Best known for his humorous country novelty songs of the mid-'70s, multi-instrumentalist Jim Stafford also enjoyed a lengthy career as a television personality and live entertainer. Stafford was born in 1944 in the Florida town of Eloise, near Winter Haven, and learned guitar from his father. He started playing in local bands as a teenager, including one, the Legends, that included future country-rock legend Gram Parsons , as well as Kent LaVoie, who would later become singer/songwriter Lobo.
Stafford was performing in Clearwater, FL, when he ran into Lobo and asked if he would consider recording Stafford's original "The Swamp Witch."
Lobo suggested that Stafford record it himself, and helped him land a contract with MGM; he would later produce many of Stafford's singles as well.
"The Swamp Witch" scraped the bottom of the Top 40 in 1973, but it was the following year's "Spiders and Snakes" -- a song co-written with David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers -- that brought Stafford into the big time. The song peaked at number three on the pop charts, went gold, and helped make Stafford a household name.
His sense of humor was also showcased on the follow-up hits "My Girl Bill" and "Wildwood Weed," the latter another Top Ten pop hit, and he charted in the Top 40 again in 1975 with "Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne" and "I Got Stoned and I Missed It."
By that time, Stafford was enough of a celebrity to get his own short-lived prime-time variety show, which ran during the summer of 1975.
In 1981, Stafford appeared in the Clint Eastwood movie Any Which Way but Loose and contributed his last chart single, "Cow Patti," to the soundtrack.
The following year, he wrote three songs for Disney's animated feature The Fox and the Hound. He hosted two television programs, Those Amazing Animals and Nashville on the Road, in the early '80s and later in the decade served as a writer for the Smothers Brothers' return to prime-time television.
In the meantime, he continued to tour and recorded a few one-off singles for various labels. In 1990, he settled in Branson, MO, which has since become a mecca for country music and family entertainment; he currently owns his own theater there and plays over 350 shows a year
America's Favorite Jim Stafford Songs
In 1974, Jim wrote and recorded his first chart making song, “The Swamp Witch”, produced by his boyhood friend Kent LaVoie, (Known as Lobo). He followed with a gold single, “Spiders and Snakes”, which stayed on the American pop charts for 26 weeks. The hits just kept coming and included “My Girl Bill”, “Wildwood Weed”, and the wonderfully satirical “Cow Patti”, written for the Clint Eastwood movie, Any Which Way You Can , in which Jim appeared.
National Television Star
Jim launched his television career with The Jim Stafford Show on ABC in 1975. His numerous television appearances included music specials, variety shows, and talk shows. He co-hosted the popular prime-time show “Those Amazing Animals” with Burgess Meredith and Pricilla Presley. Jim also hosted 56 episodes of “Nashville on the Road” and made 26 appearances on the “Tonight Show”. In 1987 & 1988, Jim was a regular performer and head writer/producer for the Emmy-nominated Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He has also worked with Joan Rivers, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Bruce Springsteen, Glenn Campbell, Gallagher, and many others.
Songwriter
Jim wrote many of the songs for which he is famous and has brought his inimitable style to several movie soundtracks. He received a gold record for his work in the Disney movie, The Fox and The Hound , and writes for other popular artists such as his “Can't Get The Hell Out of Texas”, recorded by George Jones and Jerry Reed. Recently Jim has written and recorded such songs as “Layenda Pipeline”, “Don't Be Chicken When It's Time To Crow”, “Talk That Guitar”, and more. He has released his second classical guitar album, “Somewhere In Time” and recently released another album "Don't Tell Mama I'm A Guitar Picker".
Live Performer
Jim's first love has always been live performance. This love brought him to Branson, Missouri, where he owns a theater and entertains visitors all year long. The singer, songwriter, comic genius, and entertainer extraordinaire is self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, harmonica and the human brain - – he might bring any of them into play at any moment.
In his 18 h season in Branson, Jim's show is a favorite with audiences and critics alike. Jim has been voted Best Entertainer, Best Comedy Show, and Best Personality by 417 Magazine, the Springfield NewsLeader, and the Branson Entertainment Awards. During his show Jim combines hysterical comedy with masterful performances on the classical guitar and heart-warming stories of the human spirit. Critically acclaimed as the “Victor Borge of the Guitar”, Jim creates hilarious antics from everyday life taking laughter to a new art form.
