Multi-talented musician Jim Henry specializes in being a “hired gun” for some of the best in the business. He’s added color and nuance to the music of luminaries like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paula Cole, Eliza Gilkyson, The Box Car Lilies as well as local heroes Abe Loomis and Eric Lee. He’s an in-demand engineer and producer as well. But this week he’s my guest in a completely different role; solo acoustic folk singer. He has a few local shows to help promote and it was my pleasure to welcome him back to Nine Volt Heart to play and sing a few of his original songs live in-studio.

We open the set with an instrumental “Windy and Wet” from an early album, now out of print called “Jacksonville”. Jim performs a fun tribute to his son, Jackson, called “We Think We’ll Keep Him”. That is followed by ” Sound of the Whistle Blow” from the 1999 disc “The Wayback”. Jim follows this with a brand new song which is a cowrite of sorts with Abbie Gardner called “Since You’ve Been Gone”.

Since Ruby Henry, Jim’s daughter, is the opening act in his latest tour, we listened to her rendition of “Sugartown” with Jim on guitar. I convince Jim to do one more live and he gives a gorgeous nostalgic look at small town life called “The Wayback”.

Our discussion covers lots of ground; from his preparation as a “sideman for the stars” to his latest projects which include a book and a podcast called “Pro Tips” as well as raising musical kids. Jim and Ruby Henry play Northampton’s Parlor Room on October 7th at 7:00PM

Listen in to our set with this audio link: