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Author
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Topic: More bad news. R.I.P. Jim Unger
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Smiley Roberts
Member From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075
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posted 25 September 2006 10:55 AM
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One of the best fiddlers in Country Music,Jim Unger,passed away,this morning,from a heart attack. He was only 52 yrs. old. This came as a total shock to our music community. No further details on his services right now,but I'll post them as I find then out. Please keep his family in your thoughts.------------------
~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 25 September 2006 at 10:56 AM.] [This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 26 September 2006 at 10:11 PM.]
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Laurie Ayres
Member From: Starke, Florida, USA
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posted 25 September 2006 11:27 AM
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I can't believe that Jim has gone! I was just thinking about him the other day and that I sure would like to see and hear him play again. What a loss! We will keep his family in our prayers. Thanks Smiley for letting us all know. Laurie |
Daryl Stogner
Member From: Yuma, AZ (next to nowhere and north of been there)
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posted 25 September 2006 11:36 AM
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The Longest Bow I Ever Heard! 
JIM UNGER
Just got a call from Dennis Payne. What a shock to lose a good friend and one of the best fiddle players ever. Smiley I know how you must feel, cause I feel it too. Daryl
[This message was edited by Daryl Stogner on 25 September 2006 at 12:00 PM.] [This message was edited by Daryl Stogner on 26 September 2006 at 09:04 PM.] |
Joey Ace
Sysop From: Southern Ontario, Canada
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posted 25 September 2006 11:57 AM
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 !!! |
Daryl Stogner
Member From: Yuma, AZ (next to nowhere and north of been there)
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posted 25 September 2006 12:43 PM
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More Pics of Jim at work...
[This message was edited by Daryl Stogner on 25 September 2006 at 12:46 PM.] |
Mike Sigler
Member From: Ohio
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posted 25 September 2006 12:54 PM
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Jim Was a great man and Musician, I had the pleasure to work with him a few times, And he was a great guy!
We wll miss you Jim, our prayers go out to your family.
Mike Sigler |
Bob Martin
Member From: Madison Tn
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posted 25 September 2006 01:10 PM
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Man what a shock Jim was a great friend of mine. He will be missed so much!Bob |
Bill Ferguson
Member From: Norcross, GA USA
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posted 25 September 2006 01:31 PM
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Wow, what a shock. Jim was our staff fiddle player at the Choo Choo shows. Plus we played many steel shows together.A very talented fiddle player and a great guy to boot. I will miss you Jim
Bill Ferguson |
Mike Cass
Member From: Nashville,Tn. U.S.A.
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posted 25 September 2006 01:47 PM
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I recieved the very sad news about Jim this morning He was the Real Deal.
No matter what style of music that was thrown at him he would play it like it was second nature to him. Many fond memories of gigs,sessions,etc; all punctuated by his contagious sense of humor and sterling musicianship. For me,he made a number of potentially hideous musical situations more than bearable. He even kept me out of jail on a couple of occassions. My favorite times with him though were at Gabe's; watching the newbie/sit-in fiddlers' jaws sag when Jim would let it fly.... more than several times they appeared to be trying to set a record packing up their gear out of sheer terror and self-persevation. Jim could flat lay it on you. I'll miss you alot,old friend. My sympathy and prayers to Jim's family and many friends. |
Daryl Stogner
Member From: Yuma, AZ (next to nowhere and north of been there)
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posted 25 September 2006 02:17 PM
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I've added a song to the main page of Dennis' web site, with a slow medley song Jim had recorded for his "Unknown Fiddler" album.Here's the link if you want to hear it. CLICK HERE
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Stuart Basore
Member From: Madison, TN. USA
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posted 25 September 2006 02:48 PM
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What a shock! I really enjoyed our times together in the studio and p;aying live together. We'll all miss him!! |
Mike Sweeney
Member From: Nashville,TN,USA
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posted 25 September 2006 02:54 PM
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When Dennis Payne called me with the news this morning I felt like my right arm was cut off at the shoulder. Not only did I admire his musicianship but, I treasured his friendship even more.
