Jimmy LaFave facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy LaFave
LaFave performing at the 2012 Texas Book Festival.
Background information
Born	(1955-07-12)July 12, 1955 Wills Point, Texas, U.S.
Died	May 21, 2017(2017-05-21) (aged 61) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Folk, alt country, country rock
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1979–2017
Labels	Music Road Records

Jimmy LaFave (born July 12, 1955 – died May 21, 2017) was an American singer and songwriter. He was known for his folk and country rock music. Jimmy loved the music of Woody Guthrie, a famous folk singer. He even joined the board of the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival and performed there often.

Jimmy won the Songwriter of the Year award at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 1996. He also appeared on the TV show Austin City Limits. He made 15 albums! One of his albums, Cimarron Manifesto, even reached number one on the Americana music charts in 2007. In 2017, Jimmy was honored by being added to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Jimmy LaFave was born in Wills Point, Texas. He started playing the drums when he was young. Later, his family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma. There, Jimmy played in the school band.

When he was 15, Jimmy switched to playing the guitar. He began writing his own songs. He also started singing in a band called The Night Tribe.

Music Career Journey

After high school, Jimmy kept playing music at night. During the day, he worked as a manager at a music club. He recorded his first albums, Down Under and Broken Line, in the early 1980s. In 1988, he released an album called "Highway Angels... Full Moon Rain".

The Red Dirt Music Scene

While living in Stillwater, Jimmy LaFave and other songwriters created a new sound. This music style became known as "red dirt music." They often played at a local place called "the farm."

Jimmy met Bob Childers, another important musician. Bob Childers helped Jimmy produce his first record. Red dirt music mixes blues, jazz, and country sounds. Jimmy's songs were inspired by artists like J. J. Cale and Bob Dylan.

After Bob Childers passed away, a festival started in his honor. It's called Bob Childers' Gypsy Café. This festival helps raise money for musicians. In 2017, Jimmy received the first "Restless Spirit Award" at this festival.

Moving to Austin and New Albums

Jimmy LaFave moved to Austin, Texas, in 1992. He signed with Bohemia Beat Records. His first album with them was Austin Skyline. It included songs by Bob Dylan.

He released more albums like Highway Trance and Buffalo Return to the Plains. In 1999, he released a double CD called Trail. This album looked back at 15 years of his live shows and studio recordings.

In 1996, Jimmy won the Songwriter of the Year Award at the Kerrville Folk Festival. He also won the same award at the Austin Music Awards. That same year, he appeared on the TV show Austin City Limits. He also performed at a tribute to Woody Guthrie at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Honoring Woody Guthrie

Jimmy LaFave started going to the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in 1998. This festival is held in Woody Guthrie's hometown. In 2007, Jimmy became part of the group that organizes the festival.

Jimmy called Woody Guthrie his musical hero. He even wrote a song called "Woody Guthrie" on his Texoma album. People described his music as "honest, thoughtful and sincere." His "red dirt music" sound mixes rock, folk, and country.

Tribute Shows and More Albums

In 2003, Jimmy created a special show called Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway. This show honored Woody Guthrie. Jimmy and other singers performed Guthrie's songs. A narrator read Guthrie's writings between songs.

Many talented artists joined the tour, including Ellis Paul and Eliza Gilkyson. Woody Guthrie's granddaughter, Sarah Lee Guthrie, also performed. The show started at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Jimmy later joined Red House Records. His 2005 album, Blue Nightfall, was called his "best work yet." His 2007 album, Cimarron Manifesto, reached number one on the Americana music chart.

In 2012, Jimmy released his 14th album, Depending on the Distance. It included three songs by Bob Dylan. In 2015, he released The Night Tribe. This album featured 11 new songs written by Jimmy.

Music Road Records

In 2007, Jimmy LaFave started his own record company. He teamed up with Fred Remmert and Kelcy Warren to create Music Road Records. The company has two recording studios in Texas.

In 2010, Music Road Records released Favorites 1992–2001. This album was a collection of Jimmy's songs from his earlier years.

In 2014, Music Road Records released a special album. It was called Looking into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne. Jimmy produced this two-disc album. It featured famous artists like Bruce Springsteen, Lyle Lovett, and Bonnie Raitt.

Illness and Passing

In April 2017, Jimmy LaFave shared sad news. He announced that he was battling a rare form of cancer. He had been diagnosed a year earlier. Even while sick, Jimmy continued to perform and record new songs. He did not cancel any shows.

A concert was planned to honor Jimmy in Austin, Texas. It took place on May 18, 2017. Jimmy helped choose the musicians who would perform. He also chose charities that would receive donations in his name.

Jimmy LaFave passed away from cancer at his home in Austin, Texas. He was 61 years old. His death came just three days after the tribute show. Many artists performed songs that Jimmy wrote or loved. News of his passing was shared in newspapers around the world.

Awards and Honors

Album List

Images for kids

• 

  Jimmy LaFave and friends at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma, July 2005