Artists:Jim Hanlon

Jim Hanlon is no stranger to musicians and music lovers of the Maritime region. Born and raised in Canso town he has been active in the regional music scene for many years.

Jim played in pick up bands as a teen and later toured the Maritime pub circuit with his brother John as the folk duo O'Hanlon. A founding member of the popular Lunenburg based group Starb'ard Side he participated in the early development of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival. Billed as the host band, Starb'ard Side were regular performers during the first ten years.

During the initial years with Starb'ard Side Jim was captivated with the original songs of the late Jim Pitman also a founding member of the group. He began to explore the writing process and penned "Annie's Promise" in late 1988. His wife, brother and friends encouraged him to enter the song in the CBC Atlantic Song Contest 1989/90. "Annie's Promise" won the contest. The song and another of his originals was produced and recorded in CBC Studio "H" in Halifax.

CBC Radio recorded Starb'ard Side's live performances on several occasions and the positive response from air play lead to a CBC funded self titled album. The recording was a hit with Maritime music lovers and remains so to this day. The Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festivals 20th anniversary program this coming August will include a reunion of Starb'ard Side's remaining members.

Following the success of "Annie's Promise" and the Starb'ard Side recording, Jim was offered a solo project with CBC. Initial work began once again at Studio "H" but was completed through independent production. The "Hometown Bay" project is comprised of original material inspired by his life and times in small town Nova Scotia. Response to the CD cemented Jim's reputation as one of the quality songwriters in the region.

Like many Maritime songwriters Jim held a regular job in order to maintain heart and home. Unfortunately the job would eventually lead him to the far off Middle East. He presently lives in the Kingdom of Bahrain where he travels the bridge to Saudi Arabia each day to work in the fishing industry there.

Since his arrival in the Middle East Jim has continued his music interests playing in various groups and regularly hosting folk nights. Each year he takes his annual vacation to attend the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. He has performed every year except the first when international flight delays prevented his attendance. He holds the distinction of being one of only two artists to perform in seven of the eight Stanfests to date. He has shared the songwriters' workshop stages with artists such as Eric Bogle, Chuck Brodsky, James Keelaghan, JP Cormier and Lennie Gallant.

A ten-year gap in recording was bridged when Jim met and befriended Canadian folk festival pioneer Mitch Podolak at the second Stan Rogers Folk Festival. Following that festival Podolak sent Jim's material to veteran producer Paul Mills. Mills liked what he heard and maintained regular contact during the following year. Paul and Jim would perform together during the next festival and the foundation was laid for the "From the Heart" project. The CD was finally released on the Bogbard label at the 2004 festival.

Since its release "From the Heart" has received air play across Canada, the US, Australia and Europe. Reviews and comments from prominent industry people are consistently endorsing Jim's reputation as a quality song writer. The CD has been selected for features in several of the leading folk magazines this summer and several international recording artists are considering Jim's material for release. Jim is definitely a songwriter to keep your eye on. As one fan aptly stated "he can reach in and pull the heart right out of you with a few simple words". I can certainly relate to that statement.

-- Troy Greencorn, Artistic Director, Stan Rogers Folk Festival.