Jim Crawford – Master of Blues Guitar and Storytelling

Saturday 19th April

Music 5.30pm – 7pm, Bar open until 9pm

Food options available:

  • Roast Pork floured baps with apple sauce
  • Falafel & hummus floured baps with sweet chilli
  • Homemade cakes

Originally from Lancashire and now based in Appledore, North Devon, Jim Crawford has earned recognition on both the national and international blues scenes. Despite his reserved nature, he has toured extensively across Europe and the USA, captivating audiences with his soulful barrelhouse blues vocals and masterful guitar work.

Jim first gained wider attention when he was invited to record a session for the BBC’s Paul Jones Show. Over the years, he has shared the stage with acclaimed musicians such as Tom Doughty, Sean Genockey, Kevin Brown, Ian Briggs, Steve Payne, Ben Andrews, Wizz Jones, and Mike Dowling. Revered among professional musicians, he is known as a consummate fingerstyle and slide guitarist with a voice that carries warmth and authenticity.

Though he often jokes that he’d rather be fishing with his dog than performing live, Jim’s passion for the blues has taken him across the world. His music pays homage to blues legends like Sam Hopkins and Huddie Ledbetter while showcasing his own original compositions.

Among his best-known songs is When the Rains Came, the title track of his 2002 album. The song gained wider recognition when singer Beth Rowley first covered it on her self-titled EP in 2004 and later re-recorded it for her 2008 debut album Little Dreamer. With its timeless folk-blues feel, When the Rains Came sounds as if it could have been plucked from the Appalachian Mountains, yet it was crafted in North Devon by a self-effacing songwriter with a deep love for blues, gospel, and folk traditions. Rowley’s version, produced by Jonathon Quarmby and featuring rich harmonies and soulful instrumentation, introduced Jim’s songwriting to a broader audience, earning the track a place in contemporary folk-blues history.

A regular performer at venues across the South West, Jim is a familiar face at The Champ in Appledore where he runs a weekly blues night. With his dexterous fretwork, heartfelt songwriting, and engaging stage presence, he continues to enchant audiences, proving that true blues music is alive and well.