Never My Love, we started this morning tracking this old song by “The Association” I always thought this song was really cheesy but when I got into the lyrics it is a far cry from anything cheesy. It’s a song about a man making commitment to his lady. I was so moved as we were tracking this it was all I could do to sing. We really stripped the track way down and it fells like an new school R&B tune. It just kicks.

Check Your Blues at the Door, You know how sometimes you let the trouble from the day come home with you? Well that’s what this song is not about. It’s an old school cookin’ blues shuffle about leaving your blues outside. It’s a song I have been trying to write for at least five years and today I finally did it.

Tobacco Road, This is a tune I have always loved and I wrote this killer arrangement for this is one hard driving tune.

Can I Change My Mind, this is an old school soul song that we slowed way down. For those of you who don’t know the song it about a guy who was trying to bluff his lady and see just told him to hit the road. Now he’s sorry and is asking if he can change his mind. I know for sure there have been times in my life when I needed another chance. How about you?

So that was the day. Craig Kew & Lester Estelle have done a fabulous job on these tracks. So I am again beat so later dudes….

Peace,

Jimmie

Man! I’m tired. But it’s one of those good tired, you know a happy thing, after you’ve worked hard all day a got a lot done and you’re really happy with it. That’s exactly how I feel.

Today we started at 10:00 AM tracking here’s what happened,

“Feels Like Friday” which is almost an up tempo big band jazz swing thing, only with the big band. It is one of my favorite songs that I have written. The music came about one night as we were setup for a sound check. I turned on the voice recorded on my phone and captured the moment. When inspiration happens you better be ready and I was that time.

“Nowhere to Go But Down” encouraging sounding isn’t it? It is a hard driving guitar tune about depression. The hook of the song is “when there’s nowhere to go but down, I’m looking up”. I’ve spend too much time depressed and I know for me the answer is change my perspective. I know that’s may not be you’re answer but it’s mine.

Then on to “Jupiter & Mars” a song about temptation that my son Jason wrote. This is one powerful song with great lyrics, groove and guitar. I think I have written five of six different versions of this song. I refuse to quit on it and finally today it is as it was meant to be.

We broke for lunch about 3:30 and came back and tracked a really funky tune call “57″. For you non-musician types a Shure SM57 is about the best microphone ever built. So I was inspired one night while watching U2′s Shake Rattle & Hum so I wrote a song about a microphone. I know it’s crazy but this album is all about fun and all of my guitars are being recorded on 57′s.

Then finally we recorded a cover of The Beatles song Drive My Car. I have always loved this song. We slowed it down and poured a bunch of grease on it and man! It’s funky. Dave Autry came up with this arrangement maybe you’ve heard us play it live?

Well that was the day, let me close with this. I hope that you are living your dream! This morning early Sherri sent me a picture of myself at about 7 or 8 years old holding my first guitar. She reminded me that I am living the dream that I had when I was a little boy. What a wonderful God that loves us so much that He would have a plan for our lives. Makes me want to worship! Well I’m beat! So tomorrow we go at it again.

Guitar Man

Peace,

Jimmie

Well the day has arrived as I find myself this morning in south TN just getting ready to head to Bessie Blue Studios to start recording. I am happy to be working with my friend producer Jim Gaines. I’ve poured my heart & soul into the songs and I’ve got a truck load of guitars and amps, my bassist Craig Kew is with me and we will joined by my friend Lester Estelle Jr. on drums. I promised Lester 10 years ago that we would work together on one of my albums so this is the one and I am a man of my word.

I am a bit anxious I must admit.  I presently have only 5 of the songs completed for the album. I have a bunch of other songs, ideas and tunes and we are planning on building on them in the studio. I am a guy that likes to be prepared but I am good with this. It will be fun to see how the songs and ideas grow into “chart topping hits”.

My main goal for this album is for it to be “happy”. I am some times to serious “seriously” and I wanted to make this album reflect how blessed I am in life. I have other goals too but this one is the one that I hope is most reflected in the album.

So today we start. I’ll be posting stuff pictures and some video as I can. Thanks of for caring and sharing in this wonderful event in my life.

Peace & Happiness,

Jimmie

Cross Rhythms UK June 2011

Reviewed by Tim Holden

Blues has always been an intensely personal music that comes from the heart and this is no exception. Kansas City-based Jimmie’s conversion and subsequent ministry has provided much experience for him to write from and the passion comes through in the music. Starting with an almost country opener “It’s A New Day” with its upbeat celebration of conversion, the styles vary from the power ballad “God Screams” through to the harmonica-laden acoustic blues of “I’ll Be Me”. The production and arrangements are excellent and work just as well on the full on, full band tracks as they do with a pared back acoustic number. Do not be fooled into thinking blues means depressing either as this album will not fail to lift the spirits and is almost a master class in blues and blues-influenced music.

