Jim is an instrument builder, a fine musician and a recording artist. Besides the two hammered dulcimer recordings featured on this site, Jim has produced a number of recordings of songs and instrumental music from the Civil War period, as well as a Christmas album with Sheila Kay Adams.

     Jim is also well known for his high quality hammered dulcimers, and he built the instrument which Timmy plays in concert. Get in touch with him by e-mailing Jim at jctda3rd@earthlink.net. Here's more:

     Jim comes from a musical family in western North Carolina, but saw his first hammered dulcimer while in graduate school in Ft. Worth, TX. There he came under the influence of Russell Cook, Dana Hamilton, Linda Lowe Thompson, and other, fine players in the region.

     Returning home, Jim began building dulcimers in his parents' garage, and, in 1988, released his first CD, Come Before Winter, a compilation of traditional Celtic music with several of his own compositions written specifically for the hammered dulcimer.

     When he's not reenacting the Civil War or hiking, Jim continues to build instruments in his own shop and play traditional music with his wife, Sheila Kay Adams. Recently graduating from Western Carolina University with an MA in American History, Jim has combined his love for traditional music and history in several CDs including "The Civil War Collection", Volumes 1 & 2, and "The Bright Sunny South, Songs From The Civil War".