Laser lights, a real 3-D Virtual Thrill Ride (created and developed in-house), and more are just a few of the zany surprises that await you. Flying saucers hover, guitars drop, cows stampede, and Chihuahuas are saved, all in one experience at the Jim Stafford Show.
Jim's Branson theatre is reminiscent of the great theaters of the 40's and 50's. From the award-winning landscaping to the lighting and sound, the Jim Stafford Theatre is one of the most technologically advanced in the country. The stage background is actually a 14' x 40' computer screen, enabling the show to be enhanced by incredible graphics and video.
Personal
Jim and Ann, and their two children, Shea and G.G., live just outside of Branson, on Table Rock Lake. Ann is a behind the scenes creative and business partner. Shea is 15 years old now and has joined his father on stage since he was 10 days old. Sheaffer plays drums, slide guitar, fiddle, glockenspiel, and piano. G.G. (Georgia Garland) is 11 years old and joins her father on stage as well -- performing on the piano, glockenspiel, and harp.
Born in Winterhaven, Florida, Jim was recently inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame. In high school, Jim and his friends, songwriter Bobby Braddock, Kent LaVoie and Gram Parsons (of the Byrds) played together in a band, each member of this little “garage band” going on to national success in the music business. Jim was introduced to comedy while playing with Jumpin' Bill Carlisle in Nashville as a guitarist.
Jim produces and stars in his show in Branson and was named by Mayflower Tours as one of their top ten suppliers in North America. Visitors to Branson can get another taste of Jim's talent at IMAX Theatre in the opening segment “Neighbors”, which Jim wrote and produced. Recently, Jim's play Neighborhood Watch premiered on the Springfield Little Theatre stage and ran for a season in Branson. Jim and his wife Ann received the coveted Ambassadors Award from the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and led the drive to extend Branson to a year round destination in a promotion called “Hot Winter Fun”. Both Jim and Ann have served on the Branson Lakes Area Chamber Board of Directors and many volunteer committees. Jim wrote the song used for the video “Branson Has More Then A Hundred Shows” and several promotional songs for the Branson area including “Down On Table Rock Lake”, “Branson Town”, “Just Give Me Branson”, “Even Santa Vacations In Branson”, and others. Jim's TV commercials, radio ads, and print advertising have received numerous Silver and Gold Addys, as well as Tellys.
Of his life on Table Rock Lake, Jim says “Every day in Branson is a wonderful day, if you don't think so, just try skipping one…It's exciting having the opportunity to do what I enjoy the most and be a part of a wonderful community like Branson.”
A little more about the Artist
Jim Stafford, voted Branson's Best Entertainer, takes laughter to a new art form! Critically acclaimed as the “Victor Borge of the Guitar”, Jim creates hilarious antics from everyday life – out of his mind and into your heart! Famous for his million-selling records, “Spiders and Snakes”, “Cow Patti”, and the infamous “My Girl Bill”, Jim satirizes the obvious with his music and comedy. Only Jim Stafford can combine hysterical comedy with masterful performances on the classical guitar and heart-warming stories of the human spirit, a must-see show in Branson for 20 years!
From the opening moments of Jim's show you're in for a wild ride of fun and laughter powered by the clever cogs and witty wheels spinning in Jim Stafford's innovative mind.
Ask someone about Jim Stafford's show and they'll start laughing. That's because Jim loves playing for his audience but even more he loves playing with his audience. “I have found that my audiences are some of the funniest people in the world,” says Jim. “Getting out in the middle of them produces spontaneous, original laughs. Nobody can write a joke as funny as people can just naturally be.”
Along with hilarious comedy, Jim astounds you with his incredible guitar pickin'. From his unique version of the blues to his amazing versatility with the guitar you'll marvel at Jim's uncanny ability to play with your mind and strum your senses.
Jim's carefree world is fun for children of all ages. At Jim's show, worries and cares are tossed to the wind, and during two hours of uncontrollable laughter, family fun takes on a whole new meaning. Joining in the fun is Jim's 15-year-old son Sheaffer on the slide guitar, piano, fiddle, and drums. Daughter G.G. (11-years-old) performs on the piano and adds some whimsical wit of her own. Both kids follow in dad's footsteps with impeccable timing and excellent musicianship.
For laughing out loud -- see the Jim Stafford Show! Shows are Saturday through Wednesday at 8:00 PM and on Thursdays and other selected dates at 3:00 PM. For tickets call 417-335-8080 or visit jimstafford.com
