Jimmy plays left-handed mandolins and sings songs. He is almost definitely of Irish descent. If you got to choose your own uncle, Jimmy Ryan would be an excellent pick. His late band The Blood Oranges is considered one of the originators of ‘alt-country.' I don't know what that is actually supposed to mean, but I do know that the Blood Oranges played really cool music. I first got to know Jimmy through his playing with Catie Curtis and because I went to see his band Wooden Leg all the time. Now he's making 'solo' records which I love because his songs kick so much ass. 

Jimmy and I played together in The Family Affair (a mega-band extravaganza that also included the Twinemen and Maybe Baby) and he's also backed me up on a bunch of shows here and there, including one ill-fated tour of the Southeast which was more or less snowed out. This gave us more time than anyone should ever have to hang out in a motel in Winston-Salem and watch the History Channel, but not nearly enough time to play music on stage together, so I am always hoping the chance will arise again.  In the meantime do yourself a favor and check out his tunes.