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Biography - Jimmy "The King" Born: March 28, 1953 in Benton Harbor, MIJimmy "The King" Schrader is a veteran classic rock and original guitar player. He has recorded three albums, appeared in concert with national acts, and performed in hundreds of US and International cities. Schrader's blistering guitar captures his energy and excitement in each performance. Jimmy is part German and Irish. His Dad was German and part Irish; his Mother was a full-blooded German. The Schrader's arrived in the United States in 1914.Jim traveled to the Michigan State School for the Blind by bus and lived on campus until he graduated in 1973. As he describes it, the food was "institutional style" and he gave away his macaroni and cheese every time they served it. Jimmy is not a cheese fan! While at Michigan State School for the blind in 1964, Jimmy picked up his first guitar. it was one owned by the school music department. He received his first acoustic guitar for Christmas in 1965. After that he purchased his first electric guitar in 1967, in 1970 another electric was purchased. The next one he purchased was "MELVIN #1," a 1965 STRAT, and then came "LUCRECIA" a 1974 Les Paul. After that "MELVIN," a 1957 STRAT was purchased in 1975 from some guy just out of prison. "MELVIN," his most famous guitar, was his favorite main man until it was stolen in 1998. "MELVIN" is survived by his “STRAT” sisters "57'NADINE," "99' SALLY," and "93'CANDY." In 1968 coming out of his Motown stage, Jimmy was drawn to the electric sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and began jammin' with the guys in school. He joined his first band, "Sights and Sounds," playing 50's tunes in 1973. In 1976 he met his long time friend James Watkins (drummer) and started up a band called "Ruby." The band changed their name in about six months to "White Summer," with Jimmy Schrader and James Watkins as the nucleus of the band. They worked as "White Summer" for 16 years writing, recording, and performing. In recognition of their talent as voted by their fans, fellow musicians, the music trade and Jam Entertainment News "White Summer" won the 1990 Jammy Award for Best Classic Rock Band."White Summer" has performed in concerts with Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Black Oak Arkansas, The Buckinghams, Arlo Guthrie, Don Henley, and Michael McDonald.After "White Summer" dissolved in 1991, Jimmy joined "Blue Steel." He played with this rockin' country band for about six months, until Barbara and Jimmy moved to New Jersey for her career. During the three years Barbara and Jimmy were in New Jersey, Jimmy worked with "Naughty Milton," a band that brought new life to the Blues. They didn't just 'play' a song - it was a performance. Their songs took on a distinctive style and quality all their own. Rarely does such a combination of talented musicians come together. After moving back to Florida in 1995, Jimmy hooked up with "Blue Steel" again for the next few years until he joined the "Michael J. Band" in the summer of 2000. Michael J. moved to Minnesota in 2002, and Jimmy freelanced while he looked and looked until he hooked up with the right combination of energy and talent in the band "Sidewinder” in April of 2003. Sidewinder reformed late in 2006 and is now called Bad Mannerz. Once again Jimmy has found a rare combination of musicians with outstanding energy and talent to perform with.A typical night for Jimmy is going to work and loving what he is doing. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy's version of "The Star Spangled Banner" is a blistering success at each performance, often receiving the biggest ovation of the night. Jimmy loves to bungee jump and plays the slots. While gambling in Biloxi, MS he went on his first thrill jump. After that the jump has become the highlight of each trip to Biloxi. Barbara was not thrilled with the first jump and will not go herself, but after a few jumps she is able to take pictures and watch while Jimmy goes "Up-Up & Away"!!Jimmy is blind, so it was love at first touch! Jimmy and Barbara met in 1987 via a singles magazine that they both had ads in and were married before going to New Jersey in 1991. She sent him a letter and a picture (go figure), which his roommate almost threw away! But, they connected and have been totally committed to each other ever since. Jimmy has driven a car & boat, flown a plane and goes bungee jumping whenever possible. So far he has not gone water skiing but someday he will do that as well. His motto is; "All things are possible given patience, the opportunity and guts". To be successful Jimmy says, "PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and give yourself a large dose of HUMILITY."
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