Jim Hurst is a great bluegrass musician. A two-time IBMA award winner for Guitar Player of the Year, Jim plays and sings with all the power, drive and soul of the best in the genre.

But what many people may not realize is that Jim Hurst is also one of the most versatile acoustic musicians around. He has chops that allow him to tackle swing, blues and jazz with equal ease. On more than one occasion, I've sat down with my guitar to learn one of his solos, only to be amazed by the elegance and beauty of the lines that seem to fall so effortlessly from his fingers.

Box of Chocolates is a real boon for fans of great acoustic music. All the aspects of his multi-faceted talent are represented here, from hard driving bluegrass on tracks like "Look Down Hannah" and the driving instrumental "Unlucky Seven", to the funky solo guitar and voice rendition of "Susie Q", to a gentle, lyrical interpretation of the standard "Young at Heart" (featuring band mate Claire Lynch).

Without question, bluegrass music is fortunate to be able to claim a part of Jim Hurst's musical genius. What's more, acoustic music is the richer for the fact that Jim has shared the range of his musical talents on this outstanding solo outing.

Thanks Jim!

Alison Brown
Nashville TN
March 2007

*************************************************************************************************************************

"Box of Chocolates" is a funny name for a musical recording, I think. Funny in that there's not much in the way of music in an actual box of assorted chocolates. But as I could be diagnosed as a chocoholic, I can hear music of some sort when I bite into one of those little delectable treasures. I can also get dangerously possessive and act like a starving dog if someone tries to take one away from me. Funny in the way that not many artists would think of using that title or imagery to affix to a recording, probably only one other than myself. BINGO, there's an idea! Unique, different, maybe even someone might see it as slightly artistic.

But art doesn't sell, is what I've learned over the years. "Saleable" music has to fit in a box, a marketing plan, a mold of sorts; It would sell better if the business concerns were considered first; That seems to be the consensus. And yes, maybe, I am committing some sort of music industry faux pas by stepping out of the norm and into the abnormal. Well I ain't ever been a commercially viable product anyway, so why not record a CD that makes at least one person happy? ME! So, this is it... Box of Chocolates.

I came about this recording in a vanity sort of way, meaning I was fatigued with the idea and effort to try and make myself and my music fit into a box, and I wanted to do what I wanted and what I thought the 'fans' and the folks who have supported me wanted: and that was to just be me and let my hair down... musically speaking.

I feel good about this recording, I hope you do too. I have again enjoyed the experience of creating and finding songs, working out the arrangements, deciding who the list of players would be, and challenging myself to try and make this a better recording than my previous efforts. The variety of musical styles and feels is part of the reason I chose this title, the other part is that it is about fitting in a box, just a different one. I see this recording as it has one common entity: Jim Hurst. I am a complex guy, somewhat bordering on what some might say the edge of sanity, and at the same time I am a simple man... even boring at times. I enjoy finding humor at any moment and laughing as it makes me feel good, and it helps to keep up my cardio efforts, I can get angry and defend myself with fervor all the while still caring for the recipient. I treasure the small things in life and revel in the vast array of God's great blessings and beauty in this earth.

The songs included here have that same commonality. They all fit within one person's psyche, one heart, one face with many expressions. In other words, this is me. I am like a Box of Chocolates... and so is this recording: you never know what song you're gonna get, next. But it will be with heart.

Enjoy!
Jim Hurst
2007

*************************************************************************************************************************

Songlist and info

1 Chocolate Chaise Lounge - J. Hurst
Guitar - Jim Hurst
Bass - Mark Schatz
Mandolin - Sam Bush
I wrote this song around the Bass line, and Mark smoked it! So did Sam! And I was having so much fun!

2 Look Down Hannah - B. Gregory
Guitar & lead vocal - Jim Hurst
Mandolin - Steve Smith
Bass - Mark Schatz
Banjo - Scott Vestal
Harmony vocal - Jeremy Garrett
As soon as Bob sang this song for me, I asked for the privilege to record it Thanx for the art, Bob!

3 Mando Bounce - J. Hurst
Mandolin, Guitar - Jim Hurst
Bass - Dennis Crouch
Piano - Buck White
Fiddle - Tim Crouch
Background voices - Danny and Tim Carter, Jim Hurst
I wrote this tune on Mandolin. Inspired by elements of folks like Jethro Burns, Django Reinhardt, Glenn Miller, Bob Wills, Pete Fountain, and ballroom dancing. Just try and sit still!
"Come on and do the Mando Bounce!"

4 I Ain't Gonna Cry For You - B. Gregory
Guitar & lead vocal Jim Hurst
I think I share with Bob in that we pity the fool. Boo-Hoo.

5 Wildcatter - J. Hurst
Guitar - Jim Hurst
I have performed numerous versions of this prelude to Nine Pound Hammer in front of many different audiences. I just did in the studio what I do live, just played it for the moment.

