ulfTone » artists » Jim Weider

Jim Weider
BIG FOOT

Jim Weider is a master of classic telecaster and traditional blues slide guitar techniques. He is one of a select group of musicians to have an endorsement from Fender, and has built an international reputation among fellow musicians world wide.
Jim has performed/recorded with such well known artists as:

Bob Dylan
Graham Parker
Los Lobos
Robbie Dupree Doctor John
Taj Majhal
Mavis Staples
Paul Butterfield
Scotty Moore & Keith Richards
Hot Tuna
Bob Weir/Rat Dog
Kim Wilson

Jim Weider was born and raised in the musical community of Woodstock, New York during it’s peak as a mecca for music greats, Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, The Band and Janis Joplin. It was here that he began recording and backing up song writers, creating a demand for his unique style.
In 1973 Jim moved to Nashville, TN., taking a major step in his musical development. He tested and broadened his musical talents, established himself, and began touring and recording as a professional musician.
While based in Nashville, he toured with Johnny Paycheck and James Talley, and when in town, he did session work and recorded his own material. The diverse sound of Jim’s Nashville experience is still reflected in much of his work.

In early 1980’s Jim returned to Woodstock, NY and began a national tour with Robbie Dupree ("Steal Away”). In 1983 he met actor/musician Levon Helm who invited Jim to tour with him, as a member of Levon Helm and the All-stars. This experience catapulted Jim to his present position as lead guitarist for "The Band”, replacing former band member Robbie Robertson. Jim has been touring with The Band internationally since 1985.

He is multi-talented and has worked on and appeared in commercials, e.g.; Pacific Bell Television commercial with Levon Helm and The All-Stars and played on the musical soundtrack, and appeared in the motion picture "Staying Together”.

In 1990 Jim performed with The Band with special guest Ronnie Hawkins at "The Wall” concert by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, which took place at the historical Berlin Wall. In addition to this, he has appeared and recorded with The Band in several cable TV specials including "This Country’s Rocking” and the "Bob Dylan Tribute” at Madison Square Garden, which was aired world wide and available on video and CD.

In January of 1993, Jim played and recorded with The Band, at the "Unofficial Blue Jean Bash” for President Clinton’s Inaugural Ball with special guests Bob Dylan, Steven Stills and Dr. John, soon to be released on CD and video.


Jim co-wrote songs and recorded lead guitar for The Band’s album "Jericho” released on Pyramid Records. Recorded for Robbie Dupree, Happy and Artie Traum’s newest releases.

Jim has produced five of Homespun’s best selling, worldwide instructional video tapes "Get That Classic Fender Sound” and "Rockabilly Guitar” parts one and two, "Electric Country Blues” parts one and two.


Recorded instrumental version of "Many Rivers To Cross” for "Woodstock Holidays” record and "Heart of Woodstock” CD in Japan. (Pioneer records in Japan), selected as the promo single.


Recorded an album with Champion Jack Dupree, produced by Garth Hudson.

Filmed and recorded The Band "Live in New Orleans” with the Allman Brothers. Released on Pioneer laser disc, Japan.
Appeared on Woodstock 1994 Festival on pay per view. (Filmed and recorded with The Band.) Guests on stage included:
Roger McGuinn, Bob Weir, Bruce Hornsby, Hot Tuna. 1995
Appearing in the documentary "The Authorized Video Biography The Band” (performance and interview) for cable TV and video released, in 1995 by ABC Video.


Co-wrote The Band’s top ten single in Canada, "Remedy” (Single release in U.S.A. and Japan) (for "Jericho” album) co-wrote "Out of the Wilderness” for Colin Linden’s album (performed) on Sony Records 1995.

Appeared on national network TV show "The Road” with The Band both performance and interview, has been repeated many times and is to be released on video.
Recorded the song "Young Blood” for the Doc Pomus Tribute album. Released in 1995. (With The Band)


Performed for the Danny Gatton Tribute at Tramp’s in N.Y. City with Les Paul, Albert Lee, James Burton, Allman Brothers and others, Soon to be released on cd and video. (Includes interview and solo instrumental performance)


Filmed and recorded with The Band, "Let it Rock” (Quality Records) CD and video with Ronnie Hawkins, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jeff Healey.


