Arnold, Jimmy

JIMMY ARNOLD

  • From Fries, Virginia.
  • A gifted multi-instumentalist (guitar, banjo, fiddle).
  • Bluegrass Unlimited magazine called him “Don Reno, Bill Keith and Earl Scruggs rolled into one.”
  • Age 12, formed a band called the “Twin County Partners.”
  • Age 15, won the fiddle contest at the Galax Old Time Fiddler’s Convention.
  • Age 17, formed a band with Wes Golding called “The Virginia Cutups.”
  • Age 19, joined Cliff Waldron’s “New Shades of Grass.”
  • 1973, was a member of “The Country Store” a group that also included Jimmy Gaudreau and Keith Whitley.
  • 1974, recorded “Strictly Arnold” album (Rebel).
  • 1977, recorded “Jimmy Arnold Guitar” album (Rebel)
  • 1982, released “Rainbow Ride” album (Rebel).
  • 1983, recorded “Southern Soul” album (Rebel).
  • Had recurring health and legal problems due to alcohol and drug abuse. Retired from music in in the 1980’s and opened a tattoo parlor in North Carolina.
  • 1992, died of heart failure on Christmas Day at the age of 40.