Photo by Deborah Kaspari.
A San Francisco Bay Area-native, Jim is a musician, composer, record producer, and teacher. His third-generation traditional music roots began in Arkansas with his guitar-playing grandfather who taught Jim’s father, who in turn taught Jim. This pedigree contributes to his unmistakably traditional sound.
Jim recorded Snoopy’s guitar tracks for the Peanuts animated television special “Snoopy’s Reunion†in 1991 and was the guitarist on the theme song of “The Beverly Hillbillies†movie. Jim received two Grammy award certifications and two IBMA awards for his performance on the 1996 Bluegrass Album of the Year “True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe.†He recorded with David Grisman and Sam Bush on the much anticipated album “Hold On, We’re Strummin†which was nominated for two IBMA awards. Jim is a two-time Western Open Flatpicking and Master Picking Champion.
He can be heard on the multi-million selling computer game The Sims and The Streets of Sim City.
Jim is an official Martin Guitar Company Clinician.
In 2005, Jim appeared alongside John Reischman on the Acoustic Disc release, "Tone Poets", which was produced by David Grisman. He is also the featured guitarist singing lead and harmony on The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience CD, which was released on Acoustic Disc Records in 2006.
Jim is on the latest John Reischman and the Jaybirds CD "Stellar Jays". He performs with John Reischman and the Jaybirds, The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Due West, Dix Bruce, Keith Little, and Judy Forrest. His latest project, "Gloria's Waltz" on FGM Records, was released in 2007.Jim Nunally on YouTube
Jim Nunally and Dix Bruce at NAMM
John Reischman and the Jaybirds
Jim's Recording Studio
When Jim is not on the road touring, he works in his recording studio. He has owned and operated a recording studio since 1992. Many exceptional artists have recorded at his studio. He has captured performances by artists such as:
Dix Bruce
David Grisman
Herb Pedersen
Butch Waller
The Rowan Brothers
Peter Rowan
The Kathy Kallick Band
Lynn Morris
Todd Phillips
The Stairwell Sisters
The David Thom Band
Due West
John Reischman and The Jaybirds
Laurie Lewis
Tom Rozum
Mike Marshall
Bill Evans
Rob Ickes
Joe Craven
Ivan Rosenburg
Tipsy House
Chad Manning
Lisa Aschman
Darol Anger
Nina Gerber
Scott Nygaard
The Bluegrass Intentions
Turtle Island String Quartet
and many more artists from around the globe.