In an attempt to capture all of the events of my fathers live, I decided to present his history by decade. There are actually 2 categories, his Personal and Profession or Career information. Most of the information here is gather through articles and interview with my dad. If you know anything different...like actual dates, feel free to pop me an email and correct it.
Thanks!!
Jimmy
1920’s PERSONAL 1923-Born: Homer Robert Eanes, Jr on December 6, 1923 in Mountain Valley, Va. to Homer Robert “Uncle Bob” Eanes and Beatrice Richardson Eanes Brothers: Stafford, Ralph, Bobby and Ted Sisters: Inez, Lois 1925-Severely burned his left hand—grabbing irons in a fireplace PROSSESSIONAL Some signs of music interest watch Uncle Bob playing his banjo, but told it wouldn’t happen because of his hand.
1930’s PERSONAL Work in Uncle Bob’s general store and bootleg-a-torium Ended his schooling in the 8th grade Worked in tobacco field and furniture factory Learned to play a guitar in spite of his hand PROSSESSIONAL 1932-Bought his first guitar through Sears and Roebuck Played with Bob Eanes (grandpa) and the Mountain Valley Bootleggers Uncle Bob Eanes, Hassell Stanley, Little Bobby Eanes, Bill Gregory 1939-Started with Roy Hall and the Blue Ridge Entertainers-playing WDBJ in Roanoke, VA 1940’s PERSONAL Tried to enlist in army, but rejected because of his hand and broken arm Convinced by marketing person to change his name to Jim….Smilin’ Jim 1946-Moved from Martinsville to Knoxville to play Tennessee Valley Barn Dance PROSSESSIONAL 1943-Left Roy Hall’s band after Hall was killed in auto accident 1946– Played with Joe Johnson & the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys in Martinsville, VA recorded his first song on the National Label (78) 1947– Co wrote “Wedding Bell’s”, “Next Sunday Darling is My Birthday”, I Overlooked an Orchid”, “Missing in Action” with Arthur Q. Smith 1948-Worked briefly with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs before joining Monroe 1948 Work with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys Don Reno (banjo) Benny Martin (fiddle) Joel Price (bass) 1949–First Capital recording after winning Capitals talent competition with Snuffy Jenkins (banjo) and Homer Sherrill (fiddle) 1950’s PERSONAL Early 50’s-met Ruby “Dickie” Morris at Starling Theater in Martinsville, VA married in 1953 1953-moved to South Hill, VA working radio for Johnny Shultz 1954-returned to Martinsville to work radio at WHEE 1955-I was born! James “Jimmy” Robert Eanes-January 18 PROSSESSIONAL 1950-worked at WBTM Radio in Danville, VA 1951-Started the Shenandoah Valley Boys in Danville, VA Hubert Davis (banjo) Pee Wee Davis (fiddle) Recorded 15 titles for Blue Ridge label including Long Journey Home/Lady of Spain/Missing in Action (wrote with A Q Smith and it was 3rd on the country charts selling 400,000 copies 1952-Decca contract– 30 titles in six sessions I Cried Again/Little Brown Hand/Wiggle Worm Wiggle/Rose Garden Waltz 1955-DJ at WHEE Shenandoah Valley Boys Allen Shelton (Banjo), Roy Russell (fiddle), Arnold Terry and dad 1956-Starday contract-9 years 35 titles in twelve sessions Little Log Cabin/Your Old Standby 1960’s PERSONAL Early 60’s-moved to 419 Murohy Rd. in Collinsville, VA 1967 moved to Danville, VA working radio in Chatham, VA 1969-moved to Roanoke, VA PROSSESSIONAL 196--multiple Bluegrass festival DJing 1964- 1967-played the Wheeling Jamboree 1968-joined the Tennessee Cutups (Reno & Smiley’s old group) formed Shenandoah Cutups Billy Edwards (banjo), Hershel Sizemore (mandolin), Tater Tate (fiddle), John Palmer (bass) 1970’s PERSONAL 1972-returned to Collinsville, VA 1978– heart attack PROSSESSIONAL
1980’s PERSONAL 1983-wife Dickie dies July 21 PROSSESSIONAL The Rebel Recordings 1988– inducted into the Virginia Folk Music Association Hall of Fame 1988– European Tours– England, Scotland, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Belgium
1990’s PERSONAL 1992-diagnosed with Emphysema-moved to Charlotte, NC with Jimmy’s family 1993-returned home, Bill Vernon was dad’s care giver and chauffeur and great friend! 1995-Dad passed way November 21 in at Blue Ridge Center, Martinsville, VA he is buried at Roselawn Cemetery in Martinsville,VA ….his tombstone reads “In His Arms I’m not Afraid” PROSSESSIONAL 1990-Jim’s final CD Released “50th Anniversary” on Rebel records 1993-Jim final recording was in Danville, VA with Tony Rice, recorded “Freight Train” this was the first and the last time I ever recorded a song with my dad 1993– Jim was inducted into IBMA’s Hall of Fame receiving a Certificate of Merit for Lifetime Achievement 1995– August– Dad’s last performance was at the Andy Griffith Theater in Mt. Airy, NC this was also the last time I played publically with my dad