Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Briggs.
Hi Jim, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started playing music at age nine. It became apparent to my family and I very quickly that music would play a big part in my life. I started on the guitar and picked up the drums soon after. I absorbed everything I could, rocking out to Green Day on the guitar and trying to keep up with Buddy Rich on the drums. After high school, I attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where I received a BM in Jazz Composition. I spent three years as a cruise ship guitarist before moving to Los Angeles, where I would spend the next decade performing, recording, touring, teaching, and writing,
I came to Austin in early 2021, and it’s the first place that’s felt like home in a long time. I love living here. I love performing here. I love going to the jams and meeting other musicians. I love (!) the microbrew scene here. And the food, I mean come on!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Have there been obstacles? Being a professional musician is like navigating an obstacle course with your hands zip-tied to your feet. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at an empty bank account or a maxed-out credit card bill and not seen a way out. I’ve literally had music stolen from me! I’ve heard my music on TV only to find out later that somebody submitted it without my name attached. Imagine turning on MTV (hard to imagine, I know, but try), hearing your music, and not having enough money to pay your phone bill. It’s difficult to create and stick to a budget when your monthly income fluctuates wildly. There have been months when I felt rich.
Covid was obviously a huge blow to everyone in my line of work. I played the Blue Note in New York with Sheléa on March 2, 2020 (literally a bucket list venue for many musicians) and arrived home in Los Angeles the next day to find that it would be my last gig in 2020.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I can be seen around Austin performing with a wide variety of artists. Mostly on guitar, but you can also find me on bass and drums. I am a composer as well. I am currently challenging myself to write a song every day. Every day I will develop a musical idea up to 1 minute (because that’s how long Instagram reels are). At some point, I’ll pick my favorites, develop them into complete works and record them. If you want to follow my progress, follow my Instagram @hellajimbriggs. Meeting this challenge has been one of the more rewarding things I’ve taken on. It’s taught me that if you wait to be inspired, you’ll never finish anything. It takes work, y’all! Through this challenge, I’ve done some of my best (and worst) writing.
Instagram is also the best place to find out when, where, and with whom I am performing.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My parents deserve literally all the credit. My dad, Ron Briggs, bought me my first guitar and pushed me to take lessons. He played country music and had a beautiful baritone voice. My mom, Caren Briggs, has always been my biggest supporter, even when times were tough and it looked like maybe music wasn’t a great life choice. She’s traveled to at least 4 or 5 states just to see me perform.
I also want to give my stepdad, Eric Walker, a shoutout here. He has helped me on numerous projects, the most recent of which was a beautiful desk complete with a keyboard tray that can accommodate a 61-key keyboard and nine rack spaces. You wouldn’t think a desk could improve your overall quality of life, but this one sure did.
Since I’ve been in Austin, I’ve had the opportunity to perform with Kenny Hada, Brandi LM, Lane Smith, Ruthie Craft, Craig Kierce, Rubi Groove, CZ, Nicole Quinn, Atomism, Hot Fuss, and a cavalcade of amazing musicians at the weekly jams at WTF Icehouse, Friends Bar, etc., too numerous to name here.
Prior to being a Texan, I’ve toured (and continue to tour) with Shelêa. I’ve recorded, written, and performed with LIBERATI and recorded with Green Jellÿ. Shout out to all of them for trusting me with their music!
Contact Info:
- Email: jim@jimplaysguitar.com
- Website: www.jimplaysguitar.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hellajimbriggs
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hellajimbriggs
Image Credits
Live action shots with Kenny Hada at One-2-One bar by Briston Tunon
