I am a singer/songwriter whose songs reflect strong family values and experiences from real life. My songs tell a story that most people can relate to and are rooted in my reflections on life and living. I grew up in a midwest farming family with 12 brothers and sisters, so I know just a little about family.
My songs, for the most part, are easy listening and country in nature, although I'm a fan of music from the 50's to today - classic country, rock 'n roll, soft rock, ballads, and more. And bands that reflected the times of my life like CCR, Chicago, the Eagles, Beatles, Firefall, Alabama, just to name a few.
My heros in music are many, from Don Williams to George Jones, Hank Williams, Sr. to Kris Kristofferson, and from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson.
While the artist brings a song to life, it's the lyric and the story that motivates me to write and sing. A love song, a tribute, a powerful experience...all of these are the foundation for a moving story in a song.
Jim Asleson
Born in 1956, Jim Asleson is one of 13 children of Eilert and Rita Asleson, a dairy farming family in Iowa.
Jimmy Dean was Jim's given name, in honor of the country artist of the day.
Jim and his brothers and sisters grew up with country music in the home...and in the barn. It was a mainstay of making it through the chores of the day and was one of the few bright spots in the otherwise mundane dairy farming routine. The songs on the radio kept our imaginations going and our spirits high. Brother Ronnie was a true inspiration, playing several instruments and performing lead vocals for classic country songs in our makeshift family band. Truck Drivin' Man and I've Been Everywhere were two of my favorites.
Jim picked up a guitar and taught himself to play shortly after high school. He first performed at a college coffee house and also performed at the Country Music Showdown in Charlotte, NC in 1988.
Jim and his wife Elke, the inspiration behind many of his original songs, live in Albany, Oregon. Son Kris has an interest in more contemporary rap music, but enjoys songwriting is his own right.
As a YMCA Director, Jim writes and performs songs for the YMCA and other special occaisions in his hometown of Albany, OR. He has produced two CDs of original songs and is looking forward to a rewarding songwriting career with Broadjam and TAXI!