Jim Kolbe

Birthdate: May 12, 1953 , in Lorain , Ohio

Current Band: Biersdorf & Kolbe

Past Bands: Played solo on and off for 25 years except for afew pick-up bands I put together for special events.

Gear: Takamine acoustic( it's a real "road warrior"), a steel body Dobro, a Carlos Robelli arch-top electric and a Fender Blues Jr. amp

Recordings you are on: "First Time Through" and "Two Live" both by Biersdorf & Kolbe

Favorite guitarist (living): Paul Geremia and Robert Lockwood

Favorite guitarist (deceased): Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Willie McTell

Favorite singer (living): Robert Lockwood and Delbert McClinton

Favorite singer (deceased): Skip James

First record: "The Hully Gully" by Bill Dogget (I was 10 years old)

First blues record: "My Kinda Place " by Paul Geremia (I was 31 years old)

Music career focus: Lately, I have been spending a lot of time listening to all the wonderful talent in town. Central Ohio has a ton of excellent musicians and I am trying to learn something from everyone.

Jim Kolbe: " I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and daughter, good friends and a great musical partner. I recently stopped being so hung up on the business end of music. Now I'm out to play and have fun and I hope that I can transfer that into to the audience.....I would also like to thank everyone connected with the recent blues challenge. Due to family obligations, I could not be there to receive the award. It meant a lot to me and I appreciate it very much."