Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Jim started "formal" training on the drums at age eight with drum great Tony DeNicola, of Harry James, Charley Ventura fame. This, after years of tapping on everything in the house, according to his mother, Grace.  Jim would spend the next twelve years with Tony being schooled in all styles of the drum set, some timpani and vibes.

Very early experience, at age twelve, included playing a season with the Trenton Junior Symphony on drum set and timpani. Later teen years saw his involvement in summer theater playing in the pit orchestra for numerous Broadway shows.

Always a love for Jazz, many late nights were spent in Jazz clubs and jams meeting and playing with these great musicians, "a great experience".  This lead to a steady stream of gigs with some of the Trenton areas finest musicians including Paul Austin, John Ellis, Charley Naylor, Al Re, and Vince Iorio to name a few, and sharing the stage with the incredible talents of Richie Cole, Gerald Price and Jay Corea.

Early on, Jim participated in a workshop for "Austin Associates", conducted by famous arranger Frank Hunter, this led to his being offered a position with the reforming " Jersey Pops Jazz Symphony", to fill the drum chair once held by the great Jim Chapin. Jim was aslo called for the "odd" gig of backing comedian Rip Taylor for three weeks of shows.

A change came and Jim found himself deep in the Country Rock scene, great bands and shows followed playing the stages from Atlantic City to Las Vegas and points in between, and opening shows for Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn and traditionalists Kitty Wells, Tillman Franks and David Houston.