Sherri, Jason, Amanda and I would like for you our friends to share in our joy as we welcome into our family my daughter Jessica. There is a huge God story attached to this announcement that we will in detail revel in the coming days.

No I didn’t have an affair. Jessica is from a relationship that I had before I meet Sherri. The “details” will follow as soon as possible all of us will be sharing something about our part in this remarkable event.

Please know I consider this to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. It is very deep, very spiritual, extremely personal and extremely wonderful. It has shown me much about myself, my family and God’s great care and love for His children.

We welcome Jessica, her husband LeRoy and their sons Matt, Seth, Aaron & Jacob in to our family. We are extremely excited and honored to have them be part of us.

Peace & Blessings,

Jimmie, Sherri, Jason & Amanda

I have been working hard most of this year writing and recording a new CD titled “Exchange”. “Exchange” is my finest work to date. I know that’s a bold statement but I think it’s true and I want you to hear it as soon as possible.

So here is the deal. We are not quite done with the entire CD but we are half way there. So we have put half of the songs on a pre-release CD and for $20.00 we will send you the pre-release CD today then sometime before March 22, 2011 we will send you a signed copy of the new CD at no additional cost. Then you’ll have two CD’s the pre-release and the entire “Exchange” CD, so you can give one away or sell one on eBay? Here is a link where you can buy yours, click here

One of the songs featured on “Exchange” is “God Screams” which you can hear “God Screams” on my Facebook fan page click here then click on the “Band Profile” tab and give it a listen and let me know what you think. Oh if your not a fan on my Facebook fan page click on Like first.

We are attempting to reach millions with the message of the gospel that is woven into every song on Exchange and for sure the message from “God Screams”. In purchasing a pre-release you are helping us with our mission.  Sure the music is great but that is not the goal. The goal is as many people as possible hearing the gospel and you can help us by ordering a pre-release or better yet several today. Thank you in advance….

Peace & Merry Christmas,

Jimmie
PS, I’ll be glad to sign the pre-release too. It will make a great gift and it’s a gift that will give twice. Once now and again before March 22.

Like anything event in the biker community it has to grow. This is the 70th year of the Sturgis Rally and it is the biggest one that I have ever seen. Our performances here have been remarkable. Our first day at The Chip and the after party 12:00 AM till 1:45 was really something. The Main Street Stage has been really outstanding as people are so open to receive the music, message and the CD’s that we are giving away. On Sunday as we were just about to start a man came up to the stage and told me this story. He said that he was walking by the stage last year and someone gave him a CD. He said that he loved the music and one day when he was really feeling down he put the CD in and all of a sudden the track “As the Story Goes” (my story) started to play. He said he was inspired by the track and has been following Jesus ever since that day! Now that’s why we do what we do. We’ve had several more stories like this one come from people who have been given a CD. The seed is working.

So I am rested and ready to do two performances tonight and bless some folks with some Good News….

Peace to y’all,
Jimmie

PS, here are some video clips from the Monday After Party click here

I am full of excitement as today we start our first day of concerts at The Legendary Buffalo Chip. I have a vision of what it will be like and I trust that it will be true. I know my band are some of the best players on earth and I know that the message in the music is powerful to heal and help. We load in at 1:00 and start playing at 5:00PM our second set tonight is from Midnight till 1:45 AM. I know there will be a “Party Going On” then for sure and we are going to be in the middle of it doing what we do…. More later.

Peace to y’all,
Jimmie

Words cannot describe how excited I am to be able to take the music and the message to the thousands of folks who will hear us, either at The Legendary Buffalo Chip or on Main Street. We are two thirds of the way to making our budget of $35,825.00 and by faith we believe for all to be meet. We have received gifts from some unexpected places and also some of the churches where I’ve ministered lately have given generously. We still need help to cover this our largest event in the history of our ministry.

If you would like to assist us click here to contribute or you can mail a check to,

Ransom Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 901495
Kansas City, MO 64190

We are also looking for an additional van to transport some of our crew. So if you have a road worthy van give me a call (816) 294-1113.

Peace & Blessings,

Jimmie

PS, here is a link to a video about the events click here….