Jim Heffernan

Jim Heffernan (or Jimmy) is a highly respected Nashville session player, sideman and producer. He's a versatile mult-instrumentalist- one of the true masters of the resonator guitar. Jimmy also happens to be an outstanding music instructor who loves to teach with a real gift for it.
Jim’s latest recording project was the 2003 release, The Resocasters, features the collaboration with Dobro® legend Mike Auldridge. "I would not be playing this "poverty box" if not for Mike," says Jim. Also featured is pedal steel guitar ace Hal Rugg.
In 1980 Jim joined Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, again as Dobro® player. He toured with Sparks for two years, helping record two albums for Rebel Records and two more for Old Homestead Records.
Over the next six years Jim played with Red Allen and Bill Grant and Dehlia Bell and started learning to play the pedal steel guitar (In bars, where it was meant to be played).
In 1988 Jimmy played electric guitar for Doug Kershaw for a year, and then joined Joe Diffie’s band, where he stayed 9 years touring every major venue and appeared as a members of the Grand Ole Opry. Appearances including The Grand Ole Opry Live, Regis and Kathy Lee, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and Hee Haw, to name but a few. Joe sold over eight million records during this time.
Upon leaving Joe Diffie’s employment, Jim stayed in Nashville, producing albums and working with new artists before finally joining Brad Paisley’s band in 1999.
Jimmy says, ”I toured with Brad for two years as well as played Dobro® on Brad’s second ARISTA album, "Part Two". On this platinum record I had an opportunity to play on a track called "Too Country", which featured performances by George Jones, Buck Owens, and Bill Anderson. Another track "Munster Rag', was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Country Instrumental in 2001.
Since leaving Brad Paisley’s band, Jim has been busy playing with Mark Cosgrove (The Jerry Douglas Band) and producing records for new artists (guys that don't have record deals), including Michael Mason who’s song, "Cape Lonely", reached #32 on the country charts and Sony recording artist Buddy Jewell- first winner of the popular TV series, Nashville Star.