Jim Chesnut Performances (Jim Chestnut Performances)

Saturday night, January 19th, was Jim's first performance of 2008. Approximately 70 people attended the event, which was a fundraiser for the Comal County Unitarian Universal Society's new worship center. Worship services are set to begin in the CCUUS new home in early April.

The New Braunfels event was once again held at the Forke Store in New Braunfels' historic Conservation Plaza. It was Jim's second appearance to help raise money for the church's building project. In the spring of 2007, Chesnut thrilled the audience with his selection of original Americana songs and country classics and gained many new fans in the process.

The woman pictured on the left is reading Jim's history as a singer / songwriter in Nashville in the late 1970s and early 1980s. For complete information click here or visit the links at the bottom of this page.

Jim's performance appeals to his audience on several levels. First he is a gifted singer, having honed his God-given talents singing as a "lounge lizard," as he calls it, from 1970 until 1976 when he moved to Nashville. "I played every Holiday Inn and Ramada Inn in Dallas and East Texas that would hire me," he explains.

Second, Jim is a plain-spoken songwriter. Each of his original songs has a story to tell. "I don't think in abstract terms. As a communications major in college, I learned the importance of writing for clarity. I want the listener to understand what I'm trying to say without having to translate too much of it," he says. "I ain't Ezra Pound."

Third, he loves to entertain. With a spontaneity that rivals many stand-up comics, Chesnut just can't help but make people laugh. "I don't set out to be funny," he says. "It just comes out whenever I'm enjoying the audience." In the New Braunfels show, Jim introduced Cheatin' Heart Attack, a clever song from his CD Reflections, that tells the story of an aging married man who dances with a younger woman and has a heart attack. The audience laughed so hard, he could barely finish the song.

Finally, Jim really loves to mingle, making each person feel welcome. "If people don't have fun, I don't have fun. And, if I don't have fun, I might as well stay home," says Chesnut.

Below you will find a number of pictures that tell the whole story. When you attend a house concert with Jim Chesnut, you will be entertained!

What a nice evening you provided for us! I’ve heard nothing but glowing comments about your talent, your entertaining and sincere ways of transitioning between songs, your humor… It just goes on and on! So thank you so much for the lovely time and the $$$ for our building fund.

--Mary Hitch, President
Comal County Unitarian Universalist Society
New Braunfels, TX

Have been trying to contact you ever since. We felt driven to do so, because we've been playing your songs from the CD's we bought, and we love your music. We celebrate your philosophy and are inclined to become loyal fans.

Thanks, Jim, for a lovely evening and music that will enhance our happy hours for years to come.

--Mary and John Powell

Grady's Texas Star Inn

Americana music lovers recently gathered close to the stage to hear Jim at San Antonio's famed Texas Star Inn (now Grady's Bar-B-Q). The old rock-faced inn is located at 7400 Bandera Rd and historically was originally built as a motorcycle "beer joint," it soon became headquarters for Frank Klein and his Texas Star Playboys which included a young Larry Nolen. Mama Klein cooked burgers and served cold beer. Over the years that Mama and Papa ran the Inn, many famous artists like Ray Price, Faron Young, Roger Miller and Willie Nelson played here. When Johnny Bush came to town, Papa Klein gave him his first professional job. Johnny celebrated 30 years of playing Honky Tonks at the Inn in 1984.