Who is Jim LeBlanc?
Jim is a Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/sometimes harmonica player who has entertained the good folks of Columbia, South Carolina and beyond for over 25 years. Jim cut his teeth, playing college bars from 1984 – 1992 in 5 Points at places such as the Elbow Room, Pug’s in Five Points, and Sharky’s with his interpretation of cover songs spanned from the 60’s to the 80’s. Most nights he would have the crowd singing along to familiar ditties.
In the late 80’s and early ninety’s Jim also traveled to places like Augusta, Beaufort, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Spartanburg, and Charlotte singing songs that were familiar to all those who came to one of his performances.
Jim released his first original album “Takin’ Time to Play” in 1987. Two of the songs “If I Had to Do it All Over Again” and “Adirondack Mountains” received some airplay in the mountains of Northern New York State.
Jim’s second release came in 1989 with his “Lights of the City” album (out of print). This was shortly followed by a novelty cut called “Mr. Exxon” or “The Ballad of the Valdese.” In ’93 he released another single in limited quantities called “Making a Mountain Out of a Tannyhill.” It was a tongue in cheek song about a USC quarterback and his escapades during the ’93 football season.
In 1997, Jim released another CD called “Give Me a Reason” which featured a simple arrangement of original songs performed by Jim using only an acoustic guitar and harmonica to back up his vocals. This CD featured locally popular songs such as “Billy’s Sister Sue,” “The Country Girl and the Folk Singer,” “The Morning Rain,” and “Money Man.”
Jim’s long awaited next CD, Life's Highway has just arrived! The CD is available for sale at Jim's gigs.
Jim still makes his living performing at restaurants and clubs throughout the Columbia vicinity. On any given night you can hear plenty of old favorites along with some more obscure cover tunes and a handful of original songs.
In now his 25th year in performing for audiences, Jim enters each performance with the same enthusiasm and love for the music as he has since his very first gig. As Jim puts it, “Music is what I am. I’ve tried to do other things, but the music always seems to call me back.”
Please join Jim's Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/jimleblancmusic