This year the Illinois State Historical Society presented Jim with the first Artistic Achievement Award . It was in recognition of the contribution to the promotion of the State of Illinois through artistic means. This elfin troubador, in whom are married Irish tenor, revival sermonist, and hillbilly bluesman a la Jimmie Rogers, works upon his audience like a preacher, and is able to control the energy in the room without lapse for the entire duration of the performance. As a singer he'll bowl you over. His songs and monologs, whether serious or witty, fell as natural on the ear as everyday conversation.
Talent is a miracle.
It just seems to happen, like a benevolent tornado. It touches down, swirls around an individual, moves on, here and there, ready to light again at any moment. But it's rare. And those whom it touches are the truly blessed. Oh, sure, there are exceptions, people destroyed by their talent but even then the rest of mankind often benefits from it, from what destroyed the person who possessed it.