Jim was the kind of friend you could count on for anything. All you had to do was call and he was there. We worked several benefits together over the years and he was always there ready to help any way he could. He always went out of his way to help a friend when they needed it.
As far as fiddle players go. Jim has been my favorite since I first got to hear him many, many years ago. Whenever I went to book a session for myself or someone else Jim was the first guy I called. Jim was the only guy I know of carrying on the Dale Potter style fiddle and was the envy of alot of fiddle players because he did it very, very well.
Yeah, I already miss Jim and there's always gonna be a void there but I've got several great memories of the experiences we shared together. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Melissa and to Jim's parents and sister.
Oftentimes we don't tell those closest to us how we feel about them. I think Jim knew that I loved him like a brother. Well, So long Jim. Till we meet again someday.Mike Sweeney |
BobbeSeymour
Member From: Hendersonville TN USA
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posted 25 September 2006 03:05 PM
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Many of you have some of Jim's great work on my first "Price-less" CD (album). I chose him to be the fiddler on this album of Ray Price hits because of his "Dale Potter" sound and style. We had a great time doing this CD and many other sessions and live gigs over the years.
Scotty called me one day several years ago and asked me who I could line him up with to play fiddle on his show in St. Louis. I said Jim Unger, "but look out, he's a different kind of stylest, incredible, but a little off the wall at times". This is what I loved about his playing, GREAT, and as unique as you could ever enjoy. I think ALL steel players loved working with him, he sure did love ALL steel players! A special kinda guy. Yes Smiley, this is "more bad news", but thank you for your consideration in letting us all know, 'yer a pretty great guy yourself!
Bobbe[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 25 September 2006 at 03:07 PM.]
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Jim Cohen
Member From: Philadelphia, PA
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posted 25 September 2006 03:34 PM
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What!? What a shock! He was a tremendously talented player and, from the little I knew him from playing a few shows together, a dear person. I'm so sorry to hear this news. My deep condolences to his family. I know his dad came out to the VA steel show a few months ago. |
Russ Hicks
Member From: Pegram, Tennessee, USA
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posted 25 September 2006 04:05 PM
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Very sad news....we've lost another great musician and friend...I just met his dad at Chuck Campbell's show in Virginia.....my condolences to his family... |
Cal Sharp
Member From: Gnashville
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posted 25 September 2006 04:13 PM
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Unger was one of the most innovative and original musicians I've ever worked with. He played stuff that was "wrong", yet made it fit and sound great and left you wondering where in the world did he come up with that. We played together on a live radio show at the WSM studio recently. Little did I know...C#
www.calsharp.com |
Bobby Caldwell
Member From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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posted 25 September 2006 04:14 PM
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I had the pleasure of working the Choo Choo shows with Jim. A great guy to be around and a great talent as well. WE will miss him. Rest in peace dear friend. Bobby |
Bob Watson
Member From: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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posted 25 September 2006 05:21 PM
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It saddens me to hear this. Jim was an incredible musician. I remember having a conversation with him once about Joe Venuti. I was in awe because Jim had met him. I mentioned some of the practical jokes that Joe Venuti had supposedly pulled and Jim told me they were probably all true. Tommy Hannum and I were watching him play at Gabes once and I remember that we would be grinning ear to ear everytime he played one of his C6 steel guitar jazz chord licks on his 5 string Fiddle, and he knew a million of 'em. May He Rest In Peace! |
ROBERT MYERS
Member From: HEDGESVILLE, W.VA. USA
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posted 25 September 2006 05:30 PM
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This is just so hard to believe. I've known Jim for around 34 years and I hadn't seen him in a long time till Chuck's jam in Va and we got to spend some time together. What a lost to us all and to his family. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that knew and loved him. |
Al Miller
Member From: Nashville, TN
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posted 25 September 2006 05:45 PM
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I cant Hardly Believe what im reading.. i first met jim through Mike sweeny who hired him to play on my Storms never last Cd.. i worked with and around him on broadway many times and always admired what a player he was .. his since of humor was next to none.. i will miss him as will many others.. RIP My Brother.. mike I know He and You were close and you and tersa are in my prayers too if you need anything please call..
