Jim Stafford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Wayne "Jim" Stafford (born January 16, 1944, in Eloise, Florida) is an American comedian and musician, and singer, who was prominent in the 1970s and continues his fame today at his namesake theatre, The Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson, Missouri. 2008 brings him into his 19th season there performing daily in his own show as a singer, musician and comedian. His children, Shea and G.G. accompany him on stage in one of Branson's premier shows! Jim Stafford has been voted Branson's Best Entertainer. Stafford had hits with the songs "Spiders and Snakes", "Swamp Witch", "Wildwood Weed", the controversial "My Girl, Bill", and "Turn Loose Of My Leg".


Contents

[edit] America’s Favorite Jim Stafford Songs

In 1974, Jim wrote and recorded his first chart making song, “The Swamp Witch”, produced by his boyhood friend Kent LaVoie, (known as Lobo). He followed with a gold single, “Spiders and Snakes”, which peaked at #3 on the American pop charts, and stayed on the chart for 26 weeks. The hits just kept coming and included “My Girl Bill” (#12), “Wildwood Weed” (#7), and the wonderfully satirical “Cow Patti”, written for the Clint Eastwood movie, Any Which Way You Can, in which Jim appeared.

[edit] National Television Star

Jim launched his television career with The Jim Stafford Show on ABC in 1975. His numerous television appearances included music specials, variety shows, and talk shows. He co-hosted the popular prime-time show “Those Amazing Animals” with Burgess Meredith and Priscilla Presley. Jim also hosted 56 episodes of “Nashville on the Road” and made 26 appearances on the “Tonight Show”. He has hosted many major award programs, including four True Value/GMC Truck Country Showdowns. In 1987 and 1988, Jim was a regular performer and head writer/producer for the Emmy-nominated Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He has also worked with Joan Rivers, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Bruce Springsteen, and many others.

[edit] Songwriter

Jim wrote many of the songs for which he is famous and has brought his inimitable style to several movie soundtracks. He received a gold record for his work in the Disney movie, The Fox and The Hound, and writes for other popular artists such as his “Can’t Get the Hell out of Texas”, recorded by George Jones and Jerry Reed. Recently Jim has written and recorded such songs as “Don’t Tell Mama I’m A Guitar Picker”, “Don’t Be Chicken When It’s Time to Crow”, “Talk That Guitar” and more. He just released his second classical guitar album, “Somewhere In Time” (March 2002)


[edit] Live Performer

Jim’s first love has always been to perform in front of a live audience. This love brought him to Branson, Missouri, where he owns a theater and entertains visitors all year long. The singer, songwriter, comic genius, and entertainer extraordinaire is self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, harmonica, and the human brain – he might bring any of them into play at any moment. Blimps whirl, flying saucers hover, guitars drop, cows stampede, tornados touch down and Chihuahuas are saved, all in one experience at the Jim Stafford Show. From the opening moments of his zany show you’re in for an action packed adventure and some incredible guitar playing. Laser lights, a real 3-D Virtual Thrill Ride (created and developed in-house at Jim’s theater), black light magic and more are just a few of the deliriously delightful surprises that await you at the Jim Stafford Theatre. Jim arrived in Branson in 1990 and has entirely remodeled his theater in a unique art deco style, reminiscent of the great theaters of the 40’s and 50’s. From the award winning landscaping to the lighting and sound, Jim’s theater adds to the complete enjoyment of his visitors.


[edit] Personal

Jim Stafford, his wife, Ann, and their two children, Sheaffer and GG, live just outside of Branson, on Table Rock Lake. Ann is a behind the scenes creative and business partner. Sheaffer is 15 years old now and has joined his father on stage since he was 10 days old. Sheaffer plays the drums, slide guitar, fiddle, glockenspiel, and piano during the show. GG (Georgia Garland) is 11 years old and also joins her father on stage. Jim was born in Winterhaven, Florida and recently inducted into the Polk County (Florida) Hall of Fame. In high school, Jim and his friends, songwriter Bobby Bradock, Kent LaVoie and Gram Parsons (of the Byrds) played together in a band with Jumpin’ Bill Carlisle. Jim was introduced to comedy playing in Nashville as a young musician. While writing, producing, directing, and performing his own show, Jim has twice received the Area Appreciation award for his service to the Tri-Lakes Community (1992 & 1997). Along with this, Jim hosted, co-wrote, and produced the nationally syndicated radio show, Branson USA; received the Mayflower Tours, Inc. award as one of their top ten suppliers in North America; co-wrote the script for the show “Patsy” and wrote and produced the new musical theme of the Ozarks Discover IMAX Theater in Branson entitled “Neighbors”. Recently, Jim’s play Neighborhood Watch premiered on the Springfield Little Theatre stage and ran for a season in Branson. Jim and his wife Ann received the coveted Ambassadors Award from the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and led the drive to extend Branson to a year round destination in a promotion called “Hot Winter Fun”. Jim says of his life on Table Rock Lake, “Every day in Branson is a wonderful day, if you don’t think so, just try skipping one…It’s exciting having the opportunity to do what I enjoy the most and be a part of a wonderful community like Branson”.


