APPLAUSE / REVIEWS

�Jim Cole�s music is acoustic, warm, and captivating. It is pure and simple, but very poignant. I think you�ll really like Jim. He is a modern-day troubadour with the heart of a poet. He is a highly skilled, honest artist.�

Bill Gaither

�What a blessing we received from Jim Cole in our concert series. Jim had the ability to put each of us in a one-on-one relationship with him for that two-hour time frame. I can truly say that I�ve never been more blessed and pleased in a worship concert held at Biltmore Baptist Church. Jim was so easy to work with and the evidence of his spiritual walk truly blessed everyone in attendance.�

Carl B. Setterlind, III
Minister of Music
Biltmore Baptist Church
Asheville, NC

�Jim Cole is one of the finest musical talents in contemporary Christian music today. His music moves beyond the superficial to explore the depths of keeping faith in a faithless world. His masterful skill on the guitar, his smooth vocal style, and the fact that his lyrics speak of important matters make it possible to enjoy his music over and over again.�

Craig Williams
Pastor
Trabuco Presbyterian Church
Trabuco Canyon, CA

�Jim Cole is a very gifted, humorous, down-to-earth musician. He is a man with a willing, open and flexible heart. His musical prowess on the guitar is hard to match, too. I strongly recommend Jim Cole for Christian and crossover audiences. He is a man after God�s heart with a desire to reach lost souls. He is a tremendous value for your investment."

Michael J. Minich
State Director
Minnesota Fellowship
of Christian Athletes
Richfield, MN

�Jim Cole is truly a blessing to our fellowship. His sensitivity to the Lord�s leading is most evident. His words and music splendidly came together to draw us into the presence of God. Jim has an open invitation to come back anytime. I would without hesitation recommend his ministry to any church body.�

Tony Logan
Worship Leader
Calvary Chapel
Chino Valley, CA

"Once in awhile, a musician comes along whose songs not only capture the heart but challenge the soul. Jim Cole is such a musician. With an honesty that belies the perceived glory of the celebrated life of a recording artist, Jim looks at life with a willingness to speak the truth. His music reflects not only the joy he has found in Christ, but also the pain that can be experienced when living out the faith in a darkened world. His music runs the gamut from �Railroad Bill� to �Hymn for Darfur��from belly laughs to agonizing reality�from total amusement to total conviction. We would do well to listen, laugh, cry, and then face up to his challenge of discipleship."

David Zuchelli
Pastor
Smith Chapel, UMC
Great Falls, Virginia

REVIEWS
Christian Musician May 2004
 "Learning and Unlearning"
 
 "Armed with a new producer, a refined sound and a new perspective on how his art should reflect a life lived under the gaze of Christ, Jim Cole releases his first new music in many a moon with Learning and Unlearning a lovely folk-inflected record that revels in simplicity yet communicates in a relevant and deeply affecting manner. Amidst a bed of acoustic instrumentation, Cole achieves his most personal statement ever. While not totally abandoning songs that are more church directed, Cole writes lyrics with an eye focused on life's joys, pitfalls and mundane moments seen from a faith-based perspective. Songs such as �Taunia Lea�, �Road Song� �Missing Part� �Stained Glass Window� and �Learning and Unlearning� go deep into the recesses of human existence, relating a balanced view of a believer's journey from broken-ness to redemption. A nice version of the Curtis Mayfield classic �People Get Ready� displays a here-to-fore unheard soulful side to Cole's easy vocal style, likely to diminish (thankfully) the endless references to James Taylor that have plagued him throughout his career. Producer Ed Cash has assembled an accomplished cast of musicians who provide an empathetic backing that steer Cole's compositions toward a wonderfully realized amalgam of folk and Americana. Garret Buell (Caedmon's Call), Ben Shive (Andrew Peterson) and Byron House (Julie & Buddy Miller) contribute sublime moments that push Learning and Unlearning dimensions past conventional folk-pop records. Far removed from the rather market-driven pop sound and one dimensional focus of his past recordings, Learning and Unlearning finds Jim Cole an artist with much to say and a delightfully engaging way to say it."

Jim Cole’s ability to take a principle and weave its biblical truth into our present lives is a rare talent. He is an incredibly gifted musician and producer, yet he models a gentle spirit of humility. Jim has a unique (and all too scarce) blend of musical and lyrical talent, rolled into a servant’s heart.”

Mike Bingham
WRMB-FM Moody Broadcasting
Boynton Beach, FL


Jim Cole is an incredibly talented man, but what impresses me is how very easy it is to see his heart in his songs and the joy of the Lord in his speech. He is a great example for Christianity because for Jim, being a Christian is fun. He is very refreshing as a musician, performer, and follower of Christ.”

Julia Hollars
Producer, ACTS/Family Network
Fort Worth, TX


This is polished, finely tuned and crafted acoustic music. It is music for the soul that calms and soothes.”

Christian Research Report


Jim Cole is a favorite of our listeners. I think they sense his ‘realness’…. He has been where they are. His ministry arises out of real life, and it shows. He is a gifted musician, and the impact he has on our listeners in a live setting is remarkable."

Jim Marshall
General Manager, WHMK
Columbia, SC


Jim Cole is a gifted artist. He has a desire to edify the body of Christ and he also knows how to have fun. He easily brings this to the audience with clear lyrics and a Christ-centered attitude about what he is doing.”

Edna Edwards
General Manager, WMIT
Black Mountain, NC


The title track of his debut album tells us what Jim Cole is all about. Reminiscing about stories his grandmother told him, looking back at his own turbulent youth in the sixties and pondering relationships today, Jim points to each generation’s need for the Father. A fine singer-songwriter.”

Inside Music