Boston Based Guitarist Jim Scoppa has recently finished recording his first cd of music, which is the culmination of years of inspiration from artists and guitar players that have had an important role in shaping his playing style.

Since 1967 , Jim has been playing mostly in the New England area, with the occaisonal tour as sideman to various singer/songwriters. His favorite genres to work with are rock, blues, country and soul, but not necessarily in that order. Its all about the feel and/or soul of the music that makes it worthwhile. The players that are most influential to him have mostly been unique in their manner of simpicity, yet well defined and to the point. Its always good to hear anyone who can be tasteful and exciting at the same time ,with great tone, which is what he strives for.

For some examples of this, go back to the early days of folk rock and chicago blues which Mike Bloomfield played equally well or Stax era soul of Steve Cropper with Booker T and The MGS . British Blues and Rock of the late 60's always involved some of the best and most exciting players on the planet who were just as influential as the americans. Jim remembers watching Buck Owens on TV with the same amazement as seeing a young Eric Clapton with Cream at the " psychodelic supermarket " in 1968, or Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin,Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall with Mick Taylor at the "Boston Tea Party ".

During the early 70s, while in college, Jim was exposed to the early recordings of some of the most important blues guitarists of our time, such as Elmore James, Otis Rush,Freddy,Albert and BB King,Buddy Guy,Magic Sam, and was fortunate enough to see some of them playing locally in the Cambridge, MA. area when blues nightclubs were thriving like " Paul's Mall , Jazz Workshop, Joe's Place, etc.. One thing these players had in common was their passion for playing which usually came across in a big way.

Moving along through the 70's , seemed to continue to be formative years for Jim after a friend introduced him to country players like James Burton, Albert Lee, Roy Buchanan, Don Rich, Roy Nicholsi, and Clarence White. He eventually traded in his stratocaster for a telecaster at this point and hit the ground running. Hearing these players reminded him of the music he had heard early on as a youngster who visited relatives in New Hampshire every summer and was exposed to country music on the radio stations that were playing it exclusively outside of massachusetts. Great guitar playing was always in the forefront of these recordings which really were part of pop music when only AM radio existed. At that time it seems like every kind of pop music crossed Over and co-existed on the record charts at the same time, which is somewhat Jim's playing style is about.

Jim picked up a guitar about one year after the Beatles invasion, and is thankful for having an older brother and older sister spoonfeeding him great music to listen too and be inspired by. All roads seem to lead back to Chet Atkins, who's playing influenced George Harrison. It may be possible to hear all these influences at times in his playing, but to him its most important to end up with something that is your own, individual style, sound, and approach.

Currently, Jim is playing with nashville based singer/songwriter—Tom Hambridge, who will be doing some northeast shows—see "Touring " For schedule.