Jim Byrnes & The Sojourners

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| Jim Byrnes |

Every now and then, if you’re lucky, you’ll hear a voice that changes the way you think about music. It’s that rare kind of voice that can take you out of yourself to a place where a song that you’ve heard a thousand times becomes brand new again. Jim Byrnes’ voice has that quality, and even though he’s been winning over audiences with his soulful vocals for more than fifty years now, he’s never sung like he does now.

We all know Jim Byrnes. Singer. Songwriter. Actor. Radio host. Voiceover guy. All round Vancouver personality. He's one of those colourful characters that makes our city a little more fun to live in. He cares about the arts, and he cares about the Rogue Folk Club. That's why he's bringing his great band back to the Rogue, along with the incomparable Sojourners.

Jim was born in St. Louis, Missouri – that’s blues country. He grew up on the city’s north side. One of the neighbourhood bars had Ike and Tina Turner as the house band. As a teenager going to music clubs, he and his buddy were often the only white people in the place. “We never had any problems. We were too naïve, and had too much respect for the music and culture – they knew it, they could tell.”

By age thirteen, Jim was singing and playing blues guitar. His first professional gig was in 1964. Over the years, he has had the great good fortune to appear with a virtual who’s who of the blues. From Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker to Taj Mahal and Robert Cray, Jim has been on the blues highway for almost 50 years.

Byrnes moved to Vancouver, BC in the mid-70s after years of drifting, working odd jobs and playing music. In 1981 he put together a band that became a staple of the local music scene. In 1986 the Jim Byrnes Band played 300 nights. The pattern was set, and he hasn't slowed down yet.

Jim Byrnes’ fame as an actor has grown immeasurably from his too-numerous-to-mention TV and movie roles, highlights including television’s Wiseguy and Highlander series, and his national variety show The Jim Byrnes Show. Jim has proven that a serious car accident in 1972 has done anything but hinder him. Despite two swipes with death and some pretty hard knocks, Byrnes has still managed to rack up an enviable string of credits, both on and off-screen.

Jim is one of Canada’s best-loved musical icons. He has the ability to charm audiences beyond their wildest dreams. Listen and be taken away!

What's Been Said:

“There aren’t many singers like Jim Byrnes around anymore”
- No Depression
“Smoldering intensity...deeply soulful...”
- British Blues Connection
“...a voice that sounds like it saw creation and followed the devil down to hell...”
- Americana UK
"It’s a cross-breeding of soul and country, which recalls Otis Redding or Percy Sledge...”
- Vancouver Province
“A modern twist on the blues tradition...backed by a killer band, dominated by soulful vocals...”
- Naird Newsletter

| The Sojourners |

When Jim Byrnes called gospel singer Marcus Mosely on the phone way back when to ask if he could round up a few friends to record some backup vocals for a new album, no one could have guessed what would happen next. From the moment Mosely and his pals stepped up to the microphone and began singing, they realized that they had something very special going on.

This is not music that strives to be polite. In The Sojourners’ universe, echoes of doo wop, R&B, country and blues weave together to create a unique sound that has all but vanished from today’s world. This is gospel music that can take a punch and remain standing. Singing praise music with their own special ‘stank’, the Vancouver based Sojourners sound just as at home in a road house bar as they do in a revival tent. Singers Marcus Mosely, Will Sanders and Khari McClelland prove that there’s still no kind of music that’s more stirring, uplifting or inspiring than gospel music when it’s done right.

The Sojourners ... is just plain good listening. But more importantly it shouts for social justice by reinforcing those inseparable links between the early spirituals, gospel, and activist folk music which all arise from hope, faith and courage in the face of adversity. Listen and you shall be released. - Marc Lindy, Gospel Train, Coop Radio CFRO 100.5 FM.

 The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. For more information simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com