about JR

 

  husband, family man, rancher, geetar picker, singer, songwriter, cowboy poet, cowboy history buff, cow-tolerater and horse-nut
 

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- Top 5 Nominee for 2005 Rising Star of the Year
        - Academy of Western Artists, Fort Worth, TX
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts Showcase Artist
 - Finalist, CBC TV / Dumaurier Search for Stars
 
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A true Westerner - heart, soul and daily life . . .
Jim is Southern Alberta Rancher whose music and entertainment background spans three decades.  Western Horseman magazine says "Jim has a phenomenal guitar talent and knack for writing lyrics that revolve around working cowboys and ranch life."
 
An opening act for singers such as Kenny Rogers, B.J. Thomas, Jim has been a consistent favourite at national and international showcases, songwriting contests, and high profile corporate events.  His 2003 CD, The Bar H, has propelled Jim into the Western Music community in the USA.  In 2005, he was chosen by The Academy of Western Artists as the only solo male performer in the Top 5 Nominees for Rising Star of the Year.
 
Idaho's award-winning radio host Tommy Tucker sums it up;   “When I think of a working rancher in the Western entertainment genre, Jim is at the top of my list.  This Alberta Cowboy can do it all, he can write, pick, sing and entertain all in one robust little package!”

Jim sang solo in his first music festival at age six and started guitar lessons at age nine.

 
Wherever and whenever possible, Jim uses his horse to perform duties around the ranch and with his cattle, even those things that can be done more efficiently with other vehicles or methods that save time and energy.  Jim believes that the world looks much better from the back of a horse.

Jim and his wife Marion live on a 260 acre ranch near Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, where they raise registered Herefords and Red Angus cross stock cattle.  Five wonderful young adults complete their family.

 
notable performances include . . .

         Academy of Western Artists Showcase/Convention, Fort Worth, TX
       Alaska State Fair, Palmer, AK
       Alberta Foundation for the Arts Showcase Artist, 2004   
       Basin Arts Council, Basin, WY
       Bar U Historic Ranch, Longview, AB
       Bing Crosby Theatre, Spokane, WA
       Bowman State Fair, Bowman, ND
       Canadian Cowboy Christmas, Brandon, MB
       Canadian Deputy Minister's Conf., Fort Edmonton, AB
       Carlson's on Macleod, High River, AB
       CBC/Dumaurier Search for Stars Finalist, Cdn. national TV
       Columbia Basin Allied Arts Council Theatre, Moses Lake, WA
       Dollar Watch Cowboy Jamboree Concert, Winthrop, WA
       Genesse Idaho Annual Spagetti Western Concert
       Goshen County Fair, Torrington, WY
       Globus Tours, "Welcome to Alberta" Dinner Concerts, Calgary, AB
       Kamloops Cowboy Festival, Kamloops, B.C.
       Knutzen Family Theatre, Federal Way, WA
       Lewis & Clark Western Arts Festival, Lewiston, Idaho
       Lopez Island Performing Arts Centre, Lopez Island, WA
       Maple Creek Cowboy Gathering, Maple Creek, SK
       Montana Annual Horse Drive, Three Forks, MT
       Montana Stock Growers Association Convention
       Mount Angel Centre for Performing Arts, Mt. Angel, WA
       NILE: Northern International Livestock Expo, Billings, MT
       Opening Show for Kenny Rogers
       Opening Show for B.J. Thomas (2 Canadian tours)
       Opening Show for Tommy James & the Shondells
       Outback Arts Council, Burlington, CO
       Pemberton Cowboy Days and Festival, Pemberton, B.C.
       Pincher Creek Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Pincher Creek, AB
       Pine Bluffs Arts Council, Pine Bluffs, WY
       Sagebrush Cowboy Festival, Sheridan, Wyoming
       School Performances on History & Code of West, AB, ID, OR
       Stony Plain Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Stony Plain, AB
       Sweet Pea Festival, Bozeman, MT
       Trails End Cowboy Gathering, Crossfield, AB
       Wells Gray Ranch Roundup, Clearwater, B.C.
       Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering, Stavely, AB
       Wisconsin Cattleman's Association Annual Convention
       World Hereford Congress, Banff, AB
       100 Mile House Annual Cowboy Concert, BC
 
  

What others say  .  .  .
"Jim's deep understanding of the cowboy spirit, his gift for lyrics and melody, his terrific finger picking make 1880's Cowboys really special.  My hat's off to Jim for a remarkable project."
         Hugh McLennan, Host, Spirit of the West
         Syndicated Canada/U.S. Radio Show

"Reader has a phenomenal guitar talent and knack for writing lyrics that revolve around working cowboys and ranch life."
        Western Horseman Magazine

"This boy's music has heart, where in blue blazes has he been hidin'?"
        Ben Crane, Western Fine-Art Cartoonist
        Singer/Songwriter & Producer

“He gives his audience a soulful gift straight from the heart!  Jim Reader is ridin' high in the saddle with the greatest western cowboy performers today.”
       Emele Clothier, Horse Crazy Band, WA

"When you think of a working rancher who can sing and perform, Jim Reader jumps to the top of my list!  This Alberta cowboy can do it all.  From his album The Bar H, you can believe what he has written.  He really comes to life when he performs on stage with a talent and personality that draws his audience's attention immediately.  This artist's talent and ability knows no limits!"
       Tommy Tucker, KRLC AM, Lewiston, ID
       Academy of Western Artists '04 DJ of Year

“What a fine musician Jim is, but I really enjoy him live -- he’s got such a wonderful personality and his
songs swing right into your heart with true history of the North American Cowboy. This is great music!”
        Lauralee Northcott, The Dollar Watch
       Cowboy Show KVLR, WA

"I hear a ton of cowboy music every day but every once in a while some cowboy emerges from Canada and starts this cycle all over.  Well let me tell you folks, Jim's music is the real thing, I recommend The Bar H to be included in every western music library."
         Joe Baker, KNMB/KWMW
         Ruidoso, NM
"Jim Reader has a real gift for lyrics and music with a pleasing distinctive voice.   In addition to his writing and singing talents, Jim is one of the better finger pickin' guitar players around.   You'll love The Bar H, it's a first class release.... after listening to it I was so inspired, I took a ride in the hills."
          Hugh McLennan, Host, Spirit of the West
         Syndicated Canada/U.S. Radio Show
"Jim Reader is one of those guys with a ton of talent and potential coming out the ears!"
        Marc Stevenson, Country Wave Magazine

"Jim received a standing ovation from an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 . . . entertaining for 3 hours with his own lively assortment . . sometimes dreamy and romantic . . sometimes humorous, and sometimes exuberantly upbeat."
        Cochin Newspaper, Cochin, SK
"Jim's voice has a peaceful resonance that expounds an 'in-the-country' feeling.  There is a Western Soul in Jim's heart and his music reflects it.  Sometimes he gets lost in that place where his music takes him, the fun is that he takes us with him."
        Donna Meyers, Past Owner,
        Memories Inn, Longview, AB