Jim Stafford Biography
America's Favorite Jim Stafford Songs
Jim Stafford wrote and recorded his first chart making song, The Swamp Witch, produced by his boyhood friend Kent LaVoie a/k/a Lobo in 1974. He followed with a gold single, Spiders and Snakes, which stayed on the American pop charts for 26 weeks. The hits just kept coming and included My Girl Bill, Wildwood Weed, and the wonderfully satirical Cow Patti, written for the Clint Eastwood movie, Any Which Way You Can, in which Jim appeared.
National Television Star
Jim launched his television career with The Jim Stafford Show on ABC in 1975. His numerous television appearances included music specials, variety shows, and talk shows. He co-hosted the popular prime-time show Those Amazing Animals with Burgess Meredith and Pricilla Presley. Jim also hosted 56 episodes of Nashville on the Road and made 26 appearances on the Tonight Show. In 1987 & 1988, Jim was a regular performer and head write/producer for the Emmy-nominated Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He has also worked with Joan Rivers, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Bruce Springsteen, Glenn Campbell, Gallagher and many others.
Songwriter
Jim wrote many of the songs for which he is famous and has brought his inimitable style to several movie soundtracks. He received a gold record for his work in the Disney movie The Fox and The Hound and writes for other popular artists such as his Can't Get The Hell Out of Texas recorded by George Jones and Jerry Reed. Recently Jim has written and recorded such songs as Layenda Pipeline, Don't Be Chicken When It's Time To Crow, Talk That Guitar and more. He has released his second classical guitar album Somewhere In Time and recently released another album Don't Tell Mama I'm A Guitar Picker.
Live Performer
Jim's first love has always been live performance. This love brought him to Branson, Missouri, where he owns a theater and entertains visitors year long. The singer, songwriter, comic genius, and entertainer extraordinaire is self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, harmonica and the human brain--he might bring any of them into play at any moment.
Jim produces and stars in his show in Branson where for over 20 years his show is always named a favorite by audiences and critics alike. Jim has been voted Best Entertainer, Best Personality and Best Comedy Show by 417 Magazine, the Springfield NewsLeader and the Branson Entertainment Awards. Mayflower Tours has named Jim's Show as one of their top ten suppliers in North America.
During his show Jim combines hysterical comedy with masterful performances on the classical guitar as well as with heart-warming stories of the human spirit. Critically acclaimed as the "Victor Borge of the Guitar", Jim creates hilarious antics from everyday life taking laughter to a new art form.
Laser lights, a real 3-D Virtual Thrill Ride (created and developed in-house), and more are just a few of the zany surprises that await you. Flying saucers hover, guitars drop, cows stampede, and Chihuahuas are saved, all in one experience at the Jim Stafford Show.
Jim's son, Sheaffer, has joined his father on stage since he was 10 days old. Shea plays drums, slide guitar, fiddle, glockenspiel, and piano. Daughter G.G. (Georgia Garland) joins her father on stage as well -- performing on the piano, glockenspiel, and harp. Jim creates beautiful segments during the show to display some amazing musical numbers by both teenagers.
Jim's Branson theatre is reminiscent of the great theaters of the 40's and 50's. From the award-winning landscaping to the lighting and sound, the Jim Stafford Theatre is one of the most technologically advanced in the country. The stage background is actually a 14' x 40' computer screen, enabling the show to be enhanced by incredible graphics and video.
Professional
Visitors to Branson can get another taste of Jim's talent at IMAX Theatre in the opening segment Neighbors, which Jim wrote and produced. Recently, Jim's play Neighborhood Watch premiered on the Springfield Little Theatre stage and ran for a season in Branson.
Jim and his wife Ann received the coveted Ambassadors Award from the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB and led the drive to extend Branson to a year round destination in a promotion called "Hot Winter Fun". Both Jim and Ann have served on the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber Board of Directors, The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers, and many volunteer committees.
Jim wrote the song used for the video Branson Has More Then A Hundred Shows, Hearts Full of Song, and several promotional songs for the Branson area including Down On Table Rock Lake, Branson Town, Just Give Me Branson, Even Santa Vacations In Branson, and others. Jim's TV commercials, radio ads, and print advertising have received numerous Silver and Gold Addys, as well as Tellys.
Born in Winterhaven, Florida, Jim was recently inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame. In high school, Jim and his friends, songwriter Bobby Braddock, Kent LaVoie and Gram Parsons (of the Byrds) played together in a band, each member of this little "garage band" going on to national success in the music business. Jim was introduced to comedy while playing with Jumpin' Bill Carlisle in Nashville as a guitarist.
Personal
Jim and Ann, and their two children, Shea and G.G., live just outside of Branson, on Table Rock Lake. Ann is a behind the scenes creative and business partner. The family enjoys tennis, music, movies, reading, and other leisure activities. Of his life on Table Rock Lake, Jim says "Every day in Branson is a wonderful day, if you don't think so, just try skipping one...It's exciting having the opportunity to do what I enjoy the most and be a part of a wonderful community like Branson."