Jim Gilmer:  

I left Columbus in Aug of 69 to attend Gulf Coast, in Panama City, FL. Really it was too soon after loosing my best friend in an auto accident, and coming close to death myself. My father thought it was the best think, so I went. I didn't stay a full tri-mester, before I came back to Columbus to work at Kirvens on their shipping/receiving dock. I stayed almost a year, then went to Atlanta to attend Career Academy, and later Elkins Institute. This and knowing Mike Brandenburg, armed me with enough credentials to work at WHYD, and later WXLE, in Phenix City. I only worked part time on and off for about two years. During that two years I ended up working two full time shifts at both stations at the same time. It was challenging, interesting, and not really more than I could do. That went on for six months. That six month period was the only time that I had quit playing out in bands around the Columbus area since I was seventeen. I got the opportunity to go to Atlanta in late 74, which I really thought I needed in more ways than just my musical growth, so I did. It was very hard and different than anything I had done thus far, but I didn't have anything else and I felt I must stick to it in order to advance. I ended up getting married in 75. That marriage lasted five years. I was called back to Columbus to play in a house band in 76 at Dee Fords. That group did very well, and stayed there for eight months after I got with them. We took a two week vacation then went to Atlanta to play Dee Fords there and broke up. All that happened just about that fast... From there I played in several bands both local to Atlanta and road bands. I enjoyed the music and the life style, and surprisingly made e...Expand for more