Filmed and recorded with The Band "Not Fade Away” with Buddy Holly’s Crickets, for Decca Records. (CD and video)
Recorded and wrote songs for The Band album, "High on the HOG” CD released 1996 Pyramid Records


In 1996 Jim performed and recorded (with The Band) theme song for TV show titled "Highway 61”.

Produced and played on worldwide release (PolyGram/Mercury), Tom Pacheco’s album "Woodstock Winter” featuring members of The Band and many special guests.
Played and recorded at the second Danny Gatton tribute at Tramps, N.Y.C. featuring The Sun Rythm Section, James Burton, Paul Burlison, etc.

Featured in the new documentary film of The Band out on video by the Hallway Entertainment Inc.

Recorded and filmed a video with The Band, "Live at Rockpalast in Germany” for all of Europe.

In 1997 Jim produced and played on Paul Burlison’s new album (Sweetfish Records) "Train Kept - A Rollin’ ” with special guests, The Band, Kim Wilson, Los Lobos, Mavis Staples, Rocky & Billy Burnette released in September.

Recorded and filmed "All The King’s Men”, Scotty Moore’s new album out on Sweetfish Records. (The track "Deuce and a Quarter” with Levon Hilm, Keith Richards, D.J. Fontana)


Co-wrote and co-produced (two songs) - "Da Bulls” on the Chicago Bulls "Go Bullistic” record; "Here Comes The Irish” record for Notre Dame - "Notre Dame Stomp”.

Recorded an album with a Russian singer - songwriter Boris Grebenshikov with members of The Band.

Released a solo album featuring guitar instrumentals with The Honky Tonk Gurus and special guests called "Big Foot". Released on "Dreamville Records" (Japan), Ulftone Music (Germany), EKG Recordings (USA).

Produced and played guitars and mandolin on Tom Pacheco's double album "The Lost American Song Writer" released by the European label, (The Road Goes on Forever)

Played guitar and also co-wrote two songs "White Cadillac", and "Spirit of the Dance" on "The Band's" latest album, "Jubilation" on "River North Records".

Also recorded several songs on a country album produced by Jerry Marrotta for a band called "Young Guns"

Recorded with The Band a Bob Dylan song "One too many Mornings" for the House Of Blues Label with special guest Derek Trucks

Recorded with members of "The Band" for Jimmy Vivino new solo project. This album also features Johnny Johnson on Piano.

Big Foot was released in Japan on Dreamsville Records Jan 25th 1999.

April 28th - Did Fender Guitar Clinic at the Guitar Center in Arlington Heights Chicago, IL (How to get that Classic Fender Tone). The event was attended by Fender CEO Bill Schultz.
The Best of "The Band" Volume II (of the 90's) - Released October 5th 1999 on Pyramid Records which includes 3 songs co-written by Jim Weider.


Big Foot
The Honky Tonk Gurus

Randy Ciarlante:
Drummer, Percussionist, Vocalist, Bassist.
has been playing professionally since the mid sixties. His musical taste cover a wide gambit from R&B to Latin, Jazz, to Blues. Coupled with gritty vocals and bass playing, Randy creates a strong rhythmic base for "The Honky Tonk Gurus." Besides being the drummer and Percussionist for The Band, Randy has toured with CBS recording artist Eric Anderson throughout the US and Europe. Other prominent artists he has performed with are: Levon Helm and the RCO All Stars, Bob Dylan, Jimmy McCracklin, Kim Wilson, Michele Shock, Taj Mahal and Lou Ann Barton.

Malcolm Gold: Electric Bassist and Vocals
His strong vocals and expert bass playing completes the foundation of "The Honky Tonk Gurus"
Toured and recorded with:

* GE Smith and Taylor Barton
* Dan Zanes band
* Joy Askew
* Morgan Heritage
* Julian & Murali Coryell
* The Toasters
* Skinnerbox
* Cody Moffett

Jeremy Baum: Keyboards and Vocals
Jeremys vast musical knowledge and abilities to solo in all styles keeps the "Honky Tonk Gurus" solid and musical at all times.

Toured and recorded with:

* Richie Havens
* Joe Luis Walker
* Duke Robillard
* Kenny Neal
* Ronnie Earl
* Debbie Davies
* Bill Perry
* Murali Coryell
* Little Melvin

========================================

to the top