Boo Miller |
Chuck Campbell
Member From: Manassas, VA, USA
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posted 25 September 2006 06:05 PM
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Like everyone else, I was shocked to get the news. I've known Jim since about 1969 when we played several jobs together in the Washington DC and the Northern Virginia area. That was before he went to Texas then to Nashville. Always loved his playin and most of all his sense of humor. He would keep you in stitches with his stories, especially his Grandpa Jones tales. He played at my Virginia show in May and his family was there to hear him play. I know it was a thrill for Jim. His family was so proud of him. What a fine musician and genuine person. At one of the Bristol Virginia shows Jim was playing and putting a lot of feeling into it when someone said something from the bandstand that I will never forget. She said, “ Jim doesn’t play the fiddle, the fiddle plays Jim.” I will miss him and my symphony goes out to his family his friends, and me too. |
Charlie St Denis
Member From: Ontario, Canada
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posted 25 September 2006 06:07 PM
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This is terrible news-My thoughts and
prayers go out to Jim's Family. What
a talented man.
Charlie |
Bob Hempker
Member From: Hollister, Mo.
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posted 25 September 2006 07:37 PM
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Man, what a shock!!I met Jim in the early '70's when he first went on the road with Crash Craddock. We did numerous tours together. Jim was always ready to play, jam, or whatever. We did a ton of partying out on the road back then. Years went by after he left Crash. He lived in Texas for a while, then re-emerged in Nashville. I guess I'm like everyone else, just numb and shocked from this. I ran into Jim just about every time I would go back to Nashville. I saw him last February in a club he was working in in Hendersonville. This is really sad news. Jim, I'll really miss you. My condolences to his family------------------
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Joe Casey
Member From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)
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posted 25 September 2006 08:02 PM
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I barely knew jim just the few times I went with Smiley to hear Dennis and them play. I always walked away afterwards with a wow Jim and Dennis, a great combo on those small bandstands, Talent wise I meant. Too young, this is a great loss to the Music community and to all his friends.Thanx Smiles for the phone call. I wish I was lucky enough to have known him better.------------------
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Jody Sanders
Member From: Magnolia,Texas
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posted 25 September 2006 10:00 PM
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I can't believe it. We have lost another one of the good guys. This is a sad day. RIP Jim. Jody. |
Rick Campbell
Member From: Knoxville, TN, USA
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posted 25 September 2006 10:03 PM
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So sorry to hear about Jim. What a great fiddler and good guy. RIP------------------
Emmons Lashley Legrande D-10 8/4,Nashville 400, Profex II, Bunches of fiddles, guitars, etc....
racmusic.tripod.com
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Jim Hartley
Member From: Little Mountain, South Carolina, USA
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posted 26 September 2006 02:39 AM
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This is just way too sad. What a good player and so much fun to be around. I'm thankful that I've had the chance to work with Jim a few times and get to know him over the last few years. My condolences to his family. |
Michael Douchette
Member From: Gallatin, TN
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posted 26 September 2006 04:13 AM
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I'm just in shock... what a tragic loss... such a great guy, player... and plumb crazy... I'm gonna miss him...------------------
Mikey D...
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Dave Grothusen
Member From: Scott City, Ks
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posted 26 September 2006 04:59 AM
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What a shock. I just met Jim two years ago at a gig that Smiley invited us to in Gallatin. Thanks to Mike Sweeney, Jim knew we were going to be there and he came to the table and introduced himself and made my wife and I feel like we knew him forever.
I want to relate a story he told me. His roots were in the DC area and I asked him if he knew Buddy Charlton. He said yes and that he owed a lot to Buddy. Seems that when he was younger and getting stated in the music business he got hired to play several nights with a group that Buddy was in. After the first gig, around 1AM Buddy came to him and said, "I don't know how to play fiddle, but I am going to teach you to play one". They stayed up till 5AM and Buddy told him how, where and when to play and Jim said it made a fiddle player out of him. Great Story.
