Robert Zimmerman, John Prine, Lou Reed, Johnny Cash, Kurt Vonnegut, Henry David Thoreau, Neil Young, Lucinda Williams, Eugene V. Debs, John Lennon, Buddy Holly, Woody Guthrie, Vesper Sparrow, Fred Neil, Warren Zevon
Jim Wurster was born in the year of 1952, in a juke joint in Tupelo, Mississippi, while his mother was bogeying to the sounds of Howlin’ Wulff. Jim received his first guitar at the tender age of six months, just two months after he had taken his first step. A child prodigy, he was asked to join the legendary bluesman Charlie “Chickenshack” Caminski as second guitarist in 1965. His stint with Caminski was cut short when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969 to serve in the Vietnam conflict. Upon returning home from the war, he resumed his musical career as a solo artist playing coffeehouses and juke joints throughout the South. Later that year, Jim was asked to open a tour with Janet Joplin. The two struck up a relationship and became lovers until Janet’s death from an apparent overdose in 1970. Heartbroken and depressed, Wurster retreated to the studio to record his classic album. Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Although praised by critics around the world, the album sold less than a 300 copies. As a result of this commercial failure, Wurster was dropped by his label. Sinking into depression again, he dropped out of music and spent the next several years in the Dorothea Dix Asylum in Austin, Texas. In the meantime, Over the Cuckoo’s Nest became an underground classic. Today copies exchange hands for as much as $1,000. While Jim was going through therapy, a book based on his classic album was written by the Beat author Ken Kasey and in 1975 it was made into a movie starring Jack Nickelsan. Following his release from the asylum, Wurster became a dolphin trainer in Marathon, Florida. While working with the dolphins, Wurster was arrested for releasing the mammals from captivity. Considered a serious crime in Florida, he spent his next two years in prison. While in jail, he once again began writing music and upon his release formed the band Black Janet, named after his deceased lover. After fronting Black Janet for six years, Wurster left the group to pursue a solo career. Hist first solo release, Goodbye Paradise, a ten-song album of roots rock material, was well received. The Denver Post’s Steven Rosen hailed the recording for “having the same haunting qualities as (Buddy) Holly’s work did.” Last year, Jim re-recorded Black Janet's "Masters of Deception" with Endemik Music recording artist Skyrider. The label released the song as a 7"single. A recent collaboration between Jim, Skyrider and Bleubird ("God's Guns") can be found on Bleubird's new release, r.i.p. USA. Hallelujah is his latest offering. Wurster contends that this new collection of songs is an outline of his platform for the 2008 presidential election. He has since announced that he is resurrecting the Populist Party of the late nineteenth century.
that wings' song is still stuck in my head. its an amazing song.
i hope all is well, and i gotta let you know, that i got a 3 on the ap exam! thanks wurster! i passed. but i'm curious, do you know if colleges in florida accept 3s?
awww.. thanks jim!! what a great compliment.. i love that song "shelter"... and well.. of course dusty is amazing!!! please keep in touch and maybe you'll sign up for the mailing list at rubyjames. com... you can also check out more music there from my first full length album, desert rose.. i'm really excited about it!!! xo ruby
We generally only accept friend requests from other fellow Christian bands and girls with enormous breasts, but we will make a one-time exception in your case Mr Wurster.
Thanks for being my friend ! Now you can have and download the title tracks to my three recent releases for free! Check em' out! .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. <td width="178" height="35" ..&quo
Sounds like wind blowing in a wheatfield, train rolling down the line, rain coming down on a old tin shed, steel, wire and a rusty heart. Boots of leather and dust and ash. Mollasess and coal and stone. Wedding rings and buried bones of love broken and burnt. Tales and the footprints, ravenswings and souls are earnt."
Thanks jim--it's one i sing rarely and carefully--many memories-hope the tea was pleasurable too:))--i'll be in florida again---someday!-straight ahead-
Hi Jim .....How's your summer unfolding? ..... I'm drowning in inspiration ..... it feels good but I'm restless. I really think that you have some classic songs here .... best regards, kc
NATURAL CAUSES REUNION SHOW
We are having a send off for some good friends out of Miami Beach and things may never be the same.
Because of this we have decided to have a Natural Causes Reunion show in thier honor, In all of you honors.
WE are flying in from all over.
Please join us.
NATURAL CAUSES
FRI. MAY 11, 2007
@
The Office
Arlan Feiles : piano, vox
Joel Schantz: Guitar
Sean Edelson: Guitar
Matt Coogan : Bass
Sean "Bird Man" Gould: Bass
Karen Feldner: Keys and Vox
Ari Schantz: Drums.
This is a once in a millenium event. People are flying in from all over the Country with the news of this event
DONT MISS IT!
hope to see you all there
Arlan
Hello Jim..... I hope that you are having a most wonderful Easter.... I have a couple copies of some rare Americana compilations that I should send to you....they come out once a year in the Oxford American Magazine... talk to you soon.... Kelly
So Happy to see you....I've always had a great deal of respect for the depth of character that your songs express. Looking foward to hearing more... all the best to you sweet Jim. Kelly
