Jim Terr (pronounced as in “termite”), American satirist, singer/songwriter, actor/director and video and documentary producer, born in Valley Stream (Long Island), New York, USA. Ironically born on same day and date as fellow actor/satirist Christopher Guest, fellow documentarian Errol Morris (and within 15 miles of their birth places), and actress Barbara Hershey. He was raised in New Mexico and lived there most of his life. .

FILM / VIDEO

Terr’s short videos on YouTube have totaled over 1.7 million views to date , with an unusual profile in that they comprise almost every genre from serious country to comedy to political satire to documentary. His full-length, foundation-funded documentaries on the topics of World War Two veteran interviews (including author Tony Hillerman) and Holocaust survivors, as well as driving safety, manufacturing, and reading for pleasure, have gained national recognition.

A documentary in progress exploring local radio news features interviews with network news executives, reporters and such public figures as NPR host Scott Simon, FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, humorist Dave Barry, Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter, Atlantic Monthly senior editor James Fallows, Hodding Carter, author and radio host Thom Hartmann, radio host Jim Bohannon, radio commentator Charles Osgood, and National Association of Broadcasters president David Rehr. Several of these, plus Philip Proctor of the Firesign Theatre, and radio host Mike Malloy, participate in other documentary projects.

He and his original song about country singer George Jones were featured in the 1988 film, And God Created Woman , starring Rebecca De Mornay and directed by Roger Vadim.

MUSIC

As a record producer, he has been closely associated with “outlaw” country singer/songwriter Steve Young, writer of the song, “Seven Bridges Road”, recorded by The Eagles, Joan Baez, Dolly Parton, Rita Coolidge and others, and "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" recorded by Waylon Jennings;  Kathy Chiavola, Junior Brown (as “J. B. Brown”, singer / guitarist with The Last Mile Ramblers in the 1970s); and actor Slim Pickens, for whom he produced an album which Rolling Stone Magazine called “The off-the-wall album of the year.”

That album, released under Terr’s Blue Canyon label, contained a version of the classic song, “Desperados Waiting for a Train,” which writer Guy Clark called his favorite version of the song, and which was later featured on a Rhino Records compilation. The album also contained two songs written by Kinky Friedman, and one of the first recorded compositions by Steve Earle. Also among earlierst producer of songs by Butch Hancock and David Halley.

His 1974 re-release of Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road” album, purchased from Reprise Records, gained sales and critical acclaim sufficient to mark the last time Warner/Reprise ever sold the rights to an album outright.

Many of Terr’s early satires in the 1980s were featured on the  Doctor Demento national radio program, later on such programs as Paul Harvey News, G. Gordon Liddy, Mountain Stage, and the ABC, CBS, NBC and NPR networks; and later (to present) on the Thom Hartmann and Jim Bohannon radio shows. His 1994 novelty album, Chickenstock, a Jewish parody of Woodstock, won some national acclaim.

He has worked closely with Tommy Hancock, Charlene Hancock, The Supernatural Family Band and Tejana Dames.

His CD releases of original material in 1999 and 2005 drew reviewer comparisons to Phil Ochs, Townes van Zandt, Loudon Wainwright III, Tom T. Hall, Tom Lehrer, Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Jimmie Rodgers and Jackie Mason, Shel Silverstein, Tom T. Hall, Bobby Bare, Ray Stevens and Paul Craft. He is a particular fan of the songwriters Tom T. Hall and Bobby Braddock, having recorded several of their songs on earlier albums.

His alter-ego, crude country performer “BuDDy”, has been captured in several videos, and praised by such figures as humorist Dave Barry.  

As a music publisher in the 1970s, Terr published songs recorded by The Country Gentlemen, Hank Williams, Jr., and Crystal Gayle.

Website: www.JimTerr.com

***  You probably don’t think of Jim Terr when it comes to songwriting, but after hearing this interview conducted by Diego Mulligan a short time ago, I’m thinking that way.  Jim may not have the best voice (though it fits well on his more humorous tunes), but he is one hell of a tunesmith.  He leans toward Country— that born between Country & Western and Modern Country— and puts together songs in the manner of, say, Tom T. Hall and Bob McDill— those of a storytelling variety.  Terr, for those who don’t know, owns  Blue Canyon Productions and has worked with Junior Brown,Steve Young and Slim Pickens (bet you didn’t know ol’ Slim recorded, did you?).  Terr played a special part in the life of Steve Young, having re-released Young’s Seven Bridges Road album, originally released on Reprise Records (to read a Cliff’s Notes version of that involvement, click here).  To fill you in a bit on Terr’s songwriting skills and as a tribute to Diego Mulligan, who evidently passed away just shortly after this interview happened, Terr has made an mp3 of the interview available online.  Songwriters, you might want to listen to this. -Music blogger Frank C. Gutch Jr.

From THIS PAGE which has a few of these interviews

Comments on 2005 CD, Jim Terr & friends,
"Please Cut My Song, Mr. Travis"

"Combining comedy with tragedy, optimism with hopelessness and prolific wit with his favorite three chords, Jim Terr's songs are triumphant anthems to this difficult business of living. He shares equal territory with the folksy politicism of Phil Ochs, the sheer songwriting skill of Townes van Zandt, and the shamelessly naive sense of ironic humor ofLoudon Wainwright III."
   -Bill Hutchison, Anthologist's Cabinet

"Jim Terr's spirit shows through consistently in his songs... It's the droll, sardonic,
'cut-the-B.S.' outlook known around the world as American." -James Fallows