Jim grew up immersed in music. Both parents played instruments and sang, as did most of
the rest of his family. Many visits to his grandparents’ home ended with the whole family
singing and playing (usually bluegrass, accompanied by piano, harmonica, guitar, ukulele,
fiddle, mandolin, and autoharp – Yee-haw!), and Doxology was always sung in 6-to-8-part
harmony before the meal. His daughter carried on the tradition as a vocal music major in
college. Over the years, Jim learned to play harmonica, ukulele, guitar, and clarinet. He has
sung in church and college choirs, a Barbershop chorus and quartet, and played in school
orchestras. When he and his wife moved to Chestertown in 2018/19, it wasn’t long before
Jim joined the Chester River Chorale, where he now sings Bass.
Jim earned a BA in English from UMBC. After a widely varied early work life, he settled into a
30-year career in the fire protection industry. He retired in 2023 and now volunteers for two
other nonprofits besides the chorale: HomePorts, Inc., and the Chestertown Lions Club,
where he works on promotion, communications, and marketing. In his “spare” time, Jim
enjoys swimming, landscaping, handy-man work, travel, and spending time with friends
and family – especially his three children and six grandchildren. …and, of course:
SINGING!