Article from Vents Magazine:

 

We caught up with Jim Waneka this week as he works on new material for his upcoming album. Splitting time between recording in Los Angeles and his home of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Jim is working with some of the top producers and studio musicians in the business including Charles Holloman, Kelvin Holly, James LeBlanc, and Grammy winner Craig Alvin. Jim is best known for his incredible music videos, and he has a new song called “I Want To Quit” that is resonating with audiences around the country as it gathers momentum on country radio stations. 

View the article on the Vents Magazine website

Jim Waneka's "I Want To Quit" Is A Springsteen-like, 70's Rocker

Confronting Frustrations That Make Us ‘Want to Get on My Bike and Ride’

 

Release: March 11, 2022 

Muscle Shoals, AL - The emotive, soaring rocker “I Want to Quit” from Jim Waneka directly taps into the fear, anger, and frustrations so many of us face today. But this song’s character does more than just stew about it, he jumps on his motorcycle and blasts through the countryside until he regains himself. Dropped today, the song link is https://ffm.to/iwanttoquit and the video link is https://youtu.be/Bvbhkqmv7S0

Waneka continues to stretch Country-Americana musical style boundaries by channeling Bruce Springsteen-like emotive truths and life lessons in this multi-tempo rocker. Starting with Jim’s acoustic guitar intro that slowly builds with accompanying B3 organ, an electric guitar signals the pulse-pounding crescendos, briefly falls back to earth with virtuoso instrumental interludes, only to launch another driving, upward climax. The prolonged close is another extended instrumental foray, evoking 70s-era groundbreaking jams.

Jim said of this new song, “We all face times when nothing is going right, feeling like you just want to quit and get to a different place. I felt that a few months ago but thankfully was able to channel that energy into a song, showing we can overcome the negativity, fear and anger that can lead us to bad decisions. Ride it out, get to a good place so you can think clearly, and above all don’t give up!” The song’s lyrics tell the story, and the changing tempo sets the feeling for our protagonist’s journey of rediscovery, an explosive motorcycle ride that cuts away his fears and anger. As he once again finds himself, the calming tempo and final instrumental jam signal the all-clear.

 

Scott Reed, Publicist
Jim Waneka Music, Persimmon Road Productions
16194 Ezell Road, Athens, Alabama, 35611
United States
(303-898-2477)

ReedSM2019@gmail.com 

The best music videos put us right there in the shot with whatever we’re looking at on-screen, which is precisely what Jim Waneka does with the visual component to his new single “I’m Coming Home.” Rather than going with the stripped-down look some of his rivals in the underground have been experimenting with in recent times, Waneka is putting us in the passenger seat for a venture into the country that feels homespun and romantic. There’s something very natural about his presence in this video and how it relates to the story he’s telling in the song, and for country fans like me, his energy is what makes this genre so exciting, to begin with. 

Waneka’s understated vocal inarguably makes the words that he sings a little more intimate and personal than they would have with something just a bit stronger, and I like that he isn’t afraid to use his tone as a means of cultivating a mood in this track. 

Read the full article 

Country singer-songwriter Jim Waneka released the music video, “Two Angels,” not long ago. It’s a song about the angels we meet in life, angels disguised as human beings.

With his rich baritone voice, Jim conjures up suggestions of Johnny Cash, while his songwriting recalls Buddy Miller, poignant and expressive.

It all began two years ago when Jim heard music calling his name once again. He had set it aside years ago to provide for his family. Now, writing his own music, and recording in L.A., Nashville, and Muscle Shoals with the crème de la crème of musicians, Jim is dazzling listeners with his deluxe voice.

“And it’s the glory, I now see / It’s their shields, that set me free / The crack of thunder, whimpered when they played / Two angels came for me, two angels I’m free.”

The video displays Jim’s aura and plush voice as he and his band perform at The Viper Room. “Two Angels” is a grand song, at once stirring and buoyant.

Read the full article 

Singer/Songwriter Jim Waneka Releases “Two Angels”

A lot of outsider influence has been penetrating a typically insular American country music underground in the past couple of years, but that isn’t stopping the likes of Mr. Jim Waneka from giving up an old guard melody like no one else can this December in the form of his new single/video combo “Two Angels.” Where everyone else is trying to experiment with the parameters of the traditional country music aesthetic, Waneka is a player undeniably committed to keeping the integrities of the past alive and well-guarded in the 21st century. “Two Angels” is a celebration of history, and moreover, the next chapter he plans to command over. 

Read the full review 

Website MusicExistence.com recently reviewed Jim Waneka's song, "Two Angels"

From the city streets to the backwoods country roads a lot of us grew up cruising, the harmonies Jim Waneka is cutting up in his new single “Two Angels” are likely to resonate very well with the country music faithful this year, especially given how rough 2021 has been on the genre and some of its biggest stars. Despite a relative lull in excitement from the top tier in Nashville, the underground is producing like nobody’s business this fall, starting with personalities like the homespun Jim Waneka. He’s the real article, and that comes off quite clearly in a song like “Two Angels.”

Read the full review 

Jim Waneka’s First Release “I Ride Alone” gets GRAMMY® Award Initial Nod

Song is on First Round Ballot for “Best Country Solo Performance”

 New Country and Americana music artist Jim Waneka’s first song release, “I Ride Alone” is on the first-round ballot for the GRAMMY Awards®. “I Ride Alone” https://ffm.to/iridealone has been entered in the category “Best Country Solo Performance.”

