Barbershop lead vocalist/choral director.

Born on September 16, 1924 in Louisville, Kentucky, Jim was a legend in the barbershop world.

Before starting his singing/directing career, Jim was an avid sports player being on the football, baseball, and lettering track team at Xavier High School in Louisville. After graduating in 1942, he became part of the University of Tennessee 1943 Sugar Bowl championship football team on a scholarship.

Jim joined the US Army during World War II and served in the European Theater as a member of the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division earning a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Prisoner of War Medal. After serving in the Army, Jim graduated from the University of Louisville in 1949. He would then serve as the assistant football coach for Falget High School from 1947-1959.

Jim began singing with the Louisville Thoroughbreds in the late 50’s and was a member of the chorus when they won their first international championship in 1962. He took over as director in 1963 and directed the chorus until 1985. He then would direct Cincinnati’s Southern Gateway Chorus from 1986, 1990-95. Both of these choruses he lead to a total of 8 international championships. In addition to those two choruses, he also directed Louisville’s Kentuckiana and Derby City Choruses, both of which were Sweet Adeline Choruses.

Jim was an avid quartet man. His first major quartet was the Derbytowners which won the 1959 Cardinal District Championship. Jim’s most notable quartet was the Citations. They won the 1965 Cardinal District Championship and went on to achieve many more great things. In 1972, they went on a USO tour of Vietnam performing for the troops there. They competed at International 11 times finishing as high as 7th in the world.

Jim was inducted to the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Hall Of Fame in 2005. He was also inducted to the Cardinal District, Johnny Appleseed District, PPAGL, Southern Gateway Chorus, and St. Xavier Halls Of Fame. He also received the Joe Liles Lifetime Achievement Award as well as many more awards.

Jim passed away on October 27, 2011 at the age of 87. To this day, his impact is still felt by all who knew him and his been passed down to many more.