[edit] Jim Stafford’s Awards

1981: RIAA Certified Gold Sales Award for his work on Walt Disney’s Film The Fox and The Hound 1995: Silver TV spot “Tea Party” 1997: Jim & Ann received Ambassadors Award from Branson/Lakes Area Chamber 1998: Silver Print Ad “The Nut’s On Top” 1998: Gold Radio :30 spot “E.I.E.I.O” 1999: 417 Magazine voted Jim Best Branson Entertainer 2000: Inducted into the Polk County, Florida Hall of Fame 2000: Ozarks News Leader voted Jim Best Branson Entertainer/Personality 2000: Ozarks News Leader voted Jim Best Branson Comedy Show 2001: Inducted into Polk County Public School Hall of Fame 2001: Ozark News Leader voted Jim Best Branson Entertainer 2002: Gold CD/DVD Packaging “Somewhere In Time” 2002: Gold Print Ad “You’ll Never Guitar’d of Jim Stafford” 2003: Silver Radio :30 spot “Doctor What Do I Do?” 2003: Gold Radio :30 spot “Don’t Be Chicken!” 2003: Silver Radio Campaign “Is It a Song or Is It A Radio Ad?” 2004: Telly for the TV Commercial “Let Me Pick One” 2004: Jim participated in Honorable Mentions for the Branson’s Fun For Everyone Committee for the song used on the video “Branson’s Fun For Everyone” and for the song “Branson’s Got More Then A Hundred Shows!” 2006: Philanthropy Award from the St. Louis Peregrine Society, Inc. 2006: Silver Internet Advertising for “Welcome To My Website” 2006: Gold Sound “Even Santa Vacations In Branson!” created for Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB

[edit] Hit Singles

  • "Swamp Witch" (1973) - U.S. #39
  • "Spiders and Snakes" (1973) - U.S. #3 (Gold)
  • "My Girl Bill" (1974) - U.S. #12
  • "Wildwood Weed" (1974) - U.S. #7
  • "Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne" (1974) - U.S. #24
  • "Jasper" (1976) - U.S. #69
  • "Turn Loose of My Leg" (1977) - U.S. #98


[edit] Discography

Spiders & Snakes Released 1974

1. Spiders & Snakes 2. Undecided 3. Nifty Fifties Blues 4. Swamp Witch 5. Wildwood Weed 6. Last Chant 7. Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne 8. Real Good Time

Jim Stafford Released 1974 Label: Polygram Records

1. L.A. Mamma 2. I Ain’t Sharin’ Sharon 3. Medley: Mr. Bojangles/A Visit With An Old Friend 4. Wildwood Weed 5. 16 Little Red Noses and a Horse That Swears 6. Spiders And Snakes 7. The Last Chant 8. My Girl Bill 9. Nifty Fifties Blues 10. A Real Good Time 11. Swamp Witch

Not Just Another Pretty Foot Released 1975

1. Making Love With The Headphones On 2. None of Us Are Here 3. I Got Stoned And I Missed It 4. I Can't Find Nobody Home 5. Lady Greenfeet 6. You'll Never Take Me Alive 7. Midnight Snack 8. Bring Me You 9. Got Down 10. Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne 11. I Ain't Working


Back To Back: Ray Stevens & Jim Stafford Released 1992 Label: K-Tel

1. Ahab the Arab (Ray Stevens) 2. Harry the Hairy Ape (Ray Stevens) 3. Jeremiah Peabody’s Polyunsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleas (Ray Stevens) 4. Speedball (Ray Stevens) 5. The Streak (Ray Stevens) 6. Spiders and Snakes (Jim Stafford) 7. Wildwood Weed (Jim Stafford) 8. My Girl Bill (Jim Stafford) 9. Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne (Jim Stafford) 10. I Got Stoned and Missed It (Jim Stafford)


Jim Stafford’s New Deal Released 1993 Label: Strats Publishing

1. Coyote On A Barbed Wire fence 2. Just Plain Folks 3. Rolling Around Up In Heaven 4. Talk That Guitar 5. Down South 6. Gamble And Chance 7. Hurricane Laverne 8. If Things Could Talk 9. Don’t Forget The Hard Times 10. Leave Your Whiskey Be 11. Driving Back to Boulder


Jim Stafford Live… In Branson Released 1995 Label: Strats, Inc.