This smoking-hot, danceable rocker might surprise with profound lyrics dealing with one of life’s eternal challenges. In “I Ride Alone” we find a man struggling to find redemption from unspoken previous deeds, knowing that he must “ride alone, from my past.” The lyric, “Lord, I want to be a better man” sums up the protagonist wanderer’s desperate desire – to at last find the elusive door opening on a redemptive path and a better life. Jim said of his first song, “I enjoyed embedding meaningful lyrics in this upbeat, fun tune. I share a message that is deeply universal while balancing it with an uplifting melody and strong beat. In that way, it’s kind of like old Gospel songs that make you want to get up and dance, and the message either hits you straight on or it might later sneak in.” The compelling beat, sizzling guitar, inspiring B3 organ, and soaring vocals prove “I Ride Alone” is for everyone to enjoy, whether its valuable lesson reaches home.

Jim began performing professionally at age five when patrons at a Colorado venue took up a collection for his impromptu vocal performance. This heralded a rare natural talent that seemingly foreshadowed success, but in his mid-thirties Jim reached a crossroads: whether to continue with music or focus on raising a family and the endless demands of building his construction business. He chose the latter, locking his guitar and musical talent away. Then less than two years ago an ethereal voice came to Jim, guiding him to pick up a guitar once again and starting him on a life-changing path and rebirth of his music and commanding voice some have compared to Johnny Cash, and songs reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam, George Strait, Merle Haggard, and Garth Brooks.

Born and raised in Colorado, Jim has always been surrounded by music. Years ago, he recorded some of his first compositions in Branson, MO, and Nashville. Recently, following the powerful ethereal voice telling him to follow a musical path, Jim began recording songs in Los Angeles. At the beginning of this year, Jim started recording in legendary Muscle Shoals. Writing all his own music, Jim partnered with some of the world’s best veteran musicians at the absolute top of their craft, who have recorded and toured with everyone from the Allman Brothers to Jeff Beck to Little Richard to Elvis Costello to Usher and many others. Jim has also pulled in young local musicians, all of whom add their virtuoso talents to this forceful song that sizzles with energy, emotion, and an honesty that is deep and genuine.

Jim’s two other releases are “A Different Man,” with the song link https://ffm.to/adifferentman and video link https://youtu.be/xglX8cBus7c and “Two Angels” with the song link https://jimwaneka.com/music/ and video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB8SHQ8z6o8.

Also look for Jim’s new catchy truck driver song “I’m Coming Home” on December 3, 2021.

Article from Pop Off on Medium

Alt-country singer-songwriter Jim Waneka released the music video, “A Different Man,” not long ago, following his previous single, “I Ride Alone,” which introduced the world to his delicious, potent voice, reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.

Born and raised in Colorado, on “A Different Man,” Jim narrates the heartbreaking tale of physical and emotion damage sustained by those who protect our freedoms. Set in Afghanistan, the visuals and the music combine to form a powerful story of sacrifice. The music, performed by a dazzling band fronted by Jim, delivers an alluring alt-country melody riding a gentle rhythm. When the song ramps up, it takes on layers of brilliant gravitas.

Pop Off spoke with Jim Waneka to find out more about the person behind the music, the song’s inspiration, and how he got started in music.

What three things can’t you live without?
There are so many things I value immensely, but the top three come down to circumstance and perspective.

What inspired your new single/music video “A Different Man?”
It came to me in a very powerful dream with the melody and words all flowing through me in just a few minutes. Before I could even pick up my guitar, I knew what the song sounded like and how it would be arranged. I believe it was brought to me through the spirit of my uncle, Claude Starkey, who served as a Marine paratrooper during World War II. After landing for a reconnaissance patrol on the island of Bougainville, the Marines were overrun, and he lost his left hand during close quarter combat. The song is also about my cousin Dick, who served in Vietnam, was seriously wounded, and came home a different man.

Read the full interview on Pop Off

Article from Vents Magazine:

Compared to the likes of a young Johnny Cash, Jim Waneka’s booming rustic voice sits at the crossroads of Americana classics and country. His songs are timeless and speak to the stretches of spiritual experiences and the journey of life. With a heartfelt acoustic guitar opening transitioning to the classic twang of a country tune, “Two Angels” is uplifting and pure at its core. The music video weaves a beautiful story, following a lonely man carrying a guitar wandering the streets of Hollywood. One fateful night, he comes across two other musicians who seem like angels sent from God.

View the article on the Vents Magazine website

Jim Waneka recently released his powerful new single "A Different Man" honoring service members and to celebrate we asked him to share the inspiration behind the track. Here is the story:

A Different Man came in an early Sunday morning dream on July 19th, 2020. It was a very powerful dream with a melody and words all flowing through me in a matter of a few minutes. Without picking up my guitar I knew what the song sounded like and how it would be arranged. I believe it was brought to me through the spirit of my uncle, Claude Starkey, who served as a Marine paratrooper during World War II. He had been shot seven times prior to losing his hand while on patrol on the island of Bougainville. The song is also about my cousin Dick, who came back from Vietnam a different man.

What was interesting is that the word Afghanistan came in the dream. At first, I was wondering why Afghanistan was mentioned, but I realized this is what the spirit that delivered the song wanted. I don't like changing what the ethereal spirit delivers to me. The song is about all soldiers who have seen battle and travesties and have been changed for the rest of their lives. As the song states, "he gave it all for this country with no complaints," which I've found is a common thread among veterans.

It should humble us all that we have these patriots among us willing to sacrifice so much to keep us free and safe. Most veterans rejoin our society when they return from service, but it's upsetting to see those who cannot. Part of my message is that it's okay to ask for help. I see many of our vets try to tough it out on their own when help may be only a phone call away. It's a very emotional song so some may try to read more into it, but the only statement I choose to make with A Different Man is one of support for our veterans.

Read the full article on antiMusic