I was lucky enough to spend the best 27 years of my life with my wife Nancy.
Influences
Jimi, From rock & folk concerts in the 70's to going to Count Basie, Gerry Mulligan shows with my Dad. In the eighties I started doing solo shows and really got into indie stuff.
And last but not least I get a lot of influence from my awesome guitar students.
They keep me young and turn me onto all sorts of really good stuff (music that is)
Jim's influences are very eclectic, Lyle Lovete, Shawn Collvin, Toad the wet sprocket, Patti Griffin and on and on.
James listens to anything as long as it's not in 4/4, just kidding, well not really if he had his way.
Greg is easy country, country and country
Jimi Sellars’s life in music is a story of love of music, a woman and of a commitment to song that impacts the lives of people. The Milwaukee based singer, songwriter, engineer and music teacher’s commitment to enrich the lives of others through song shines through all his musical endeavors. Coming straight from the heart, his songs speak with a directness and simplicity that is downright moving.
Jimi grew up on the south side of Milwaukee, in a house filled with music. “My Dad was a musician when he was younger,” remembers Jimi. “He took me to see Count Basie when I was young. There was always a reel to reel playing.” Influenced by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and many of the late 60’s songwriters.
Jimi worked with several artists and music students, and took his songwriting and engineering to a new level. “Songwriting became far easier for me – all the things I went through gave me endless amounts of material to cover. But one thing that I taught myself was to write stories that weren’t about me – that were in someone else’s perspective. That’s a true skill, and one that I’m proud to have.” He also found a great partner in Jim Russell in the Rimbender Band, which released the CD, Acoustic Harmonies. “Jim is a tremendous singer, and being that he’s seventeen years younger than me, he has a different musical perspective. Sometimes we’ve clashed, but it’s always led to good things,” says Jimi.
Life was good for Jimi – he had plenty of students, artists were using his material, and he was recording many artist as an engineer and producer. But life then dealt Jimi its harshest blow. On July 9, 2008, a drunk driver killed his wife Nancy, the woman who had urged Jimi to follow his musical passion. For Jimi, it was devastating, but it has only made him more determined to succeed in music. He explains, “Nancy was an incredible woman. She was always my motivator – but I want to honor her by succeeding as a songwriter. I’m going to keep her alive in a way with the songs I write. This isn’t about money for me, it’s about love.”
As a songwriter, Jimi keeps it simple. “My writing is very basic,” he says. “I just speak from the heart. Sometimes I can craft a song, but the best ones are when they just come out. My songs have been recorded by bands and artists locally and regionally and I’ve been able to music placed in a few television and radio commercials. But I’m ready to take everything to the next level.”
Jimi Sellars has always been a man that has been unstoppable in the pursuit of the things he loves. That shines through in his songs, his recordings and in his teaching. Committed as he is to being a contribution through music, this is a story that is only in the middle of being told – and it’s an extraordinary one that others would do well to know of, and take inspiration from.
today we had the first meeting for that group i talked about, and i referenced you to the advisor. I gave her your cell phone number, so I would expect a phone call in the coming weeks. tony
Did you call me? Because i have a new voicemail but i cant check my missed calls becuase my phone had died on me. It sounded like you on the voicemail and I wasnt sure what it said. Ya gimme a call or leave a message if that was the case.
you'll be in my prayers man keep the faith especially in times like these, it really hurts to see this happen to a guy like you, jimi, cuz your part of the dying breed of genuinely nice people. i could definitely tell this when i first met you, and the impression never left. God bless, Tony Bannach
Alright man, was worried that u didnt like the song, but great comparison with "dark side of the moon";)... and the army photos are 4real, but im finished with my service since 3 months and i hope im never called back, fuck these militant fuckers, every person who joins the army at free will is kinda funny in the brain, thats what i think. in austria you HAVE TO serve for 10 months. the photo with longer hair was from before the army... and i grew up with skiing, and thats the only thing austria is good at (besides designing arms and tanks and coming up with redbull.)
I'm so glad that we're friends! I'm excited about my album. It's now available at www.cdfreedom.com/coriyarckin, www.cdbaby.com/yarckin, Amazon (just search for Yarckin) and even BestBuy.com... among other locations. The songs can be downloaded from cdfreedom.com and iTunes (many countries!). If you want to add on of the songs on my profile to your page, just click on "add" under the song and it will play whenever your page is opened! I really appreciate your support. If you like my music, I hope you'll buy a copy of my cd.