1. Rollin’ Around Up In Heaven, Dixie, Turn Loose of My Leg, That’s What Little Kids Do 2. Rockabilly Shuffle, Amazing Grace, Wildwood Flower, Wildwood Weed, Layenda Pipeline, Shenandoah, Cow Patti 3. Banjo Medley,Music of the Night,Spiders & Snakes 4. Swamp Witch, Mr. Bojangles- (a.)“A Visit With An Old Friend”, Flight of the Bumblebee, Classical Gas


Ultimate Released 1995

1. Coyote On A Barbed Wire Fence 2. Gamble And Chance 3. Driving Back To Boulder 4. Talk That Guitar 5. Don’t Forget The Hard Times 6. Spiders And Snakes 7. Wildwood Weed 8. My Girl Patti 9. Cow Patti 10. Mr. Bojangles


Jim Stafford Greatest Hits Released 1995 Label: Curb

1. Spiders And Snakes 2. Wildwood Weed 3. My Girl Bill 4. Turn Loose of My Leg 5. Cow Patti 6. You Can Call Me Clyde 7. Don’t Forget The Hard Times 8. Don’t Fool Around When There’s a Fool Around 9. One Step Ahead of The Law 10. The Fight



Jim Stafford Guitar Gold Released 1996 Label: Strats, Inc.

1. Freight Train 2. Honky Tonk 3. Windy & Warm 4. Sleepwalk 5. Guitar Boogie 6. Apache 7. Stardust 8. Wheels 9. Walk Don’t Run 10. Tigers Rag


Jim Stafford’s Gospel Guitar Released 1996 Label: Strats, Inc.

1. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms 2. Softly And Tenderly 3. Do Lord 4. Old Rugged Cross 5. What A Friend We Have In Jesus 6. Amazing Grace 7. Just A Closer Walk 8. In The Garden 9. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 10. Just As I Am


Jim Stafford Plays Harmonica Released 1997 Label: Strats Publishing, Inc.

1. Memory 2. Wildwood Flower 3. Shenandoah 4. Cherry Pink 5. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry 6. Branson Blues 7. Music of the Night 8. Moulin Rouge 9. Danny Boy 10. Tennessee Waltz 11. Moon River


Best of Jim Stafford Released 1998 Label: PSM

1. Spiders And Snakes 2. Undecided 3. Nifty Fifties 4. Swamp Witch 5. The Last Chant 6. Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne 7. A Real Good Time 8. 16 Little Red Noses and a Horse That Swears 9. I Ain’t Sharin’ Sharon


Somewhere in Time Released 2002 Label: Strats, Inc.

1. Meditation 2. Sweet Georgia Brown 3. Maria Elena 4. Out of Nowhere 5. Somewhere In Time 6. Perfidia 7. Yesterday 8. Topsy 9. Shadow of Your Smile 10. I’ll See You In My Dreams


Don’t Tell Mama I’m A Guitar Picker Released 2002 Label: Strats, Inc.

1. Don’t Tell Mama 2. Bluegrass Growing In My Yard 3. Hwy 60 Blues 4. A Real Good Time 5. Guitar Heroes 6. Turn Loose of My Leg 7. When You Walked Away From Me 8. Flat Nose Tree Climbing Dog 9. A Little Bit Late 10. Guitar Acrobat


Jim Stafford Greatest Hits Released 2002 Label: Strats, Inc.

1. Spiders & Snakes 2. I Ain’t Sharin” Sharon 3. My Girl Bill 4. The Last Chant 5. Wildwood Weed 6. Mr. Bojangles- Visit With An Old Friend 7. Cow Patti 8. I Can’t Find Nobody Home 9. Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne 10. Swamp Witch

[edit] Trivia

In addition to his recording work, Stafford hosted his own summer TV variety show in 1975. In the late 1970s, he was married for a short time to the singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry (of "Ode to Billie Joe" fame).

[edit] References

  • Roland, Tom. (1998). "Jim Stafford." In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Ed. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 500.

[edit] External links


 United States This article about a United States singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Languages