Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Porter.
Hi Jim, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up on Long Island in a middle class family that was very musical. I learned to play guitar by ear at the age of 6 or 7? I played in groups during my high school years and got married to my high school sweetheart. We started a family and I had to focus on working , but never stopped playing guitar when time allowed. In 1993 my job offered me a transfer to Phoenix, which I accepted and has been my home ever since. As the kids grew to adults, it allowed me time to focus on music.
I loved writing and recording, so I set up a small home studio & started working with different musicians in town. We played a club or event here & there, and eventually the original music was put on the back burner, and a variety of covers found their way on the set list. From 2012 to today we have grown to be one of the more popular variety dance bands in the valley! We do approximately 180 shows a year. Truly something we never anticipated
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road had no map or even pavement! Our core group has come from many different music backgrounds. What we found ourselves doing was incorporating many music genres into our sets and learned to develop an energy to get people dancing. We would mix Smokey Robinson with Steely Dan! Michael Jackson with the Doobie Brothers? People started liking the mix of tunes we did and we developed a good following. The tribute shows had started becoming very popular, and we jumped at the opportunity and focused on offering something other than “outside the line” While the road has had bumps, I’m happy to say our train has good suspension
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As with most everyone nowadays, they have a day job and a side thing doing what the love. Having had both, I have retired from my day job after 30 years, and now can focus on what I love, which is music. Funny thing is even with the extra time, there’s still not enough time in the day! Being the manager & member of one of the busiest bands in the state is non stop. The band members become family and we try to help each other in any way we can. It’s my job to keep everyone working. That means scheduling, calling new venues, following up. It’s not an easy thing to do, but has to be done. You can’t take things for granted. IIt’s because of this, that our group/family stays together. We all do our part to make it successful for each of us.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Getting married to the love of my life for 44 years, has to be in the top 5!
Pricing:
- Visit our website or call to discuss pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://outsidethelinemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outsidethelinemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outsidethelinemusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-porter-7b57b749/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/outsidetheline_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/outsidethelinemusic
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/soultowntrain/
