In 1974, Jim wrote and recorded his first chart making song, The Swamp Witch, produced by his boyhood friend Ken 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.
Jim launched his television career with The Jim Stafford Show on ABC in 1975. He co-hosted the popular prime-time show Those Amazing Animals with Burgess Meredith and Pricilla Presley. He also hosted 56 episodes of Nashville on the Road and made 26 appearances on the Tonight Show.
Jim received a gold record for his work on the Disney movie, The Fox and the Hound. Songs written for other popular artists include Can’t Get The Hell Out of Texas, recorded by George Jones and Jerry Reed. Recently he wrote and recorded Don’t Tell Mama I’m A Guitar Picker, Don’t Be Chicken When It’s Time To Crow, and Talk That Guitar.
Jim’s first love has always been to perform in front of a live audience. 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.
Jim’s son Sheaffer joined his father on stage when he was 10 days old. Now 12-years old, Sheaffer plays the drums, slide guitar, fiddle, glockenspiel and piano during Jim’s show. His daughter G.G. is 8 years old and also joins the festivities on stage.
Voted Branson’s Best Entertainer, Best Comedy Show and Best Personality, Jim’s delivers a show filled with giggles, guitar mania and gigantic special effects. 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.
