Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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JIM and JESSE

Bluegrass duo. Jim (guitar; b 13 Feb. '27; d 31 Dec. 2002) and Jesse McReynolds (mandolin; b 9 July '29) both vocalists, both from a musical family in Coeburn VA; fiddler grandfather had recorded for Victor. Raised on a Clinch Mountain farm, began playing as teenagers, on radio from '47, recorded for Kentucky label early '50s, then Capitol. Jesse was in the armed forces '52-4, entertained troops with Charlie Louvin; re-formed with Jim '54; led band the Virginia Boys. The folk boom of the early '60s led to discovery by a new young audience; they signed to Epic and had country hits including 'Cotton Mill Man' and 'Better Times A'Coming' '64, 'Diesel On My Tail' and 'Ballad Of Thunder Road' '67, 'Greenwich Village Folksong Salesman', 'Yonder Comes A Freight Train' and 'Golden Rocket' '68. Meanwhile they moved to Nashville, became regulars on Grand Ole Opry from '66, and were back on Capitol with 'Freight Train' '71. Their high-flying harmonies and immaculate picking remained a popular act; they played at London's Wembley Country Music Festival many times. Epic hits '63-4 have been reissued on Rounder, also In The Tradition '88; there were two more sets on Country Music Heritage.