6 Nine Pound Hammer - M. Travis (arr. - Jim Hurst)
Guitar and vocal - Jim Hurst
Merle Travis was the very first guitar master I ever met. He was a great person and generous to a 10 yr. old boy. He was kind and with a smile he autographed his name and "Keep on pickin' Jim!" Thanks Mr Travis, I intend to. Salute.

7 Kentucky Sunrise Waltz - J. Hurst
Guitar - Jim Hurst
Mandola - Steve Smith
Bass - Mark Schatz
Strings - Daniel Carwile
This is the first song I wrote at our new home in Kentucky. It was a glorious and sunny morning sitting on my front porch. I wrote 4 songs that day and finished another. Ahh, home.

8 Darlin' Tell Me Why - J. Hurst / S. Hylton
Guitar & lead and baritone vocal -Jim Hurst
Mandolin - Wayne Benson
Bass - Mark Schatz
Banjo - Scott Vestal
Fiddle - Sam Bush
Tenor vocal - Jeremy Garrett
I wrote this song with my dear friend and co-writer Steve Hylton. We left the answers up to the listener, but Sam Bush had already 'got it' while recording at the studio... cool!

9 C5 a la Mode - J. Hurst
Guitar - Jim Hurst
First song I wrote on my new Rockbridge 000. Emphasis on groove, the C-5 sound, and a solo performance. The 'a la mode' part is because of a modal voicing, and visions of ice cream...

10 Little Baby Child - B. Gregory / J. Hurst
Guitars Mandolin and lead vocal - Jim Hurst
Bass - Ross Sermons
Harmony Vocals - Cheryl White, Sharon White
I loved the idea of this song when I first heard it (which is a story unto itself), and I asked Bob if I could add a little to it, and he graciously agreed. First song I ever co-wrote by proxy. Sharon and Cheryl's voices are delightful!

11 Unlucky Seven - J. Hurst
Guitar - Jim Hurst
Mandolin - Wayne Benson
Bass - Mark Schatz
Banjo - Scott Vestal
Fiddle - Michael Cleveland
I wrote this song on Banjo while practicing. I did practice, really I did. But this was fun, and Scott Vestal is a hoss! The rest of the gang are hosses too.

12 Mary of The Wild Moor - trad. (Arr. J. Hurst)
Guitar & lead vocal - Jim Hurst
OK, every recording has to have a 'sadder'n your dog dying' song on it, and this is my choice. I have always loved this melody and to me, even though the story is sad, it is touching.
Moral: Don't mess around with the winds of the wild moor. Duh! Git yer tail in the house!

13 Susie Q - D. Hawkins Jr. / S. Lewis
Guitar & lead vocal Jim Hurst
White guy gets funky. Can't hep it, my whole family grooves, and I grew up too close to Motown.

14 'til There Was You - M. Wilson
Guitars - Jim Hurst
I have always loved this song, including the Beatles' rendition. Close your eyes... images appear.


15 Young at Heart - C. Leigh / J. Richards (arr. - Jim Hurst)
Guitars, harmony vocal - Jim Hurst
Lead vocal - Claire Lynch
Piano - John R. Burr
Bass - Viktor Krauss
Strings - Daniel Carwile
One of my fondest childhood memories is seeing and hearing Jimmy Durante at the piano singing this song on TV, and it was so poignant and vulnerable and inspiring. Claire captured some of the same emotion as Mr. Durante while sounding as great as ever. And, it is almost my theme song.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Production and artwork credits / courtesies

I thank God for His only son and our savior, Jesus Christ, His grace, and my salvation.
I want to thank my lovely wife Judy for her love and support throughout our lives together.
Thanks to all the folks who contributed in many, many ways to afford me another creative release. The studios and engineers, the musicians and songwriters, the photography and art work folks, and the friends and family who continually support my music and me.

Thanks also to...
* The Claire Lynch Band, Claire Lynch, Missy Raines, and Ben Surratt.
* David and Pam Roberts, Ron and Cynthia Whitlow, Alison Brown and Garry West
* Steve Hylton and Bob Gregory
* Rockbridge Guitars, Fishman Transducers, D'Addario Strings, First Quality Musical Supplies, Gallagher Guitars, and Gibson USA

Sam Bush and Jeremy Garrett appear courtesy of Sugar Hill Records
Mark Schatz and Michael Cleveland appear courtesy of Rounder Records
Buck, Sharon, and Cheryl White appear courtesy of Skaggs Family Records
John R. Burr appears courtesy of Compass Records
Viktor Krauss appears courtesy of Narada Productions
Ross Sermons appears courtesy of Summervilla Records

Recorded at:
Treehouse Studio / Tim Carter
Rec Room Studio / Ben Surratt
Digital Underground / Scott Vestal
Hilltop Studio / Ben Surratt
Compass Studio / Ben Surratt
Sound Resources Productions / Zach Rundquist

Mixed at
Treehouse Studios / Tim Carter & Jim Hurst

Mastered at:
Studio B Mastering / Dave Harris

Photography by: Senor McGuire

Produced by Jim Hurst