Jim Quick

Artist or in person, Jim Quick is the kind of guy you genuinely want to call a friend. With the charm only a true Southerner can possess, he brings his talent to the stage with a quick-witted, knee-slapping sense of humor coupled with the clear sincerity of his love for his craft.

“As a child, I was real mischievous. Playin’ pranks and makin’ jokes; doin’ stupid stuff you do as a kid. People would laugh; the more they laughed, the more I’d act a fool! It was like applause for more, more, more. I loved being the center of attention. Still do. Add music and, well, that’s spice to the concoction! That’s how I roll.”

And “roll” he does. Quick’s been touring the Southeast US for more than 20 years, playing nearly 250+ shows per year, and has released more than 12 albums including his newest, Revival. Originally introducing their music as the Coastline Band—a band of friends who played the Carolina beach bars day in and day out—the group pushed Quick to the forefront and naturally transformed into Jim Quick & Coastline. Known for his all-out performances and deliberate, off-the-cuff wisecracks, Jim has been a gracious recipient of the Carolina Music Awards “Entertainer Of The Year Award” – nineteen times.

Those who have seen Quick perform in the flesh may wonder if the funny guy sitting at the bar wears the same suit as the artist on stage. The answer is “yes.” “When it comes to me, the person on the street and the person performing are completely the same. As an artist, I am a true, exaggerated version of myself. Magnified. Make no mistake, they are both me, just different sizes.”

Born and raised in deep Carolina, Jim Quick grew up with a kind and fun-loving family. He, along with his younger sister and childhood friends, spent countless hours loping across the grasslands. In quiet time, Jim enjoyed visits with his grandfather, a Veteran of World War II, who shared front-porch-sittin’ and lemonade sippin’ while Sgt. Loyd Merle Quick shared tales of the battle and helped little Jim conquer a debilitating stutter—a budding singer’s worst enemy.

“I grew up between the swamplands and the sand-hills of Southeastern North Carolina. I played a lot in the Gum Swamp area, my yard, and nearby fields. I didn’t have a whole lot of friends in such a sparse, rural area, so I spent most of my time with my imaginary friends. I was a true Son of the South, exploring the land on my bicycle or on foot, pretending I was one of Mark Twain’s characters or a chunky, little descendant of Lewis and Clark.”

When he wasn’t surveying the lands, Jim discovered his love for music in the confines of his bedroom, sitting in front of his Sears & Roebuck stereo with Radio Shack headphones atop his head. Playing the role of both DJ and performer, young Jim would introduce himself before the next song, with which he’d appropriately sing along. His playful dress rehearsal wasn’t in vain. At 14, he secured a job as a radio DJ for a small, local AM station giving him the platform he needed to learn about the entertainment business and create the stage character for which he’s known.

“Working at the station was a real blessing. It was a 500-watt, so really, really small, but it provided me a way to learn about a variety of music genres and what went on behind the scenes. It really gave me that extra push I’d needed to finally start making my own music. Now look at me: I’m nearly a dozen albums in and still goin’ strong!”