Annie Beckmann
Jim and I met in the mid-1980s when we both worked for The Herald in Everett. Over the years, we developed a profound connection that continued until he left the Northwest in 1998. He was an insightful writer whose words would flow effortlessly. When he interviewed people for his stories, he got them to share their souls. I'm lucky he was able to share some of his own soul with me. I still smile when I remember one of the proudest headlines he ever wrote: What a Friend We Have in Cheeses.There was a rare magic about Jim, not only with words, stories and talk but also with music. His depth of knowledge about music convinced me to encourage him to try to produce a radio program. Not long after, he became a DJ for KSER, independent public radio in Lynnwood, Wash. Soon he developed a vision for The Roadhouse, his popular roots radio program with blues and other types of American music, on Seattle's KCMU (today KEXP, where The Roadhouse program format still lives on). I often sat in the studio with Jim during his live broadcasts on KCMU at the University of Washington. To watch him come alive, as he played and talked about music for his listeners, was no ordinary experience. In the late '80s, Jim started to record cassette tapes of his favorite tunes for me. He once laughed and told me I would have to provide the music for his memorial when he passed away. I do hope he shared that sentiment with others as well, because I won't be in Fayetteville Friday to celebrate Jim's amazing life. Let the music play.