Episode 6
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Season 1 of “One Life” features the one and only Jim Byrnes. Jim is an incredible singer and actor who has called Vancouver home for many years. As a youngster, growing up in St. Louis, he was an alter boy at a Catholic church, but soon found a different calling after witnessing musical icons like Ike & Tina Turner at a local bowling alley, Albert King at a birthday party, and Chuck Berry playing at clubs down the street. After some early formative musical experiences, Jim found himself drafted into the Vietnam war. He says that country music saved his life, and he means it literally - he kept himself out of harm’s way in by playing Johnny Cash songs on the guitar, earning the favor of his platoon leader. After a brief return to the USA, Jim slipped across the border into Canada. He eventually made his way west to British Columbia, and in the early 70’s a tragic car accident took both his legs. Overcoming this huge obstacle, Jim has managed to live an incredibly colourful life in Vancouver, and has become one of Canada’s best-loved singers, actors and personalities. He has recorded Juno Award-winning records, performed with Ray Charles, made movies in Paris and China, and held down recurring roles in wildly successful TV shows like Highlander and Wiseguy. I’ve worked with Jim on all of his albums over the last 15 years and we’ve become great friends and co-conspirators. I’ve come to know Jim as a great raconteur - he seems to literally remember everyone he meets, and his stories and history are nothing short of epic. In this podcast, Jim tells stories from his life and career off the top of his head and as the spirit moves him, while my band improvises music behind him. We recorded all 10 parts over 2 days in Vancouver. Please subscribe now and spread the word… now sit back, and have a good listen to One Life!