Old Man Jim’s MusicWorks

James Smyle

Bluegrass, Americana, Progressive Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin, Singer/Songwriter

IBMA Member #25542 (International Bluegrass Music Association)

What’s Happening

Recordings, Tips & Lessons

All the digital do-whop available via links below:

Original Music

Cover Tunes

Stream Old Man Jim's MusicWorks on Soundcloud

Lessons & Quick Tips (coming soon)

Hosted Open Jams

  • Berryville Barns Acoustic Open Jam (Barns of Rose Hill) is held each 3rd Thursday from 5pm - 8pm on the second floor, elevator available.

    Street Address is 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville, VA 22611. Email me for additional information.

  • Chilly Hollow Brewing Company in Berryville will begin its’ Acoustic Open Jam series Thursday April 10, 2025, from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Jams will be held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month - drop me an email to be added for group reminders and notifications.

    Street Address is 669 Chilly Hollow Road, Berryville, VA 22611.

Out & About in August 2025 - you’ll likely find me:

  • 08/07/25 Homestead Bluegrass on the Lawn

  • 08/08/25 Notaviva Bluegrass Jam

  • 08/10/25 Old Time Jam at Escutcheon Brew.

  • 08/13/25 The Grey Foxes - Lake Frederick

  • 08/14/25 Chilly Hollow Brewing Open Jam

  • 08/17/25 Bluegrass in the Park (Berryville)

  • 08/17/25 Kings Tavern Open Jam - Leesburg

  • 08/21/25 Open Jam at the Barns of Rose Hill

  • 08/22/25 Notaviva Bluegrass Jam

  • 08/24/25 Bluegrass in the Park (Berryville)

  • 08/27/25 The Grey Foxes - Lake Frederick

  • 08/28/25 Chilly Hollow Brewing Open Jam

Lil’ Bit o’ Bio

James (Old Man Jim) is a lifelong musician with an early background in piano, brass wind instruments, and percussion before moving into guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, dobro, fiddle, and Native American flute for the last several decades.

James has been a player & singer with many bands in both the Santa Clara, CA and Mid Atlantic areas including Dead Poets, Waiting for Jon, The Plum Island Pickers, Horse Feathers, The Grass Stained Hippies, Blue Leaf Collective, and is currently playing guitar and yowlin’ vocals with Bluegrass & Americana band Smalltown Station (smalltownstationmusic@gmail.com) based out of Northern Virginia, and singing / playing lead guitar with The Grey Foxes.

A big fan of clear and precise flatpicking, clean and quick runs along with slower and equally intentional leads and licks are our specialty.

Check out our music on SoundCloud for samples of originals and covers / overdubs.

See our Course page for guitar and mandolin e-lessons, or reach out to arrange a one on one session.