Inimitable, Jim Cole�s
subtly-textured songs and finger-style guitar playing evoke an
outpouring of emotions as he touches our hearts with his music. His
lyrics ply into the darkest and brightest corners of our lives with
honesty and grace. Cole willingly explores the ineffable presence of God
in his own life, and challenges us to do the same.
The most recent example of his continued success as a recording artist,
is his eighth recording project, a Christmas album entitled, Unto Us
A Child Is Born. It entered the Billboard Charts at number 19 and
peaked at number 15. Additionally, his previous seven recordings have
garnered six top-three radio singles.
Over the past twenty-five years, Cole has performed before thousands,
not only in the United States, but also internationally. England,
Scotland, Ireland, Italy, France, Lithuania, and Taiwan are but a few of
the countries included in his international travels. While in Klaipeda,
Lithuania, Jim was the Artist-In-Residence at Lithuania Christian
College, where he taught songwriting and guitar performance to students
from all over Eastern Europe.
Jim�s stage performances have been augmented by a great relationship
with DirecTV. He has performed on Amy Grant�s and Darrell Waltrip�s
Easter and Christmas Specials. He provided the music sound track for
Joan Lunden�s DirecTV series, Hometown Heroes. This is an
inspirational program featuring stories of the unsung heroes of everyday
life, whose acts of courage, kindness, and bravery have made a profound
impact in their communities.
Carnegie Hall at Christmas is also a highlight of Jim�s past tour
schedule. For four years in a row, he has performed as a guest of his
good friend, Tim Janis.
In addition to Cole�s work as a recording artist, there are a few causes
he feels strongly about, and supports. The ongoing relief effort in the
Darfur region of the Sudan is one of those causes. Working with the
United Methodist Counsel on Relief (UMCOR), Jim has donated the proceeds
from his, The Acoustic Hymns Project, toward that endeavor.
Over a period of the past five years, Cole has become active as a
spiritual advisor for death row inmates. In a recent interview, when
asked why he does this, Jim responded, �For me, visiting with inmates
in prison is the closest thing I know to visiting with Christ Himself.�
Twenty-five years after he began, Jim Cole continues to write and record
music as he shares the joys and sorrows, inspiration and wisdom, which
only comes through the grace of God. |
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