"Jim Gill writes with more depth than your average poet and
has a quiet intensity much like Greg Brown and John Gorka."
–Jeff Niesel, Cleveland Free Times Music Review

Jim Gill has shared stages with international folk giant, John Gorka at The Village Folk Festival, Cleveland legends Michael Stanley and Alex Bevan at the Beachland Ballroom, as well as Mary Gauthier, Peter Mulvey and Kate Voegele. This Cleveland west-side native has performed twice at Rootstock in one of Cleveland's premiere venues, Cain Park including a headline show in '08! He finished first runner-up in the 2006 Pittsburgh Singer/Songwriter Competition presented by Three Rivers Productions. "Absolute killer voice!" said event producer Nancy Lackner of Jim's lush, baritone vocals. Jim has toured thru Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Rochester, Boston, and Vermont. Jim was the headliner at The Ritz Theatre in Tiffin, Ohio for one of their "First Friday" events in 2005. They were so taken with his performance that they invited him back to headline one event every year since! He also opened for Tommy James and The Shondell's at The Ritz in '08. Perhaps most notably, Jim Gill was a finalist in the New Song Competition of the 2006 Kerrville Folk Festival. As a result, Walk In My Shoes, has enjoyed considerable airplay on Christin Lavin's XM 16 Satellite Radio program, The Village.

"Jim Gill took the stage and lovingly led our audience through the
highs and lows of life. His guitar work, sensitive and clever lyrics,
and warm stage presence embraced the crowd. We truly felt like we
were part of an experience...a relaxed, colorful, beautiful journey,
rather than mere patrons at a concert."
–Michael Strong, Executive Director, The Ritz Theatre

In the fall of 2009 Jim was invited to perform a set at the Wheeling Jamboree in West Virginia. His concert was broadcast over 11 different radio stations including overseas. And, they're having him back in 2010! 2007 saw the release of his fourth album, Jim Gill Live Volume One, recorded over three Ohio nights in 2006. The tracks were culled from concerts at The Ritz Theatre in Tiffin, the John Patrick Theater at Baldwin Wallace College and an intimate night in October at Coffee Amici in Findlay. He has followed that up in '08 with Jim Gill Live Volume Two recorded at the Beachland Ballroom, the Folkatorium and the Columbus Performing Arts Center. Area audiences are rapidly finding this compelling musical storyteller a must see!

"Jim Gill brings a bright new voice to the Ohio music scene.

This gifted singer-songwriter grabs your ear and doesn't let go,
whether he's delivering hard-hitting tunes about the world around us or
heartfelt personal ballads. He's a captivating performer, too
--so don't miss a chance to catch Jim Gill in concert!"
–John Soeder, Cleveland Plain Dealer Music Critic

His 2007 appearances included concerts with Peter Mulvey at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland as well as opening for Mary Gauthier as part of the Six String Concerts. This notable folk music series is staged in the Columbus Performing Arts Center and plays host to the top folk artists in the country.

"People really enjoyed your songs

and your beautiful, warm voice. Great show!"

–Kim Rice Wilson, President, Six String Concerts

His songs evoke the same emotinal scenery as Ellis Paul, Richard Shindell, Jeffrey Foucault, Greg Brown and John Gorka. "Sparse, introspective and compelling", writes the Medina Gazette. The songs are conveyed in a voice that producer Jim Ballard of Skylyne Studios describes as, "Jim Croce with warmth and range!" Audience members routinely comment on his memorable voice and the depth, and breadth, of his lyrical subject matter. He covers everything from coal mining to motorcycles, coffee to politics, from the raucous to the sublime.

His live shows are punctuated with outlandish stories culled from his life as the only son in an Irish Catholic family of 10. Yes, 10!! His banter with audience members is a trademark delight. Venue owner Kelly Steele observed, "His outrageous anecdotes and lightning-fast wit engender in the audience a sense of being in their own living room at a great house party!"

In his ever evolving stage show Jim has added a new wrinkle, a "looping" device, to his concert performances which allows him to make layered vocal tracks where he actually harmonizes with his own voice. These on-the-fly aural effects are truly arresting. You've got to hear it to believe it!

"Jim Gill is a singer/songwriter/guitar player/storyteller extraordinaire! His stories about growing up with seven sisters in an Irish Catholic family are hilarious. His songs, based on life experiences, are sensitive, funny, and musically engaging. Jim plays six and twelve-string guitars as well as the harmonica. Occasionally he uses a looping device so that he can sing both lead and harmony parts. His songs are pure originals, and all of them are outstanding. Jim has a rare talent for engaging the audience, and a house concert is the ideal venue for this. The audience wants him back and we are going to do just that!"

–Tom Fleming, Huntington Wood House Concerts, 2006

Jim was invited to contribute a track to the 2007 John Bassette tribute compilation CD which also features covers by Tom Paxton, Michael Stanley, Alex Bevan, Marti Jones & Don Dixon among others. The disc is now available and will help launch Jim's voice to a wider national audience. A benefit concert featuring most of the CD's contributors was held at Cleveland's Beachland Ballroom in April of 2007 and was a roaring success!

In 2006 Jim was honored with an invitation to write and perform three new songs for the Baldwin Wallace College Theater production of The Laramie Project. The subsequent 3 song EP, Music for The Laramie Project, is now available thru this website as are all of Jim's releases: So Fine, Sky and the live albums, Jim Gill Live, Volume One and Jim Gill Live, Volume Two.

Those of you that have made it this far (more power to ya, baby!) might be interested in viewing Jim's artwork, illustration and writing at Gillustration.com. Be ready to chuckle.

Back to Top