Jim Varsos (1952 – October 5, 2021), known by the stage name Hobo Jim, was an Alaskan folk singer-songwriter. He was one of the most popular guitar players in Alaska,[1] playing frequently at small venues across the state.[2] In 1994, Hobo Jim was named Alaska's official balladeer.[3][4][5]
Hobo Jim | |
---|---|
![]() Hobo Jim performing at the 2020 Iditarod mushers banquet in Anchorage, Alaska | |
Born | 1952 |
Died | October 5, 2021 (aged 69) |
Other names | Jim Varsos |
Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
Early life and career
editVarsos was born in Indiana in 1952, one of four children of Milton M. Varsos (1922–2013) and his wife Mary Ann (née Culbertson).[6][7][8] His father was of Greek descent, and his family celebrated a number of Greek traditions.[9] Varsos was raised in Madison, Wisconsin, where he began playing the guitar at the age of 12.[10] He hitchhiked to Nashville after some time in college, hoping to make it as a country musician.[10] After spending time hitchhiking and freight riding around the United States, he moved to Alaska in 1972.[10][11] He settled in the state, making his home in Soldotna.[12]
Varsos's songs are primarily regional and occupational songs, focusing on Alaska's commercial fishermen, loggers, and miners.[10] Perhaps the best known of these songs, "Iditarod Trail Song", commemorates the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.[11]
Varsos lived part-time in Nashville, where he worked with publisher Pat Higdon, singer Russell Smith, and writer Rory Bourke, among others.[10][11][13] His song "The Rock", which he co-wrote with Smith, has been recorded by Etta James and George Jones;[14][15] he also co-wrote the Janis Ian song "Empty".[16]
Personal life and death
editVarsos was a collector of Alaska Native artifacts.[17]
In 2018, Varsos received an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.[18]
On September 18, 2021, Varsos announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.[11][19] He died in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 5, 2021.[20][12]
Discography
edit- Thunderfoot (1982)
- Lost and Dyin' Breed (1985)
- Where Legends Are Born (1986)
- Collection (1994)
- Wilderness Way (1996)
- Woodsmoke (2004)
- My Wild and Wolfen Ways (2015)
References
edit- ^ "Hobo Jim is back". Anchorage Daily News. August 17, 1986.
- ^ Peter Jenkins (2002). Looking for Alaska. Macmillan. p. 377. ISBN 978-0-312-30289-4.
- ^ Tunseth, Matt (March 24, 2010). "Hobo Jim homeless again — Musician bids BJ's Lounge goodbye after 25 years". Redoubt Reporter. Soldotna, Alaska. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Thornburgh, Nathan (August 30, 2008). "Where Palin made her name". Time. Archived from the original on August 31, 2008.
- ^ "Flying Lions bring Hobo Jim to town". Juneau Empire. February 5, 2012. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012.
- ^ Alden, Grant. "Hobo Jim". In MusicHound folk: the essential album guide. Visible Ink (1998). ISBN 9781578590377.
- ^ "Copyright registration: The Iditarod Trail Song". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Milton Varsos obituary http://funeralinnovations.com/obituaries/view/119176/2
- ^ Varsos, Jim (April 12, 2020). "Happy Easter Folks..." Facebook. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Delaney, Kelly (September 1, 1989). "Hobo Jim Honors Loggers With Song". American Songwriter.
- ^ a b c d Hughes, Zachariah (September 21, 2021). "Alaska balladeer Hobo Jim shares diagnosis of terminal cancer". Anchorage Daily News.
- ^ a b Williams, Tess (October 6, 2021). "Hobo Jim, Alaska's balladeer, dies weeks after announcing terminal cancer diagnosis". Anchorage Daily News.
- ^ Epler, Patti (September 2012). "40 Years of Song". Alaska. Vol. 78, no. 7. p. 23 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Love's Been Rough on Me". Allmusic.com. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ "The Rock". Allmusic.com. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ "Hunger". Janisian.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Foster, David (July 30, 1985). "Scholars race with Eskimos for artifacts". Schenectady Gazette. Associated Press. p. 32.
- ^ Granger, Erin UAF to award honorary doctorate degrees, Meritorious Award at graduation Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, April 23, 2018
- ^ Poux Sabine, Hobo Jim reflects on career KDLL news via KBBI, SEP 27, 2021
- ^ Moore, Anthony, Alaska’s Official Balladeer, Hobo Jim, Passes Away KSRM, October 6, 2021