Jim Messina proudly endorses, uses, and recommends--
• L.R.Baggs acoustic Pickups
• Elixir strings
• Taylor guitars
• Gibson Guitars
• Fender Guitars
Influences
NOTE!!!!! If you are going to request Jimmy as a FRIEND - Please do not leave a message on your friend request -OR- send him an email - Jimmy WILL NOT SEE IT!! If you would like to leave a comment that he will see - Wait for the friend request to be approved and THEN leave a COMMENT in the comment section - he will see it then! Thanks! MOO
Please note that Jimmy does not edit this myspace site--BUT---he does check it regularly!!!
Jim's parents divorced when he was still an infant, so his youth was divided between his mother's native state of Texas and his father's home in California. Jim's mom was into doo-wop, honky-tonk and early rock 'n roll, while his father - himself a semi-professional guitarist - leaned more toward the jazzabilly of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys and Spade Cooley.
Jim began learning guitar at the age of 5 and as he got older was attracted in particular to the guitar parts and sounds in early Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson records. His California roots led him to early '6O's surf music, again especially fascinated by the guitar sounds of early surf/rock groups like Dick Dale and the DelTones and the Champs.
When Jim was only 17 and a senior in high school, he was asked by a local deejay who had heard him play, to assemble a band and produce albums on two new artists the man was working with. Unsure just what producing even meant, Jim knew that he knew music, and he readily accepted the offer.
Though both albums made beelines for oblivion, the studio's engineer was impressed with Jimmy and asked him to stay on as his assistant and protégé. Over the next few years Jim became a knowledgeable and skilled recording, mixing and mastering engineer as well as musician and producer.
Jim had given up on playing professionally by then, content with the satisfaction he received from the technical side of making music, and having graduated to the position of second engineer at Hollywood's famed Sunset Sound, working with superstars-to-be, among them the Doors, Lee Michaels and Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and later Buffalo Springfield.
After engineering their second album, Buffalo Springfield Again, on which he also served as something of an uncredited producer, Jim joined the group playing bass and producing their final album, Last Time Around. When the Springfield splintered in 1968, Jim and Richie Furay, along with Rusty Young, who's played pedal steel guitar on the original "Kind Woman," were already formulating a plan to hang onto the rock 'n roll shoes while adding some spin from the country influences they'd loved and grown up on.
"Rusty was really into using the pedal steel to play rock 'n roll," recalls Jim. "It was the natural instrument to add to the band to create the feeling we were looking for."
Jim remained with Poco for less than two years, but in that short tenure Poco had not only carved out a previously unknown genre of music called country/rock, but also nurture the talents of Eagles-to-be Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmidt. "There really was a sense of something new and exciting in the air at that time," Jim says. "By the time we showcased for the heads of a number of the labels, we were tight and rehearsed and the program was sequenced, and we came on that stage like a freight train." While Poco's chart performance and commercial success was less than their historical importance, their impact was nonetheless profound.
Jim departed with hopes of returning to the producer's chair, and was soon rewarded with a six-album production deal with Columbia Records.
His first project was a young singer-songwriter named Kenny Loggins. Jim became an integral part of Loggins' debut, Sittin' In, and felt a desire to join the newcomer on his first tour until Loggins was firmly and confidently established. The credibility Jim brought from his days with both the Springfield and Poco cemented the relationship in the label's eyes.
Loggins & Messina went on to release nine albums in the next seven years, amassing sales of over 14 million units. "Poco had been some real good-time music," says Jim. "Loggins & Messina just took that a step further and made it more sophisticated and attainable, because it was so musically diverse - from folk to country/rock, to jazz or classical. Through the years, the Loggins & Messina period yielded the stuff I'm most proud of."
After a few years off for the rest and self-exploration, Jim made three solo albums in the '80s, as well as recording and touring with the original, reunited Poco when they released the album Legacy in 1989.
Solo acoustic performance dates by Jim were well-received and led to his forming a new band to tour with and do the best of his own material and as well as that of some of the illustrious company he'd kept over the years. With an album of all-new material on River North, Jim says he's enjoying discovering who he is, where he's been and where he's going.
"After all my years as a producer shaping other people's music to be the best it could possibly be, I'm just enjoying focusing my efforts and abilities on my own identity musically," he concludes. "I've just wanted to do the best work I possibly can and then let it be what it's gonna be, because there are no guarantees in this business. The only thing I hope for is that what I do will be inspiring to enough people that it will become a part of their lives and create a life of its own."
Saw the show Friday night at the Peppermill in Wendvoer. It was really good. I wish it had gone on longer!!!! Thank you for letting us still enjoy the music live!!! And as far as Barney....... He's just to scarry!!!!! (grins)
Thank You, Thank You! My wife and I drove 3 hours through snow and ice after the show in Denver and were singing and remembering a special night. You guys made every minute worth it. A wonderful night. Godspeed.
