About Jim Etherington

Jim Etherington was born and brought up in East Yorkshire , trained as a school teacher and moved to Dorset in the late 70’s.

Music has always been his main consuming interest from an early age, starting out with classical and then traditional music from around the world, playing instruments such as mandolin, whistles, flutes, harmonica and, of course, guitar.

In his teens (when he should have been studying !) Jim was often playing in local folk clubs, sometimes warming up for (or even teaming up with) people like the Furey’s, the Matthews Brothers, Mike Harding, The Amazing Blondel, Diz Dizley, Vin Garbut, Johnny Silvo and Dave Moses (John Martin’s bass player ), and even Jasper Carrot.

He teamed up with his brother and Jack Rogers to form the Pithe & Wind Band (hence the AKA Jimmy Pithe around the Poole and Bournemouth area ) and together they played throughout Dorset with a mix of traditional Greek, South American, Irish, English and even some Russian music, but later Jim’s interest and taste in music broadened to include rock, country, blues, reggae, West Coast, and Soca .

“What is your favourite type of music” ? is a question he is frequently asked.
Invariably his reply is “anything which resonates with the people for whom I am playing “ or wtte., ie music that everybody can feel a part of, either by dancing or singing along to, and the reaction of his audiences in pubs, clubs, parties, weddings and restaurants endorses not only his selection of material but also the delivery of the music he plays.