2010-2011 Season
Jim Witter - The Piano Man
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John
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Jim Witter has been entertaining for more than 20
years. Whether it be country music, contemporary Christian, or the music
of Billy Joel and Elton John, Jim’s versatility as an artist has allowed
him the opportunity to reach out and share his music and his infectious
personality with audiences of all ages across Canada and the United
States. His unique approach and comfortable rapport makes each member of
his audience feel as if they are a part of a private concert in the
comfort of their own living room. This, along with his rich, powerful
voice and ease of manner at the piano, make him a favorite with theatre
goers everywhere.
It all started at a very early age, as Jim began performing in the
comfort of his own living room. His mother would play piano, and Jim
would belt out the hits, everything from the Beatles to Broadway
musicals. Not bad for a four-year-old! All through his school years, Jim
knew that he was destined to have a career in the music business. “I
never really thought of doing anything else,” he says, “and neither did
my parents, because they always encouraged me to follow my dream.”
And follow it he did. Jim paid his dues, playing in the clubs and bars
around Southern Ontario for years. He would write songs and record demos
during the day, and play in the clubs at night to pay the bills. Jim met
his wife Rebecca in 1985. Together, they worked tirelessly to promote
Jim’s talent and music in hopes that one day their efforts would be
recognized.
Finally in 1990, one of Jim’s demos came to the attention of a Sony
Music Canada executive, which really got Jim’s recording career rolling.
A record deal with a smaller independent label in Canada soon gave way
to a multi-record deal with Curb Records of Nashville, home of Tim
McGraw, Leanne Rimes and Wynonna Judd. From his first self-titled
record, to All My Life and Forgiveness, Jim has had 10 top ten radio
hits in Canada, 7 hit videos on CMT, and impressive chart action in the
U.S. on Billboard and R&R.
Jim’s music and songwriting have been recognized on both sides of the
border, earning him multiple awards and nominations from the Canadian
Country Music Association, the Juno Awards, and most recently the Dove
Awards in Nashville, where Jim’s album, Forgiveness, was nominated for
Inspirational Album of the Year. “Songwriting has always been a real
love of mine,” says Jim. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to
work with so many incredible song-writers over the past years, like
Steve Wariner for instance. Not only have the collaborations produced
songs of which I am very proud, but I have gained an invaluable
education and created lifelong friendships along the way.”
A few years ago, Jim came up with the concept for the show The Piano
Men, a musical journey through the 70’s featuring the songs of Billy
Joel and Elton John. "I was always a big fan of acoustic music --
especially the folk of the ‘70s -- James Taylor, Harry Chapin," he
reveals, "but my real mentors were Billy Joel and Elton John." This
multi-media rock musical has turned out to be a hit, receiving rave
reviews from music critics all across North America. There are even
plans to take the show overseas to London and Japan in the near future.
Jim still lives in Southern Ontario with his wife, Rebecca, and their
four children, James, Roslyn, Ryan and Luke. A devoted family man, Jim
is also very active in his community, supporting numerous charities and
organizations, especially those which benefit children and their
families. “All I’ve ever wanted from this business is to be able to
support my family and to make people feel a little better when they hear
my music. To help them forget about their troubles for a while and enjoy
the moment,” he concludes. “If I can continue doing this 5, 10, 15 years
down the road, I’ll be perfectly happy.”