Jim Brady is a New England-based singer, guitarist, & multi-instrumentalist in the folk ballad tradition of Ireland and Scotland.  He performs an extensive mix of crowd-pleasing Irish and Scottish drinking songs, love songs, rousing sing-a-longs, and patriotic rebel ballads culled from centuries of folk song tradition.  

 

Known for his powerful, honest vocals, dynamic guitar playing, and dedication to the roots of folk music, Jim has honed his craft over many years performing throughout Boston and New England.   Immersing himself completely in the folk ballad tradition, Jim lived in Belfast, Ireland where he researched, collected, and performed songs from some of the best ballad singers in Ireland, particularly Belfast’s Terry “Cruncher” O’Neill, an enormous influence on Jim.

 

Jim is a graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music and has a Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology from the Queen’s University, Belfast where his research focused on Irish traditional music performance styles and the history of Irish folk song.  He also studied the Irish language and played in a Belfast bagpipe band.

 

In 2018 Jim released two studio singles “The Wind That Shakes the Barley”, and "Whiskey On A Sunday".  Mixing acoustic guitars and tin whistle with electric guitars and percussion, “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” is a dynamic interpretation of the traditional folk ballad, a tale of heartbreak and vengeance set during the 1798 United Irishmen uprising in Wexford.  "Whiskey On a Sunday" is Jim's interpretation of the classic song, with new lyrics and original arrangement.  Jim performed all instruments and produced the two studio singles as well.  

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In 2018, Jim began his performance residency at Bull Feeney's in the Old Port of Portland, Maine where he performed every Wednesday and Saturday night.  Once Bull Feeney's reopened in 2022, Jim continued his Wednesday night residency until Bull Feeney's shut down in late March 2023.  

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Jim held a Friday night performance residency at Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub in Kennebunk, ME from 2019-2021.

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In 2020, Jim was featured in WROL 950am Boston Irish Radio's "Backyard Brilliance" series where Jim performed live in the studio.

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In early 2022, Jim launched his solo side-project 'DAS WöLF'.  DAS WöLF's repertoire is all Jim's favorite acoustic rock n' roll & country songs from David Bowie, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd to Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, the Barenaked Ladies, Led Zeppelin & Skynyrd.  

 

He has also performed at the Old Orchard Beach Scottish Festival & Highland Games from 2021-2023 and at the famous Black Rose in Quincy Market, Boston, MA.

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Jim was a featured artist in the documentary "The City of Servers" which premiered at the 13th Annual Maine Mayhem Film Festival in May 2023.

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Jim lives in the woods of Maine with his German Shepherd Bob Marley The Brave.