Brother Jimmy Nalls
Our dear friend, Jimmy Nalls, has been an inspiration for us
for years now. He is a world class guitarist with credits including gigs with
the NightHawks, T. Graham Brown, Alex Taylor, Dr. John, Gregg Allman, Noel Paul
Stookey, B.J. Thomas and many others.
Jimmy Nalls was a founding member of the legendary band Sea Level, along with
piano player Chuck Leavell (currently with the Rolling Stones). This band was
formed when the Allman Brothers broke up in 1977 and Sea Level went on to become
one of the mainstays of Macon, Georgia based Capricorn Records. They recorded
6 albums of original compositions and Jimmy’s influence was obvious from
the very first note. Known as somewhat of a fusion/southern rock band, Sea Level
incorporated advanced chord changes and harmonic twists into the blues based
foundation of southern rock and created an innovative and unique sound that
still stands the test of time when heard now, some 25 years later.
As a studio guitarist, Jimmy was in great demand in Macon back through the 1980’s,
recording with Gregg Allman, Bonnie Bramlett and many others before moving to
Nashville in the early 1990’s. Word got out that Jimmy had moved to Guitar
Town and he was soon right in the thick of things again, working with country
greats like Bill Anderson , B.J. Thomas and T. Graham Brown. It was around this
time that Jimmy got the call from harmonica great, Mark Wenner, to come and
join the NightHawks, a killer blues band based in Washington DC. Along with
former Wet Willie singer, Jimmy Hall, Jimmy Nalls helped revitalize the Hawks,
who are still out and rockin’ today.
Eventually the Hawks grueling schedule lead Jimmy to opt to stay closer to home
with his wife Minni and kids, Jennifer and Buddy. He still plays with the Hawks
when they are around Nashville and sat in with them just recently in Spring
Hill, TN. Of course when word got out that Jimmy had left the Hawks, his phone
started ringing again and he was pretty quickly holding down the guitar parts
for T. Graham Brown, the amazingly soulful country singer from Nashville.
Along about this time, Jimmy noticed the first symptoms of what would soon be
diagnosed as Parkinson’s Disease. Unfortunately, the disease got progressively
worse and forced Jimmy to leave the road for good and stay closer to home and
his doctors in Nashville. Focusing on songwriting and studio work, Jimmy made
his own solo CD, called No Stranger To The Blues. Critically acclaimed, the
CD received airplay all over the US and on radio stations as far away as Australia.
Jimmy wrote or co-wrote almost everything on the record and his guitar playing
was as tasty and in the pocket as ever. He still had the chops and the fire
but he personally could tell that his talents were being diminished by the disease.
He underwent a radical new treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. Two tiny
transmitters were installed into his brain to help stop the tremors associated
with the disease. The procedure has been successful and Jimmy has once again
become an inspiration for others, as he reaches out to other people suffering
with the disease.
It's been a long and difficult road since first being diagnosed with Parkinson’s,
over 10 years ago. There has been a myriad of symptoms and it's only through
Jimmy’s sheer will to persevere that he has been able to continue battling
this terrible disease. After a recent neck surgery, he has rallied back and
is now working in his studio almost everyday, writing and recording new material
for himself and some close friends. His optimism is contagious and he is truly
an inspiration to friends and acquaintances around the world. His musical mind
has never missed a beat, even when he has been unable to physically play the
ideas he hears in his head.
Over the years, some of Jimmy’s friends have organized Benefit Concerts
on his behalf to help defray medical bills and to provide emotional support
for Brother Jimmy. These concerts in Nahville have included people like Bonnie
Bramlett, Lee Roy Parnell, Delbert McClinton, Jack Pearson, Gary Nicholson,
The NightHawks, T. Graham Brown, Jimmy Hall, Noel Paul Stookey, Jim Mason, Eddie
Mottau, Bekka Bramlett, Chuck Leavell, Mike Henderson, Kevin McKendree, Dave
Duncan, Dave Pomeroy, Buddy Greene, Charlie Hayward, Matt Chambers and Brenda
Broadstreet, Phil Dillon, Michael Rhodes, Noel Roy and many others. These gigs
have been an especially powerful healing time for Jimmy as so many of his friends
are able to express their love and support for him and his family.
Donations have come from far and wide and thanks to Jimmy’s extended family
of musicians and friends, he’s doing better everyday and the Nalls Family
is getting through this most difficult time.
Donations and well wishes can be sent to the contact below. His CD can be purchased
here also ($20).
Thank You !
Jimmy Nalls Recovery Fund
2116 15th Ave. S.
Nashville,TN 37212