WRITING SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY HOLDS RESPONSIBILITY
Self-Published & Worthy. Keyboards, Chasing the Dragon & Jerry Garcia
Seven years ago I first listened to a soft-spoken, slightly self-deprecating, incredibly talented keyboardist in Annapolis, and over three years ago I was reminded of that musician’s mysteriously cloaked past and said to him, “We need to write your story.” Upon receipt of his raised-eyebrow astonishment, I admitted to having no real idea what I was delving into, only intriguing bits and rumors, but the desire to document this man’s experiences was so strong that I offered my writing services to him at no cost. I’m so glad I did.
That is where the conversation ended, but later he reconnected, reconsidered, and confided, “No one knows the whole story. I’ll bare my soul to you, if you can stomach it.” My stomach did do a little dance, actually, but I was intimidated not at all. James (Jimmy) Jacobs aka Jimmy Warren, aka Jim Johnson, (aka, aka…) and I combined our forces to write my seventh book. Lucky seven. Lucky me. He and I agree that most memoirs and biographies include large amounts of superfluous information so we’re concentrating on his third decade, 1975 to 1984. Fifty years, as it turns out, is a long way to look back, and becomes a page-turning read.
During our first meeting I went through an entire legal pad at Starbucks; hot tea went cold as I felt the weight of a responsibility I had so firmly requested. It’s no small thing, to become another person, speak in their voice while constructing the intimate details of a life you haven’t lived but need to do justice. Not just do it justice but bring it back to life, in black and white, with a spine, making sure the key points are driven home in the form of entertainment, explanation and a dash of irony. I researched, learned and experienced substantial awe about the paths and bridges Jimmy crossed and built.
Anecdotes spilled forth about multiple passports, counterculture characters and supplying what fueled them, talented people you’ve never heard of and some you have, playing four-hand piano with Chuck Berry, exploring every genre and touring with the Jerry Garcia Band. Jimmy had been wise enough to jot down a few stand-out escapades, a delightful, intriguing assortment, really. Like the stamps in his passports, intriguing, unexpected.
To quote the Eagles, it truly was Life in the Fast Lane, and I became even more honored to be the only one who was told the story, in order to make sure that everyone would eventually hear the story.
I will be perfectly humble and tell you that I sent out many time-consuming, soul-sucking, well-researched query letters (47 all told) to agents and representatives of the traditional publishing industry, hoping for someone who was willing to take a chance on an aging keyboardist with a truly worthwhile tale and an unknown writer, but I didn’t find one. I took a class, even, and digested towering piles of advice on how best to find the right representation, bought books about publishing books…ironically enough. It’s a changing industry and there are no vampires in there, just bold truth. No regrets, just reminisces.
Well, all those ‘professional’ people missed out, in my humble opinion. When you read this story, I think you’ll agree. “Who Is Jimmy Warren?” now joins this author’s list of self-published work about a life that is far beyond ordinary. In an era when innovation peaked, this creative, entrepreneurial keyboardist had his finger in all the pies in San Francisco and beyond. Jimmy was introduced to Jerry Garcia and passed unconventional auditions with flying colors, playing over a hundred shows in 1981-1982. That music still lives on today. His incarnation recorded some of the Jerry Garcia Band’s best work; two shows were released to accolades in 2023; the person named on keyboards is Jimmy Warren, someone who never actually existed. Lots of folks, when they saw the insert, asked, “Who is Jimmy Warren?” “It’s a long story,” he’d tell them, thinking, Oh, if you only knew… the secrets were secret until now. Jimmy can still play all of that music and scores more, blindfolded, upside down and backwards; the book delivers insight into myriad aspects of the hippie counterculture and the burgeoning music scene. You should not miss this read!
This ‘Stack announcement is the second step in a marketing plan that DAMN WELL BETTER WORK (I know for certain your warm, generous hearts are going to SHARE & RESTACK this publication, please—EVERYBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY WHO LOVES the counterculture, the Deadheads, and all the other genres that came out of the San Francisco Bay area at the crux of Sex, Drugs & Rock’n’Roll. Everybody knows the words to Life in the Fast Lane. Here’s another ride.
NO REGRETS-- Just available— Ebook, Paperback & Hardcover
If you would prefer and are proximate enough to personally experience our debut of “Who Is Jimmy Warren?” please come and hear Jimmy Jacobs tickle the ivories with Dean’s Five Piece Racket on May 16th at the very location where his sweet music first tickled my ears, a cool little coffee and wine bar in old Downtown Annapolis, Maryland, called 49 West. We’re selling signed copies and it’s gonna be a sought-after show, so make a reservation! Good things keep happening there.
THANK YOU, TRULY & SINCERELY, for getting this far. My happiness is radiating.
Until next week. ~J
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BRILLIANT, MYSTERIOUS KEYBOARD PLAYER
I think some of those old-school hippie music lovers are undercover, incognito, and everywhere among us, so we should send this work along to everyone. Right?? Take a step back in time. Please SHARE & RESTACK this post. It really does help publicize my work and is much appreciated.
As always, my world can be found on my website “Everybody Has A Story”
For direct access to my Author Page on Amazon, Janice Anne Wheeler.
Keep it to yourself, love it and then share.
Thanks!
Is there anything you don’t go after with all your heart and soul?
It may go without saying, but I hope you are as stinking proud of yourself as those of us who know you! The vision and tenacity it takes to pull this off are not something everyone can summon. And hey -- you and Jimmy crossed paths for reason, right?
Excited to see the real deal, and to be able to say, "I know the talented writer of this amazing book." Huzzah!