Jimmy no one plays a guitar sweeter than you do! Had there been no Loggins and Messina I would not be the songwriter and guitarist I am today. I was at Jones Beach NY and you two brought me to tears. Kenny is Angelic no doubt, and I celebrate you both home. I love the dynamic duo of you two. I never missed an album tour of the two of you and saw the farewell concert twice, and was left broken hearted. Thank you both for bringing it on back to life. You and Kenny are god's gift to this world.. I love you both with all my heart! Come see my page, as I celebrate you both home. My music is there as well and you get full credit for making me want to play guitar..You are the greatest guitarist to ever grace the planet. I adore you Jimmy!...xoxoxo...and then some
Hey Jimmy- I just HAD to catch you guys one last time before you left the East Coast. I was in the 5th row for the show at the Borgata in AC. Unbelievable concert! You and Kenny continue to amaze me, which started when I saw you guys back in 1976? where Heart was your opening act. :) Remember that one!? And who WAS that you were smiling and waving to in the front? I wish you all the best on the rest of the tour, and please return to the East Coast soon. Ralph
Hey Jim, Nice boots there, cowboy! The show last nite was just amazing. Was definitely drooling over all those gorgeous Gretsches, the Les Paul w/ Bigsby and Fenders. One of these days, maybe I'll finally get to meet one of my all-time favorite guitarists. Safe and happy travels. Mare in Polecat, CT.
Jim, I always regretted I never got to see you with Buffalo Springfield or Poco. But starting in September, 1972 I've seen you four times in Minneapolis, once in Green Bay and once in Champaign. Your show was alway great and I always left pissed because I didn't get to hear you play enough guitar. I also think you are the greatest guitarist that somehow seems to fly under the radar and doesn't get the credit you're due. Just keep doing what you're doing and I'll be a happy fan until I die. Thanks for all the great music. If you're ever in Minneapolis, contact me and I'll take you out to lunch.
Thank you, sir, for the add. I've always been a fan of live records and "Full Sail" ranks amoung the all-time best. Glad to see you're still kickin' it! Whoo Hoo! Peace, Bob "Stormcrow" Sanders
hey JIm,got to see your show in kettering friday,was my wife and mine 25th anniversary night out,,best present she ever got me.and best show I've seen in the last 30 years of goin to shows,,best wishes to you and yours in all you do.....kenny butler
I just wanted to let you know what a great time my mom and I had at your show in Council Bluffs last sat. We were fortunate enough to be front row center. You sound better than ever. One of the best shows I have seen all year. Your backup band was amazing. I have posted some really good pics. Good luck with the tour.
HEY JIM , SAW YOU AT WOODSTOCK [ BETHEL ] NY . WHEN YOU PLAYED WITH POCO AND RICHEY I LOVED IT . YOU BETTER THINK TWICE , WOW , ONE OF YOUR BEST AND OLDEST . WHEN YOU PLAYED WITH KENNY LOGGINS I THOUGHT IT WAS SO COOL FOR HIM TO SAY IT WAS YOU THAT FOUND HIM AND MADE HIM WHAT HE IS TODAY . I STILL SAY YOUR THE MAN . YOU STAND ALONE IN COUNTRY ROCK AS A PLAYER , SINGER , WRITER AND PRODUCER . YOU WILL ALLWAYS BE ONE OF MY BEST LOVED PICKERS . PEACE
Thanks for adding me indeed - I especially say this because I've had much respect for your music-(Jim) for many years. In fact, recently I browsed around a local DVD store a bit and I came across Poco's "Crazy Love" 2 disc set -- I really liked the whole DVD-(and the songs listed on the back in order were a plus to) but what grabbed me the most, was the reminder that "You better think twice" is my favorite country rock song of all time!... and Richie Furay did a fantastic job on the presentation of that song as well. So I say thank goodness for early Poco as well as of course the classic Loggins & Messina albums as well!.. Music on, -JC (of J.C. Bosco) ;)
Hey Jim- Just stopping by the let you know I thoroughly enjoyed the PNC concert Saturday Night! You and Kenny are still making magic, and your backup band was incredible! Your mandolin work on "Be Free" was unbelievable.. I loved your version of "Two Of Us". Best of luck with the rest of the tour, and thanks again so much for all the great music! Ralph
Hi Jim Messina !!!! Thanks for accepting my Friend Request !!!! I have liked ur Music going way back to the Loggins & Messina stuff !!!!!!!!!! U and Kenny Loggins created some of the most beautiful Songs ever !!!!...I checked out ur Profile and listened to all ur Songs !!!!...My Fav was " Peace Of Mind " !!!!...I liked that ons so much I added it to one of my Playlists !!!!!!!!!!!.....Check out my new Reality Show on You Tube Titled, " Cici's Reality " !!!!!....All 6 Episodes or Videos of Season One are on my Profile Page !!!!!!!!!!!!.....Have a Care Bear Day !!!!....Cici
HEY JIM , I'M GOING TO WOODSTOCK TO SEE YOU . HOPE YOU PLAY WITH POCO , TOO . WHAT A TRIP THAT WOULD BE TO SEE YOU WITH THE WHOLE BAND . THAT WOULD MAKE MY SUMMER . PEACE
Hey Jim - Looking forward to the PNC Arts Center concert in NJ next month! It's been 30 years since I've seen you and Kenny play together. That's just WAY too long! Ralph
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