We will miss his music. |
Jeff Agnew
Member From: Dallas, TX
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posted 26 September 2006 05:58 AM
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Wow, I'm truly saddened to hear this. Haven't worked with Jim since the 70s and 80s in Virginia but have never forgotten him. As Cal said upthread, there was at least one guaranteed moment every night he played where you would hear something that made your head snap around wondering "how in the world did he ever think of that?"Not to mention the road stories  He was a great one. |
Buck Reid
Member From: Nashville,TN
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posted 26 September 2006 07:08 AM
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This is shocking and sad...I too have many fond memories of gigs and sessions with Jim and he could do it all! He was innovative and creative and unless in a studio situation,never settled for playing it 'safe'. He had ears as big as Texas and was totally devoted to his craft. We'll miss you Jim. |
David Thornhill
Member From: Tennessee, USA
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posted 26 September 2006 08:03 AM
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We lost a good friend and great musician in Jim. We played many shows with him back in the 70's when he played with Craddock. Best to his friends and family.Dave Thornhill |
Randy Mason
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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posted 26 September 2006 09:59 AM
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Very sad! He was so aggressive on that fiddle. I was fortunate to have recorded with
him on Sweeney's album, and when the red light was on, he didn't tighten up...he let loose! So confident. He was great. |
Nick Reed
Member From: Springfield, TN
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posted 26 September 2006 02:41 PM
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Sorry to hear about Jim Unger's passing. He was a very talented Musician. I had talked with him many times and had been in the audience at several of his local Nashville gigs over the years. Nick[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 26 September 2006 at 02:41 PM.] |
Ron Elliott
Member From: Madison, Tennessee, USA
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posted 26 September 2006 02:56 PM
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So very sorry to hear of this...I, like many others in our business, have known Jim for many years even from up in Virginia...and played many shows & dances with him. Like the rest of us,...I'll miss him..great talent,and a good friend. R.I.P Jim
Ron |
Gary Lee Gimble
Member From: Gaithersburg, Maryland
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posted 26 September 2006 03:07 PM
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My sincere condolences to Jimmy Sr., Melissa and the rest of the Unger clan.
gary |
Earl Erb
Member From: Old Hickory Tenn
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posted 26 September 2006 03:39 PM
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So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I only worked with him twice in the last two years and he was a very interesting player. I enjoyed his style and he will be missed. |
Ronnie Miley
Member From: hendersonville
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posted 26 September 2006 03:44 PM
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Every time I talked to Jim we always talked about Danny Gatton;I remember Jim telling me about Danny bringing his guitar to the gig in a paperbag.He will truely be Missed R.I.P Jim. |
b0b
Sysop From: Cloverdale, California, USA
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posted 26 September 2006 04:04 PM
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quote:
From: "Brian Kennell" ever799@earthlink.net
To: quasar@b0b.com
Subject: Jimmy Unger
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2006 16:37:01 -0400
Please add this to the tribute to Jim Unger if you would be so kind. I was honored to record with he and Dennis Payne.
Thank you!
Brian Kennell
Gettysburg, PA
[This message was edited by b0b on 26 September 2006 at 04:06 PM.] [This message was edited by b0b on 26 September 2006 at 04:07 PM.] |
ROB PARKER
Member From: Paducah,Kentucky,USA
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posted 26 September 2006 04:58 PM
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This news is so terribly sad..My sincere condolences thoughts and prayers to Jim's family.
Jim has been a great friend for many years..always fun to be around him..and such a talent..
I was fortunate to have him do an album with me.." For A Minute There "..His break , with his 'counterpoints' ,on 'Funny How Time Slips Away' is worth the price of the album..He played some great lines and phrasing ..
I shall miss him and his music, his humor, and his friendship...
Rest well dear friend..
Peace and love to all the family..
RP...'come on in'... |
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