Jimmy
Nalls 'The Voo Doo In You' |
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Jimmy Nalls was a founding member of the band Sea Level, along
with piano player Chuck Leavell (currently with the Rolling Stones).
This band was formed when the Allman Brothers broke up in 1977 and
Sea Level went on to become one of the mainstays of Macon, Georgia
based Capricorn Records. They recorded 6 albums of original compositions
and Jimmy’s influence was obvious from the very first note. Known as
somewhat of a fusion/southern rock band, Sea Level incorporated advanced
chord changes and harmonic twists into the blues based foundation of
southern rock and created an innovative and unique sound that still
stands the test of time when heard now, some 25 years later.
As a studio guitarist, Jimmy was in great demand in Macon back through
the 1980’s, recording with Gregg Allman, Bonnie Bramlett and many others
before moving to Nashville in the early 1990’s. Word got out that Jimmy
had moved to Guitar Town and he was soon right in the thick of things
again, working with country greats like Bill Anderson , B.J. Thomas
and T. Graham Brown. It was around this time that Jimmy got the call
from harmonica great, Mark Wenner, to come and join the NightHawks,
a killer blues band based in Washington DC. Along with former Wet Willie
singer, Jimmy Hall, Jimmy Nalls helped revitalize the Hawks, who are
still out and rockin’ today.
Along about this time, Jimmy noticed the first symptoms of what would soon be diagnosed as Parkinson’s Disease. Unfortunately, the disease got progressively worse and forced Jimmy to leave the road for good and stay closer to home and his doctors in Nashville.
Focusing on songwriting and studio work, Jimmy made his own solo CD, called No
Stranger To The Blues. Critically acclaimed, the CD received airplay
all over the US and on radio stations as far away as Australia. Jimmy wrote or
co-wrote almost everything on the record and his guitar playing was as tasty
and in the pocket as ever. He still had the chops and the fire but he personally
could tell that his talents were being diminished by the disease. He underwent
a radical new treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. Two tiny transmitters were installed
into his brain to help stop the tremors associated with the disease. The procedure
has been successful and Jimmy has once again become an inspiration for others,
as he reaches out to other people suffering with the disease.
*http://jackpearson.com/nalls.html
Click here to go to Jimmy Nalls' Website
No Stranger To The Blues
available from http://www.theplanetcompany.com