jim black
keyboards/12-string guitar/vocals
Jim did not put the “Black” in Black Dog Hollow, but at 6-foot-5, he did significantly increase the band’s average height. He’s also BDH’s unofficial publicist, agent of sarcasm, and music director, drawing up the song lists for each show and helping to keep the music flowing.

Jim tickles the ivories on keyboard-heavy BDH favorites such as Jump, and adds 12-string acoustic guitar on tunes like Take It Easy. He leads the way vocally on Rod Stewart's Maggie Mae and Van Morrison's Into the Mystic, and he comprises the BDH horn section on a number of funk and dance tunes.

A fan of progressive rock, Jim’s favorite musical acts include Genesis, Yes, The Who, Rush, Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard, Marillion, and The Flower Kings. He’s been influenced musically by the likes of Pete Townsend, Peter Gabriel, Neal Morse, Billy Joel and Paul McCartney.

In addition to Black Dog Hollow, Jim performs regularly with the Stray Dogs acoustic act. He writes for and edits a men’s health publication and does other freelance writing, editing and graphic design work. He and his wife reside in Uniontown.

 

"I love to experiment with notes, and I enjoy seeing
what I and this gifted group of
musicians can accomplish."