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Jimmy Warren of Beecher holds an electric guitar, the first guitar he bought after taking a decade-long hiatus from performing. Jimmy Warren Band, consisting of four area members, has released its first blues/rock CD titled 'Live at Last.' Jimmy has a history of playing with famous musicians such as Buddy Miles and Lefty Dizz. He's opened for musicians and bands such as Koko Taylor and REO Speedwagon. He's also taken the stage at blues clubs like B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Memphis, Tenn. and Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago. photo by Tracy Ahrens
Live at last Local blues band releases CD, plans tour  Share
In his mid-30s, Jim Dill relinquished playing guitar and singing. A career musician, Jim said he was playing venues six nights a week. ''Music had consumed my life,'' Jim, 44, said. ''It all came down to my family or my music. I gave it all up to save myself and my family.'' But passion for playing continued to live in his soul. Today, the Beecher resident is wiser and more business-savvy. Because of this, Jim is back in the music world with a blues/rock CD titled ''Live at Last.''
His band, called Jimmy Warren Band (Warren is his middle name), ''is a powerhouse group that fuses blues and rock together along with Jimmy's over-top-guitar playing to create 'Warrenized' blues,'' states the band's Web site, www.jimmywarrenband.com. ''They bring a fresh attitude along with explosive music to the blues scene.'' Jim concisely describes music on the band's new CD as ''emotional.'' The CD, recorded by Jim's sound company, In the Mix Sound, consists of six songs, five of which he wrote. Recently, the band signed a contract with Vision Management International LLC in Nashville, an artist management firm. Vision Records & Entertainment is a label distributing their CD worldwide (www.visionrecordsandentertainment.com). Songs are now being aired on radio in eight countries and receiving excellent reviews. The CD was officially released Aug. 18. It is available primarily by Internet download. Physical copies of the CD can be ordered through the band's Web site. Vision Records & Entertainment has worked with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton and Ray Charles. ''The company liked my music background and the CD sound,'' Jim said. ''They felt that what we do is marketable and profitable.'' Joining Jim in the band are Mike Boyle of Homewood on bass and vocals, Doug Maxiener of Frankfort on drums and John DiGregorio of Hazel Crest on guitar and keyboard. Jim has a history of playing with famous musicians such as Buddy Miles, Sugar Blue, Junior Wells, Lefty Dizz and Little Mack Simmons. He's opened for musicians and bands such as Pat Travers, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Mack, Delbert McClinton, REO Speedwagon, Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets and Mike Morgan & The Crawl. Jim has also taken the stage at blues clubs like B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Memphis, Tenn., Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, Checkerboard Lounge in Chicago, Blues etc. in Chicago and more. Early this year, one of Jim's songs was in the movie THE VISION by independent filmmaker Robert Alaniz of Frankfort. Jim performed at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet for the movie's opening premier. Jim's fellow band member, Mike Boyle, has also played with famous musicians such as Buddy Guy, Phil Guy, Sam Lay, John Primer, Pistol Pete, Vino Louden and others. A self-taught musician, Jim said he picked up an acoustic guitar the first time at the age of 26. ''I practiced all the time, listened to all kinds of music and hung around people who played,'' he said. After playing professionally for over 10 years, Jim quit performing. At that time, he listened to a calling to become a pastor. For the first time in his life, Jim read the Bible, he said. ''It is amazing how God works in our lives,'' Jim said. He served as pastor at four churches, including establishing Christian Life Church in Walden, Colo. Every church he was part of, Jim continued to share his talents as a musician, playing in worship bands. The last church he attended, Peace Community Church in Frankfort, he played in a worship band with current band members, Doug Maxiener and John DiGregorio. At Peace Community, Jim was their worship pastor. Jim, Doug and John enjoyed their chemistry so much that they jammed outside of the sanctuary. Band members talked about taking their music further, Jim said. Jim soon ran an advertisement looking for a bass player to join them. That's how they found Mike Boyle. ''I knew if my position ended at the church, I was going to pursue a music career again,'' Jim said. His position was eliminated earlier this year. ''We were not sure which original band members would be in this for the long haul, but we knew I would be. So, we kept the band name as Jimmy Warren.'' Jim writes the music and handles all of the band's media relations and bookings. He attributes some of his current drive to be a professional musician to his wife, Lynn. After years of not playing music, Lynn bought him an acoustic guitar from a pawnshop. Once it was in his hands, Jim knew he was destined to play again. ''Years ago when I played, it was all about me, how much fun I could have and so forth,'' Jim said. ''Now I'm using my talents to provide for my family and share the gifts I've been given with other people. ''This is a God thing,'' Jim said with a smile. ''Old things die and new things are born. ''I play better today, I have a better knowledge of the music business and I'm more level-headed.'' Jim and Lynn have four children: Jimmy, 15; Andrea, 14; Amber, 28 and Dustin, 24. They are also raising their granddaughter, Kayla, 5. Jim said his son, Jimmy, is also a musician. Like his father, Jimmy picked up a guitar and the ability to play just came to him. He listens to his father play and has played with the band for fun. Today Jim attends Christ Community Church in Peotone and plays in the worship band. Some of Jimmy Warren Band's performances this summer included Six Flags in Gurnee, The Windy City Blues Society's Chicago Blues Challenge in Chicago, Hazel Nut Festival in Hazel Crest and Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora. Jimmy Warren Band is already preparing to record a new CD, Jim said. Their goals right now include a possible tour in England and Scotland in September or early October, and touring regularly next year. ''We hope to do a West and East Coast tour,'' Jim said. For band booking and information, contact Jim at 815-370-7007 or by e-mail at info@jimmywarrenband.com. You can purchase the CD through www.jimmywarrenband.com or download the CD for a price at sites such as www.apple.com/itunes, www.emusic.com, www.Amazon.com/Music, www.mp3.com and www.rhapsody.com You can also read more about the Jimmy Warren Band at http://myspace.com/jimmywarrenband and www.sonicbids.com/jimmywarrenband Tracy Ahrens is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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