Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Madsen.
Hi Jim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Music has always been a passion for me, and I’ve always felt a connection to the blues as a music genre. We’ve been playing as “Big Train” in Oklahoma for the past dozen years with different musicians. In the past 6 years or so we have started focusing solely on the blues.
I love relaying the history of an artist or song when before we play. I think it’s important for people to understand the history behind the songs and the singer. I also like to personalize it for the audience.
Basically, we are trying to keep the blues alive one song at a time.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
When we say we’re a blues band, people automatically assume that it’s sad music.
And that’s certainly true. However, the blues can be a way to put a voice to loss. The blues can also be raucous, joyous, or full of innuendo. The blues has evolved into a voice for all emotions. And when we play we cover each and every one.
Trying to communicate that to venue owners who are unfamiliar with the genre can sometimes be a challenge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are the only music group that does what we do.
We exclusively play the blues from artists from the 1920s to today’s emerging artists. We are keeping the blues alive one song at a time.
We definitely are the only ones to have daily posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook about the history of the blues, blues artists, and the fight for equal rights for all. I’ve even been added as a page admin for the Chicago Blues Society for the sole purpose of reposting our daily content.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love hearing feedback from people in the audience letting us know how much they love the blues, or a certain song.
It also makes me feel great when I get feedback on my posts. For example, here’s a comment from one of my Instagram posts:
“You guys are one of my favorite accounts on Instagram!!! I’m 70yrs. old and have been a blues fan since my teens, and I always learn something new from your posts, even about people I know. Thank you for your passion for this truly American art form. Keep up the good work!”
This is all the motivation I need to keep doing what we’re doing!
Contact Info:
- Email: BigTrainBlues@Gmail.com
- Website: https://bigtrainblues.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigtrainblues/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigTrainBlues
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigTrainBlues
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw2OfkTOGWxA3ve1h25p42Q
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/singingdogstudios/sets/live-at-hollywood-corners-07-10-2021
Image Credits
Mike “Pinebox” Lander
Casey “Curly” Saunders
Bill “Top Dog” Cummins
Jimbo “BigTrain” Madsen
