Jim Byrnes

Artist Website

Jim Byrnes, born in St. Louis, Missouri, was immersed in blues from an early age, growing up in a neighborhood where Ike and Tina Turner were the house band at a local bar. By age thirteen, he was playing blues guitar and performing professionally. Over his decades-long career, he has shared the stage with blues legends like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Taj Mahal. Moving to Vancouver in the mid-70s, Byrnes established himself in the local music scene, forming a band in 1981 that played 300 nights a year by 1986. While he is also known for his acting roles in Wiseguy, Highlander, and The Jim Byrnes Show, his passion remains rooted in blues music, earning him multiple Juno Awards for albums such as That River and House of Refuge.

Byrnes has continued to release critically acclaimed music, collaborating with producer Steve Dawson on albums that blend blues, gospel, rockabilly, and country influences. His 2012 album I Hear The Wind in the Wires paid tribute to the golden age of country music, while 2014’s St. Louis Times reflected on his roots. In 2017, Long Hot Summer Dayscontinued his tradition of mixing originals with rhythm and blues classics. Still actively touring, performing 150 shows a year across North America and Europe, Byrnes remains a celebrated figure in both music and film, bringing his soulful voice and storytelling to audiences worldwide.